A film about Nelson Mandela’s favourite singers, The Legends of Madiba, will be screened free of charge at the Creating Centre de Créativité on Sunday, February 11 at 2:30pm, as part of the Arbor Gallery’s celebration of Black History Month.
The Legends of Madiba introduces us to five remarkable South African performers who kept the spirit of Mandela alive through their music during the brutal years of apartheid. Canadian/South African singer Lorraine Klaasen, daughter of one of the legends, Thandie Klaasen, introduces to these women who demonstrate the vital role that music plays in tackling racism and oppression.
The women share their music and their experiences in interviews and stunning performances. As Mandela himself noted, these legends “Have a hunger to sing.” As Arbor Gallery Chair Sylvie Bouchard notes, “The music alone will have viewers on their feet.”
Meet the director
In addition to the free documentary, the film’s director, Helen Henshaw, will be on hand to discuss it and take questions afterwards. Henshaw, who lives in Hudson, and is an experienced filmmaker, traveled to South Africa with Klaasen to film the legends.
The film had a popular World Premiere at the Hot Docs International Film Festival in Toronto in 2003. It was also featured at the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique in Montréal and the African Diaspora Festival in New York City in 2004. It has also been screened at festivals in Rwanda and Brazil in 2005, and had a three-year-run on Bravo! TV in Canada, 2005 – 2008.
Although the screening is free, space at Creating Centre de Créativité is limited so reservations are recommended. Visit the gallery or go to [email protected] to book your place.
Reminder: Meet the artists
Also happening this week at the Arbor Gallery is the Jab Djab concert at 7 pm on Thursday, February 28. And on Saturday February 11, meet the artists currently exhibiting at the gallery, Dannielle Samuel, Héritier Bilaka and Dayva Milne. They will be there from 2:30 to 4:30 pm.
Arbor Gallery – Galérie Arbor is located at 36 Home Avenue, in the heart of Vankleek Hill. The gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 4pm. More information about programming and events is available on Arbor Gallery’s Facebook page, website or Twitter, by subscribing to the gallery’s newsletter at www.arborgallery.org or by email at [email protected].
