Invitations – A Don Laka Performance Showcase….

Kwai-Jazz muso is regarded as one of South Africa’s most versatile performers, and has become synonymous with pioneering groundbreaking collaborations – from kwaito to boeremusiek, Don Laka has experimented with them all.   It comes as no surprise therefore, that to introduce his latest album, ‘Invitations’ Don has conceptualised a performance showcase that involves an intriguing mix of musicians – from veteran Afro-Jazz giants to newcomers to the kwaito game, Don has included them all in the showcase ‘Invitations – Don Laka & Friends’ which will run from February 27th through to March 8th, 2008.   Scheduled to take place at The Nelson Mandela Theatre at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre, ‘Invitations – Don Laka & Friends’ promises to deliver the best of what South Africa has to offer, in a completely different way.  A Salt/ Real Concerts production, the concert has secured confirmation from the following artists to participate: - Ray Phiri -Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse - Judith Sephuma - Kunle - Gloria Bosman - Theo Kgosinkwe of Mafikizolo - Arno Carstens - Zonke - Palesa will be providing backup vocals.   Don Laka gives his take on the showcase. “I turned 50 this year, and it gave me a reason to look back on my career, and what I’d enjoyed most about making music. The one thing that stood out was the work I’d done with different artists or the instances where I’d worked with an unfamiliar musical genre. I thought it’d be great to pay tribute to these collaborations and musical adventures by inviting some artists who I really admire to join me as I introduced ‘Invitations’ to South Africa – and fortunately, everyone’s been as enthusiastic as I was!”   He continues -  “I’m really looking forward to a musical reunion with Ray and Sipho who I came up with in the music world, , as well as jamming with rockers like Arno Carstens and new kids on the block like Zonke. It’s going to be an incredible 10 evenings, a real musical feast!”  -          Invitations – Don Laka & Friends will take place at The Nelson Mandela Theatre at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre from February 27th – March 8th 2008. -          Tickets are available from Computicket at R155 per ticket, excluding service fee. Invitations – Don Laka & Friends is a Salt/Real Concerts production.