Soweto Gospel Choir comes to Miami to celebrate Mandela

MIAMI — The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County presents the Miami debut of Soweto Gospel Choir, South Africa’s premier performance group, during their “Divine Decade” tour.

As part of the center’s 2013-2014 Live at Knight Series, led by their director Beverly Bryer, the choir launches Black History Month at the Arsht Center with a tribute to Nelson Mandela and celebrates 10 years of hits on Feb. 5 at 8:30 p.m. in the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall located at 1300 Biscayne Blvd. Miami.

Tickets are currently on sale for $35, $45, $55, and can be purchased by calling the Arsht Center box office at 305-949-6722 or online at arshtcenter.org

“The remarkably beautiful, inspirational voices of Africa’s famed Soweto Gospel Choir will bring our community together to launch Black History Month in Miami,” said John Richard, president and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center. “In December 2013, the Arsht Center hosted a touching tribute to Nelson Mandela, and now we’re proud to continue celebrating Mr. Mandela’s inspiring legacy with this soul-stirring concert by his most beloved South African choir.”

Winner of one Emmy, two Grammys, three South African Music Awards and one Oscar nomination for their song Down to Earth from the blockbuster movie Wall-E, Soweto Gospel Choir is considered to be South Africa’s leading choir.

In addition to their music, the choir serves as UN Envoys for Africa and as ambassadors for Nelson Mandela’s 46667 social justice campaign.

The choir, which was formed in 2002, has performed for President Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, as well as received praise for its performances with artist including Bono, Aretha Franklin, Robert Plant, Celine Dion, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Wonder, John Legend and others.