Hailing from Soweto, a township outside of Johannesburg and home of Nelson Mandela and South Africa’s democratic movement, Soweto Gospel Choir continues to inspire audiences around the world with their powerful blend of African gospel, freedom songs and international classics. The choir first appeared in the Beaches Fine Arts Series in 2018 with a tribute to Mandela.
The singers will present a program at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Seating is first come, first served.
This new concert by the three-time Grammy-winning choir commemorates South Africa’s freedom movement and the civil rights movement in the United States.
“Hope — It’s Been a Long Time Coming” opens with a rousing program of South African freedom songs that inspired their Rainbow Nation. Then the choir’s uplifting performance moves to the United States with renditions of music from the civil rights movement, including works by legendary artists James Brown, Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield and Aretha Franklin.
The choir will also perform some special Christmas music selections. A reception follows with artwork by Chris Clark.
St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church is located at 465 12th Ave. N., Jacksonville Beach.
