Eugene weekly., January 19, 2012, Page 22, Image 22

WINTER BRAVO! 2012
E U G E N E W E E K LY ’ S G U I D E T O T H E P E R F O R M I N G A R T S
Destination: Corvallis
Broadway star Tsidii Le Loka comes to The Majestic Theatre BY DANTE ZUÑIGA-WEST
C
orvallis, home to the da Vinci Days
Festival, a rising tide of excellent
breweries and Reeser Stadium, now has
one more reason for Eugeneans (and
other Oregonians) to visit this season:
Tsidii Le Loka.
An international sensation and Tony-nominated
Broadway star, the South African-born Le Loka has come
to Corvallis by way of The Majestic Theatre’s fi rst ever
artist-in-residence program. A vocalist who possesses a
staggering degree of talent, Le Loka’s arrival is a testament
to Majestic Theatre’s mission of bringing big-time acts
to Corvallis. Her distinguished career is accented by
performances with other huge names, such as Elton John,
Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Madonna.
Referred to by jazz giant Yusef Lateef as “one of the rare
vocalists of the century,” Le Loka will perform Saturday,
Jan. 21, at the Majestic Theatre Benefi t Concert with
guitarist Paul Pimster, in what is sure to be an incredible
treat for both fans and those unacquainted with the singer’s
abilities. The concert also includes an unveiling of the
newly painted theater.
Le Loka’s main focus during her residency is even
more phenomenal than the vocal tour-de-force she will put
on at the benefi t with Pimster and rumored special guest
violinist Tatiana Hargreaves. “To the Rising Sun,” Le
Loka’s multimedia performance incorporating the work of
Nina Simone, Miriam MeKeba and Odetta Holmes, will
also grace the Majestic Theatre’s stage. With poet Maya
Angelou, who has personally selected poems from her own
body of work for the performance, and sound design by
Mio Morales (known for his regular contributions to Alvin
Ailey projects), Le Loka will pay homage to female civil
rights activists of the past. “To the Rising Sun” is a rare
and spectacular performance worth driving hours to see,
but it’s only 40 minutes from Eugene.
ew
Tsidii Le Loka headlines The Majestic Theatre Benefit Concert Jan. 21, at The
Majestic Theatre; $15-$40. “To the Rising Sun” plays April 3, 5, and 7, at The
Majestic Theatre; $12-$20
TSIDII LE LOKA
Thursday, Jan. 26 • 7:30 p.m.
Beall Concert Hall
LAURA WAYTE, Voice and
DAVID RILEY, Piano
“A Romantic Evening”
featuring songs by Mompou, Strauss,
Rachmaninoff, and Schubert
$10 general, $8 students and seniors
541-346-4363 • tickets.uoregon.edu
22 JANUARY 19, 2012 EUGENE WEEKLY
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