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Millicent Chapanda

A Millicent Chapanda performance is a celebration Shona-style that calls on dancing ancestral spirits to rise through the trance of mbira’s cascading notes to answer the call of the voice & the insistent pulse of deep ngoma drum & hosho shakers

Since arriving in the UK 20 years ago, Millie has been an essential part of the lively Zimbabwean cultural diaspora, first recording & touring with the legendary Batanai Marimba and World Muzik Makers, then collaborating with Anna Mudeka & Kuda Matimba’s Harare band before performing & touring with the late great Chartwell Dutiro in his last years. She has performed onstage at WOMAD, London Barbican & Royal Festival Hall, at Shambala, Afrika Hertme (Netherlands), Moseley Folk & Arts Festival The Symphony Hall (THSH), Rush Hour Blues – Jazzlines, IKON Gallery, Sofar Sounds Manchester, Journeys Festival(ArtReach), Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham Museum & Arts Gallery to name a few, Sofar Sounds Manchester & countless other festivals and arts venues over the years.

Millie is also the founder of Mbira Blues, a UK forum that shares & connects traditional mbira musicians, mbira enthusiasts, academics & cultural activists, and is a key member of the Midlands arts & refugees network Celebrating Sanctuary Birmingham.

“Mbira musician, Millicent Chapanda just exudes presence and confidence, she is a great entertainer and that’s no mean feat. From the get go, or from the very first lengthy Mhururu, Millicent had the packed audience in the palm of her hand. I haven’t heard or seen anything like it since… Never. Since I’d never seen such a joyous performance so riotously embraced by an audience.” – Outsideleft, 2020

Upcoming Events

Singing With Nightingales

Location: Sussex

Time: 7pm - 12:30am

25

may

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The Nest Collective

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