Africa Concert
Her Majesty's Theatre
Sunday 30 November


A showcase of the artistic talents of Adelaide's growing African community, the Africa Concert treated audience members to a range of acts from an impressive array of performers. While a few of the acts on the bill were unfortunately unable to make it, twelve did, with the resulting show lasting about three hours. The performing artists came from a diverse range of communities, Liberia, Sudan, Ethiopia and South Africa ones just some of the nationalities represented. While many of the acts revolved around traditional drumming and dancing, there were some exceptions, such as a routine by standup comic Charles Onzi, a few hip-hop songs performed by a couple of artists involved in something called the Multigrain Project, and some traditional songs performed by Sudanese singer Ajak Kwai, who'd come over from Melbourne for the event. There was also a preview of a play called The Magic Waterhole, which will be performed in primary schools all over the state next year.

Set against a backdrop of potted palms and traditional African drums, the Africa Concert was visually impressive, the artists performing in some often quite stunning costumes (those of the Liberian Cultural Troupe and (Burundian) City International Gospel Choir were particularly eye-catching). Barring the occasional minor hiccup, the performances were all well-executed, several of them made all the more impressive by the fact that some of the artists involved in them were very young (the Ethiopian Dancers was one particularly youthful act, its oldest members appearing to still be in their teens). From a musical perspective, the acts did not disappoint, the drumming that was an integral component of many of them quite mesmerising, with the singing equally captivating (that of the aforementioned gospel choir a particular highlight). The performers showed a great deal of energy and enthusiasm, as did the show's two emcees - one Liberian, the other Tanzanian - and the audience itself, which seemed to comprise a fairly even mix of African and non-African members. All in all, an enjoyable show and an eye-opening one too - it never ceases to amaze me what musical and other artistic talent exists in our own backyard.

James Brazel