“Fashion” and having fun on a budget!



First, FASHION!




We’ve received some questions regarding the scarves worn by the tour committee during the South Africa Tour presentation at retreat.  Those scarves were African kente cloths and were suggested and generously loaned by member Gerry James.  Though not widely used in South Africa, we thought it would be an interesting, visual way to introduce some African culture while also helping to identify the committee.  We asked Gerry to explain a little about what they are and how they are used. 







What is a kente cloth?  Kente cloth patterns are traditionally chosen by the various regions and tribes after the king has rejected the patterns he does not like. Kente cloths are frequently worn in the USA by African American persons in choirs, black fraternities and sororities. However white persons or persons of any race in these groups proudly wear their kente cloths. 







Was it OK for us to wear a kente cloth?  For now anyone can wear a kente cloth. It’s not only reserved for African persons or by region; although various tribes in various regions have their specific patterns and colors. Many people wear the kente cloths for many reasons. It’s more symbolic in the US and indicates solidarity. This is reason enough for us to wear them while at retreat. 







Why were we all wearing different colors?  Different regional tribes may have different patterns. The BGMC can be considered our “tribe”. Since we are comprised of members from different places and walks of life, we can be a tribe of different patterns. 







Next up is this awesome article found by Tom Weisand.  The NY Times' Frugal Travel writer Lucas Peterson published an interesting take on Cape Town, highlighting  "Upscale" and "Frugal" ways to spend a day in Cape Town, including meals and activities. Interesting contrast, depending on the amount you want to spend.







https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/08/travel/cape-town-budget.html?_r=0







Enjoy and we’ll talk soon!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Remembering A Friend - Bill Williamson

Image
Editor’s note: As we prepare for our tour to South Africa next June, we are recalling the effect that HIV and AIDS has had on our chorus. We will be meeting with groups and individuals in Johannesburg and Cape Town who continue to be effected by the global pandemic, where about 20% of the adult population are fighting the disease and medical help is not always available. This is the story of former baritone Bill Williamson, whose love of life and passion for the arts is recalled by his dear friend John Strumwasser. John tells a story that takes us from Bill’s first rehearsal in 1982 to his death more than a decade later and even to seeing his family members at concerts in subsequent years. Bill’s story reminds us of how much we as a community and we as a chorus have lost. There was a lot to take in on meeting Bill Williamson the first time, which for me was when he joined the BGMC in 1982, after our first concert. He was very handsome, he loved to laugh and he was warm and
Read more

World-Renowned South African Chorus coming to Sanders Theater Feb 13th @ 3pm

Image
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a South African male choral group singing in the vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his 1986 album Graceland, and have won multiple awards, including four Grammy Awards. With the power of gospel and the precision of Broadway, Ladysmith Black Mambazo is the undisputed king of mbube, South African a cappella singing. The group came together in the early 1960s and continues to thrill audiences around the world with its strong, proud melodies harmonized in layers of call and response.They were formed by Joseph Shabalala in 1960 and later became one of South Africa's most prolific recording artists, with their releases receiving gold and platinum disc honours.[1] The group has since become a mobile academy, teaching people about South Africa and its culture. They will be coming to Boston to perform at the Sanders Theater in Harvard Square,  Cambridge on Sunday, February 13th 
Read more

Member Perspectives: Jim Anderson on the Impact of the HIV/AIDS Crisis on BGMC

Image
As we prepare for our exciting tour to South Africa next June, we are recalling the effect that HIV and AIDS has had on our chorus. We will be meeting with groups and individuals in Johannesburg and Cape Town who continue to be effected by the global pandemic, where about 20% of the adult population are fighting the disease and medical help is not always available. This is the story of former baritone Larry Poitras, a dear friend of chorus founding member and current baritone Jim Anderson, who bravely helped Larry at the end of his life to die with dignity and comfort. Jim describes how a vibrant and talented friend was lost during the dark days before effective treatments were available. In 1992, those diagnosed with AIDS  likely faced a certain and excoriating death. The full impact of the AIDS epidemic  hit to BGMC in the mid to late 80’s and we were all terrified. And it hit hard. During this time, we sang at more memorials than we could have imagined, many times, se
Read more