US musician to join local Songbird Tour at festival

[caption id="attachment_38990" align="alignright" width="250"] TAKING OTHERS UNDER HER WING: American musician Laura Burhenn of The Mynabirds band[/caption]

AMERICAN singer and songwriter Laura Burhenn will perform at this year's National Arts Festival – which opens tomorrow in Grahamstown – as part of The Songbird Tour celebrating creative women.The national cultural bonanza attracts artists from around the world as well as the cream of the crop from South Africa and Burhenn's concerts will be among more than 500 productions featured in this, the festival's 40th year.

"What I've read about the National Arts Festival seems really incredible.

"I just love that it's been such a strong and lasting platform for inclusion and free speech and artistic adventure for so many years in South Africa," she said.

Burhenn added that the festival reminded her of the power music has to bring people together.

Burhenn is the dynamic front woman of the soul folk band The Mynabirds. She has also toured the world in indie mega bands The Postal Service and Bright Eyes, but this is her first visit to South Africa.

"I'm so excited for this format: playing with some incredible established women in different cities, and of course the whole mentorship aspect of the tour," Burhenn said.

This mentorship programme is a unique pilot project that aims to uplift two singers from disadvantaged communities and give them the opportunity to develop real experience in a tour environment.

According to public relations officer Liny Kruger, The Songbird Tour will emphasise celebrating the creative woman. It is aimed at being an exchange that serves as an interaction between established international artists, up-and-coming South African performers and local talent within disadvantaged communities.

Burhenn will perform on July 11 and 12 at the Rhodes Chapel. As well as her festival gigs, she will also be performing in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and at various other venues around the country.

Tickets can be booked on 0860-002-004; further details in the festival programme. - Sinesipho Mbandazayo