Tony Nominated Artist Tsidii Le Loka To Perform In Concert; Star Of "The Lion King" To Give Two Special Showcases

TSIDII LE LOKA, the performer who originated the part of "Rafiki" in "The Lion King" on Broadway, will take center stage in New York City when she appears in concert for two very special showcase events on July 16 and 17. The native of the southern African kingdom of Lesotho will present her original compositions as well as cover a range of classic and cultural songs, accompanied by a band of seasoned musicians.

(PRWEB) July 7, 2006 -- TSIDII LE LOKA, the performer who originated the part of "Rafiki" in "The Lion King" on Broadway, will take center stage in New York City when she appears in concert for two very special showcase events on July 16 and 17. The native of the southern African kingdom of Lesotho will present her original compositions as well as cover a range of classic and cultural songs, accompanied by a band of seasoned musicians.

On Sunday, July 16, TSIDII will appear at famed Joe's Pub where she will debut songs and perform creative interpretations, joined by Grammy Award winning music director Oriente Lopez along with stellar acoustic musicians and backing vocalists. The following night, Monday July 17, she will take the stage for a very special evening presented by the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the African Cultural Institute. In celebration of the Kingdom of Lesotho and the birthday of King Letsie III, TSIDII will stage "Song On Sky Mountain," a theatrical concert with poetry. Joining TSIDII will be special guests Amajuba, five South African performers of traditional dance and stunning a cappella harmonies.

Nominated for a Tony Award, and winner of the Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Drama League and EW Awards for "Outstanding Performance in a Musical" for her breathtaking performance as "Rafiki" in "The Lion King," TSIDII will debut new songs, and present creative interpretations spanning sounds from her Lesotho and Southern African roots to the rhythms of Spain, South American and American soul. She describes her music as "a joy for the senses, an opening for the heart, and food for the soul."

Born into a royal family in Lesotho, TSIDII is actually a titled African Princess. Recently named the Cultural Ambassador of Lesotho, she is passionate about bringing awareness to the crisis of AIDS in her country. "There is a 35 per cent rate of AIDS in a population of two million," she said, "and I feel a profound sense of responsibility to champion the cause. A trust for AIDS orphans has been established by Britain's Prince Harry and the Lesotho political representative in London, himself a Prince and brother of King Letsie III."

TSIDII has brought her electrifying performances and multi-faceted artistry to international audiences. Her composition, "Rafiki Mourns" is included in the Grammy Award winning album of "The Lion King On Broadway," sharing the honor with Elton John, Tim Rice, Julie Taymor, Hans Zimmer and others. The supremely talented Princess has also been awarded the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement in Musical Theatre from The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters. Prior to coming to the United State in her mid teens, The Star Newspaper named TSIDII at the age of 18 the most promising Artist in South Africa.

Her concert career performances, festivals, international tours and recordings include appearances with a roster of world-class stars such as Sting, Elton John, Madonna, Harry Belafonte, Miriam Makeba, Dionne Warwick, Youssou N'Dour, Roberta Flack, Max Roach and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. With the invitation of her now late mentor Anneline Malebo, ex-singer of the group Joy (known as "South Africa's Supremes"), TSIDII started her career as a member of the top South African trio Shadiii, with Anneline Malebo and Faith Kekana.

Her film and TV credits include lead roles in two Stephen King made-for-television movies ("Rose Red" and "The Diary Of Ellen Rimbauer") as well as an appearance on "Law And Order."    Her television special "Caught In The Act" on WGBY won the Iris Award for best local program and the TV special TSIDII LE LOKA IN CONCERT aired on major networks, rebroadcast several times by popular demand. She was the only performer invited to perform at Dr. Nelson Mandela's first International Press Conference in Johannesburg after his release from prison.

TSIDII holds two degrees: a BA in Economics and a BA in Music (both Magna Cum Laude / honors from The University of Massachusetts, Amherst).

Joe's Pub is located at 425 Lafayette Street. Tickets are $17 in advance, $ 20 at the door; www.joespub.com Showtime is 7:30 PM.

The Schomburg Center is located at 103 West 135th Street. 212-491-2206. Tickets are $ 16 members and $ 20 non-members. Showtime is 7:00 PM

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