Ladysmith Black Mambazo to Perform in Troy

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Ladysmith Black Mambazo
TROY, N.Y. - Ladysmith Black Mambazo returns on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 8 p.m. to the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall to perform songs from their celebrated new release "Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu," a tribute to the iconic South African warrior and first king of the Zulu nation. The album focuses on the inherent benefits of people coming together, working in unison for the greater good and confronting obstacles, overcoming them and learning from the experience. "He [Shaka Zulu] was a warrior, an athlete, a singer, a dancer, a visionary, he was so many things," said Ladysmith founder Joseph Shabalala. "He was a diplomat, too. He could talk about differences in a civilized way, but he was also very proud. If you said, 'No, I'm not going to cooperate,' then he would say, 'Alright, let us see who is the boss.'" Assembled in the early 1960s in South Africa, the Grammy Award-winning a cappella group took the name "Ladysmith" from Shabalala's rural hometown, "Black" as a reference to oxen, the strongest of all farm animals and "Mambazo" from the Zulu word for axe, a symbol for the group's ability to chop down any singing rival who might challenge them. Their collective voices were so tight and their harmonies so polished that they were eventually banned from competitions - although they were welcome to participate strictly as entertainers. Ladysmith's first recording contract came in 1970, after a successful radio broadcast, and has since led to more than 40 recordings. The focus of the recordings is as much on preserving musical heritage as it is about entertainment. That musical heritage is isicathamiya, a music born in the mines of South Africa. Referring to themselves as "cothoza mfana," or "tip-toe guys," for the delicate steps they choreographed to avoid disturbing their guards, the black workers would entertain themselves with song and dance after the arduous six-day work week. Shabalala and the rest of Ladysmith Black Mambazo are committed to preserving isicathamiya and other forms of traditional African music, and, several years ago, began planning for a music school in South Africa where indigenous music and dance can be taught to future generations. Most widely known for their work with Paul Simon on his ground-breaking 1986 album "Graceland," Ladysmith Black Mambazo's first U.S. release a year later, "Shaka Zulu," won a Grammy in 1987 for Best Traditional Folk Album. Since then, the group has won six more Grammy nominations, and has recorded with numerous artists from around the world including Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, the Wynans, Julia Fordham, George Clinton, the Corrs and Ben Harper. Ladysmith Black Mambazo has also contributed soundtrack material for "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," "The Lion King, Part II," as well as "Coming to America," "A Dry White Season" and "Cry the Beloved Country." Regarded as cultural emissaries for South Africa, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has sparked renewed interest in the traditional music of their homeland, and brought global attention to the political and social issues facing South Africa today. Reserved seats are $30 $27 and $15 (students) and can be purchased by calling the box office at 518-273-0038 or at www.troymusichall.org. The box office opens 90 minutes prior to the performance; operations are handled weekdays at the business office at 30 Second St., 10 to 5.
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Bianchi-Barbarotta Foundation Holds Awards Banquet

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Bianchi-Barbarotta Foundation Friday honored outstanding contributors to the Berkshire County sports scene at its third annual Awards Dinner at the Polish Falcon Club.
 
The foundation supports youth sports throughout the county each year.
 
In 2025-26, those donations totaled more than $30,000 to groups ranging from youth football and cheerleading programs, Pittsfield Little League, Northern Berkshire Softball and the Pittsfield Boys and Girls Club Recreation Therapy Program, to name a few.
 
Funds raised by the foundation also go to support its annual Vera Barborotta Memorial Sportsman Scholarship, which this year went to Lee High School graduate Joey Abderhalden and Taconic grad Madeline Harrington.
 
Two other recently graduated high school standout athletes were recognized as winners of the Al Bianchi Memorial Athletes of the Year: Madison McCarthy and Cooper Calvert, both of Wahconah Regional High School.
 
Pittsfield High School girls basketball coach Kristy Conyers and Hoosac Valley boys basketball coach Matt Larabee received the foundation's Coach of the Year Awards.
 
John Castonguay received the Bianchi-Barbarotta Foundation Living Legend Award. A.J. Ziter took home the Connie Bianchi Memorial Award of Merit. And Mark Moulton rounded out the honorees with the foundation's Volunteer of the Year Award.
 
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