The Minnesota Orchestra today announced the line-up for an International Day of Music celebration on Saturday, July 21, 2018, featuring performances by 19 different ensembles on three stages in and around Orchestra Hall. The International Day of Music celebrates many genres of music for all ages, with a focus on Pan-African music, inspired by the Minnesota Orchestra’s “Music for Mandela” Sommerfest theme, which celebrates the centenary of Nelson Mandela. At a special Pan-African marketplace around Orchestra Hall, vendors will offer food, beverages and handicrafts, and adults and children can participate in a variety of music and art activities.

All International Day of Music events are free and open to the public—no ticket required—with the exception of the 8 p.m. Minnesota Orchestra concert at Orchestra Hall (see details below), for which a paid ticket is required. Performances take place on three stages simultaneously: on the WCCO Plaza at the corner of S. 11th Street and S. Marquette Ave, in Orchestra Hall’s Target Atrium and in the main auditorium of Orchestra Hall.

The event begins at noon outside on the WCCO Plaza (across the street from Orchestra Hall) with high-energy performances by South African a cappella trio Insingizi joined by the Heart & Soul Drum Academy and the MacPhail Bucket Drummers. Throughout the day this venue also features musical performances by violinist Ernest Bisong, Marimba Africa and Riverside Wada Jir, as well as dance performances by the Somali Museum Dance Troupe and Duniya Drum and Dance.

Inside Orchestra Hall performances take place in both the Target Atrium and the main auditorium, highlights of which include a string quartet of Minnesota Orchestra musicians playing works by South African composer Bongani Ndodana-Breen and a concert by Minneapolis’ Justice Choir. Vocal ensemble 29:11, Papa Shalita and the Global Music Alliance, drumHeart, pianist Luke Turner, vocalist Bruce A. Henry, the Kevin Washington Trio and DJ Ander Other are also featured during the International Day of Music. Bringing the marathon to the finish line is a special performance by Minnesota’s own TU Dance ensemble—who will perform Lady, set to music by Ladysmith Black Mambazo—in Orchestra Hall’s main auditorium from 11:25 p.m. to midnight.

Free ride passes for Metro Transit are available to download, and directions to Orchestra Hall and specific parking ramp addresses are available at minnesotaorchestra.org.
A complete International Day of Music schedule is found below or by clicking here.

Minnesota Orchestra performs Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony

The Minnesota Orchestra, led by Music Director Osmo Vänskä, performs a full-Orchestra concert in Orchestra Hall’s main auditorium at 8 p.m. on July 21. The concert features the world premiere of Harmonia Ubuntu by South African composer Bongani Ndodana-Breen—a work that was commissioned by Classical Movements as part of the Eric Daniel Helms New Music Program—and a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, with South African soloists, the Minnesota Chorale and additional choirs. This is a paid ticketed event, but free Day of Music activities continue in the lobby and outside Orchestra Hall during the concert. Tickets are available at minnesotaorchestra.org and by phone at (612) 371-5656.

MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MUSIC
Complete Schedule
Saturday, July 21, 2018, 12 noon to 12 midnight

Events are held simultaneously at WCCO Plaza, in Orchestra Hall’s main auditorium and in Orchestra Hall’s Target Atrium

*All events are free with the exception of the 8 p.m. Minnesota Orchestra concert, which requires a paid ticket.

For details about each performance, view the attached complete schedule (PDF) or click here.

WCCO Plaza (Corner of S. 11th Street and S. Marquette Ave)

12 noon to 1:15 p.m. Insingizi / Heart & Soul Drum Academy / MacPhail Bucket Drummers
1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Ernest Bisong
3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Somali Museum Dance Troupe
4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Duniya Drum and Dance
6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Marimba Africa
7:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. Riverside Wada Jir

Orchestra Hall Auditorium

2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. drumHeart
3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. 29:11
4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Papa Shalita and the Global Music Alliance
8 p.m. Minnesota Orchestra
11 p.m. to 11:25 p.m. Insingizi
11:25 p.m. to midnight TU Dance

Target Atrium at Orchestra Hall

12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Luke Turner
2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Minnesota Orchestra String Quartet
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Justice Choir
5 p.m. to 5:45 pm. Bruce A. Henry
6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Kevin Washington Trio
10:15 p.m. DJ Ander Other


OH+

All day: Free extras curated with community partners and inspired by the Music for Mandela initiative take place in the lobby of Orchestra Hall.

Music for Mandela Sponsors

The Minnesota Orchestra’s tour to South Africa is funded by generous contributions from an anonymous couple, and from the Douglas and Louise Leatherdale Fund for Music. Additional funding for the Music for Mandela project is provided by a consortium of corporations based in Minnesota that to date includes Ecolab, TCF Financial Corporation, Medtronic Foundation, Land O’Lakes, 3M, U.S. Bank, Thor Construction, Target and Pentair.


Ticket Purchasing Information

The International Day of Music events are free and open to the public. Tickets to the July 21 Minnesota Orchestra concert and additional Sommerfest concerts are now available online at minnesotaorchestra.org and by calling 612-371-5656 (612-371-5642 for subscriptions) or 800-292-4141.

All programs, artists, dates, times and prices subject to change.

The Star Tribune is the Minnesota Orchestra’s media partner for the 2017-18 season.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

###
Click here to read this press release in your browser, or open the press release in the attached PDF.
Click here for more news from the Minnesota Orchestra.

PRESS CONTACT:
Gwen Pappas, Director of Communications, Minnesota Orchestra (612) 371-5628 • gpappas@mnorch.org
Emma Plehal, Communications Manager and Assistant Editor, Minnesota Orchestra (612) 371-5625 • eplehal@mnorch.org