SiYAYA: Photo by Kurt MosesSouth African townships are overflowing with talented young people - singers, dancers and musicians. Poverty, the lack of opportunities and HIV/AIDS often results in all of this talent going undiscovered. Rev. Spiwo Xapile, director of the Zwane Community Centre in Guguletu, South Africa and Bongani Magatyana are determined to change this. Bongani Magatyana, an accomplished musician and composer, has formed SiYAYA - a performing group made up of 12 musicians who live in the townships surrounding Cape Town. In January of 2004 Magatyana held auditions and within a month the newly formed group was rehearsing daily at the Zwane Centre. Very quickly, word got out about this exciting new group and offers began coming in for SiYAYA to perform throughout South Africa, including an invitation to perform at Cape Town's prestigious jazz festival. Within a year, SiYAYA had recorded their first CD. In May of 2005, SiYAYA made their U.S. debut in Minneapolis. The Open Arms community was overwhelmed by their talent and the wonderful response from people.

SiYAYA's music is a fusion of traditional African songs, opera, jazz and pop. Musical director, Magatyana, arranges and composes most of the material as well as choreographs the numbers. In every concert, SiYAYA does AIDS education through music. Their songs on the ABC's of AIDS - abstain, be faithful, use condoms - are the highlight of their performances. Now SiYAYA returns to the United States for their third tour. Their music is exhilarating. They are not only entertaining - they are inspiring. This is a group you won't want to miss.

Open Arms is a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis that prepares and delivers meals to people living with chronic and progressive diseases. Open Arms has had a partnership with the Zwane Centre in Guguletu, South Africa since 2000. For more information on Open Arms’ programs and services, call 612-872-1152 or visit www.openarmsmn.org.

Tickets $21 from Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), Cedar Outlets, and online at Ticketweb.