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NEW YORK, June 2014 – International Mandela Day 2014 will reverberate globally this year in a new musical production, Footsteps of Mandela, capping a day of commemoration marking the first birthday since the passing on December 5, 2013 of South Africa’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela.
Jazzical® composer, pianist and producer Joel A. Martin and internationally renowned South African producer Welcome Msomi present an original musical production inspired by songwriter Stan Satlin’s Auratorio Americana, a choral work celebrating world peace, freedom and human dignity. A drumming circle performing at The Riverside Church Park will inaugurate the international Drums of the World emanating from New York and Johannesburg, South Africa to countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, South and North America.
Legendary Metropolitan Opera star Simon Estes ,Tony/Emmy Award-winning Broadway actress Liz Callaway , and Monet’s Garden artist Josee Nadeau will perform. Ms. Nadeau will paint live during the performance. The keynote speaker, South African Consul General George Monyemangene and United Nations Senior Campaign Officer, Margo Jacobs (Nothing But Nets) are the speakers.
Footsteps of Mandela caps International Mandela Day commemorative events, beginning with daytime proceedings at the United Nations General Assembly and other remembrances around the world.
Proceeds from Footsteps of Mandela will benefit The “Nothing But Nets” Program (to stop the spread of Malaria) with the Simon Estes Foundation/United Nations Foundation.
www.footstepsofmandela.org
The performance and high definition broadcast will take place on Friday, July 18, 7 pm, at the Riverside Church, widely considered to be the most beautiful church in North America and has stood for freedom and social justice for decades. Nelson Mandela visited Riverside in 1990 just after he was released from Robben Island after being imprisoned there for 27 years, and again in 2005 on his final trip to North America.
Senior Minister Emeritus Rev. Dr. James Alexander Forbes, Jr. said of Mandela’s visits to The Riverside Church, “We are stirred to action and honored to host this important event. Let July 18, 2014 count as a reminder and a resounding call to freedom and justice for people everywhere. May we continue to follow the Footsteps of Mandela toward a peaceful and just world for now and future generations.”