Charismatic Zimbabwean master musician Vitalis “Samaita” Botsa creates

gorgeous waves of sound with his mbira, connecting the living with the

ancestors. “I’m just the car, it’s the spirits doing the driving, making the music,”

he says. Visiting from his village in Zimbabwe for duo tour with Erica Azim,

Botsa is presenting mbira, an ancient form of sacred music played by the Shona

people for over 1,000 years.

Mbira also refers to the musical instrument with metal keys plucked by two

thumbs and one forefinger, creating calming yet invigorating polyphony and

polyrhythm. Musicians play interlocking parts, and the tradition includes

extensive improvisation. Century after century, the mbira instrument and its

repertoire of traditional songs have been used in Zimbabwe to heal the sick, and

in night-long to week-long ceremonies to summon family ancestors and

powerful tribal guardian spirits to earth who help the living. Every time the

mbira is played, it is considered a prayer to the ancestors that will result in their

protection of the living.

7pm Doors

7:30 Show

$15 Suggested Donation

FREE PARKING