NYC: MoMA Nights with Masauko Chipembere

MoMA is closing its exhibition, Impressions from South Africa, 1965 to Now, with a musical performance by Masauko Chipembere. Apartheid in South Africa restricted opportunities for many artists, but they refused to let racism confine their creativity. Instead, black artists discovered alternative outlets through which they could express themselves – art centers, studios, print workshops, integrated theaters, publications, supportive galleries, and underground workshops and cooperatives. Printmaking, which produced a transportable, inexpensive, flexible, creative and collaborative environment for artists, became the means through ideas were be shared and political opposition was manifested and expressed. The art exhibit is a collection of 80 prints including stencils, books and posters that tell the story of South Africa's political struggle over the past fifty years. Visit the display and you'll see works from artists like Kudzanai Chiurai, Bitterkomix, William Kentridge, John Muafangejo, Sandile Goje, Senzeni Marasela, Claudette Schreuders, Sue Williamson and Cameron Platter.

The 2011 MoMA Nights series, programmed by Olivier Conon, has an international focus, featuring musicians from Africa, Indonesia, China, and South America to name a few. Come out on Thursday August, 11^th at 5:30pm to see a favorite, Masauko Chipembere – multi-talented singer-songwriter-guitarist from Malawi but born in LA (to activist parents in political exile) – he fuses African styles like marabi, mbira, marrabenta, mbaqanga, kwasa kswasa, and afrobeat with American influences like soul, jazz, funk, and hip-hop. Masauko has collaborated with Ladybug Megga (Digable Planets), RZA (Wu-Tang Clan), and Brian Jackson (former band leader of Gil Scott-Heron). He'll be joined on stage with South African-Malawian friend, mentor, and songwriter Mongezi Ntaka, dancer Jamie Philbert, and singer Yolanda Sangweni. The artists will perform songs from Masauko's upcoming album, Family Album, and pay tribute to anti-apartheid activist and songstress, Mariam Makeba. The show lasts until 8:30. While you're enjoying some awesome tunes, grabs some drinks at the Sculpture Garden or food at Terrace 5.