Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s signature sound is rooted in the intricate rhythms and harmonies of isicathamiya (pronounced is-cot-a-ME-ya) and mbube—traditional South African vocal styles. Founded in the early 1960s by visionary singer and activist Joseph Shabalala, the group has spent over 50 years captivating audiences worldwide with powerful a cappella performances, spreading messages of peace, hope, and love through melody and dance.
The group gained international fame through their collaboration with Paul Simon on the Grammy-winning album Graceland, but they were already beloved in South Africa—where Nelson Mandela named them cultural ambassadors to the world. With call-and-response singing, joyful movement, and deep cultural roots, Ladysmith Black Mambazo continues to uplift and inspire through the enduring power of song.
Plan Your Visit
For more information to help you plan your visit, including accessibility information, directions and parking, and show policies, please explore our Plan Your Visit pages.
Community Access Tickets
We offer tickets under $30 for all Strathmore Presents programs in the Music Center. To keep these community access tickets out of the hands of resellers and ensure they remain available to the community, some tickets cannot be purchased directly.
If you are able to pay full price for your tickets, we thank you for doing so. Your purchase makes it possible for us to offer community access tickets to those who would not be able to participate without them.
To request discounted tickets, please fill out this form. Please make your request at least one full week in advance of the performance date.
Note that community access tickets are intended for the community, not resale. Resale of Strathmore tickets for more than face value is strictly prohibited. Resellers will be investigated and are at risk of their account being closed. Read more about our ticket policies.