Thando in full flight
Hats off to Marketing Man and Producer, Ibrahim Mustafa . He has a fabulous line – up organised for 2017’s Chapel Summer Sessions. Check the website and don’t miss out on Kyle Lionheart on 4 Feb http://www.chapeloffchapel.com.au/
The season has One Nighters only – teasers that leave you wanting repeats to refer your friends to.
This weekend I sampled Thando Sikwila on Saturday night ( Jan 14) and Reece Mastin Sunday ( Jan 15), both stunningly powerful young singers from “The Voice” and “X-Factor” stables. Both in their early twenties and developing all sorts of new and exciting dimensions. Each maturing and diversifying.
Thando is a large presence, physically and voice – wise in the tradition of the big black soul mama.
Her essence is sweetness and exuberance but her face can exude not only these qualities but sadness, petulance, sassiness as each song dictates. And as audience you’re right in there with her as she belts out R&B, jazz, funk and her own very evocative songs.
Her musical journey reprised her roles as as Effie White (Dreamgirls) and Shug Avery (The Color Purple ) in homage to her biggest influences. She also shared some of her original music from her EP Digital Love Letters.
Thando had her first full house. She was ecstatic. She really got into it. First , the impossible high heels discarded ,then the troublesome turban tossed to the floor. Daring to reveal a shaved head beneath. She was ready to give the audience her all and it just got better and better..
In the first Act she had 3 backing singers, 2 guitarists, a piano player and drummer.
By the second Act, she had discarded her black outfit , shaved head and entourage and was back with another persona and another band. Tight curled Billy Holliday wig and sassy red figure hugging blouse and black skirt with red reveal underneath. In no time she and her new band had a brought the House down with her song “Love Me”. After that , there was a sweet debut duet with her sister.
This girl’s into variety plus!
Then Thando transformed again. This time she was wearing headgear with plumage reminiscent of a coloured lyre bird tail. Literally totally over the top! Next she welcomed the cast from the stage show The Color Purple to sing numbers from the show with her. Sheer joy and exuberance overtook the lot of them. Thando began shimmying and shaking that ample booty seductively as she saucily sang the refrain “Push the Butt”. The audience went wild.
There were several standing ovations and an audience reluctant for the show to end, demanded an encore. This time she surprised us all by going to the piano and singing solo. Again with an accomplished air of a woman way beyond her years.
Is there no end to Thando’s talents? Her friend and flatmate, Jae ,told me Thando was very generous in encouraging new talent in others and is obviously at ease in performing with a variety of other musicians . The backing musicians hold her in awe and are proud and thrilled at her progress over the past couple of years.
This young woman is going places. As she sang in one of her own songs, I am Changing, “No one’s going to stop me now! ” I believe her and look forward to hanging onto the comet tail!
Review, video interview, photos by Magda de la Pesca
I love Chapel off Chapel theatre with it’s great stained glass window, atmospheric lighting, acoustics, generously staggered seating. It’s one of my fave live music venues.
More Thando videos from previous shows
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6zH2LPsLXI
