Lorraine Klaasen will be embarking on a music collaboration tour of Canada and other parts of the world in 2024. During this monumental tour, Lorraine will collaborate with her long time producer and musical director Mongezi Ntaka, Dr. Nothembi Mkhwebane and Dr. Tu Nokwe. Thiswill be a promotional tour of her collaboration album coming out in the summer of 2024.
Lorraine Klaasen is a 2013 Canadian Juno Award winner with decades of experience in live performances and studio recording. Lorraine was born and raised in South Africa and moved to Canada over four decades ago. Lorraine is a recording artist for Montreal, Canada’s Justin Time Records. She has toured throughout Canada, United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Japan and Africa. About two decades ago, Lorraine was very instrumental in bringing to Canada the legends of Madiba, a project she conceptualized to bring together five legendary South African women singers including her mother Thandi Klaasen, Dolly Rathebe, Sophie Mgcina, Abigail Kubheka and Dorothy Masuka. Lorraine is also a recipient of the 2022 South African music Award anda 2020 & 2023 London, Ontario Forest City Award.
Mongezi Ntaka is a South African guitarist, composer, arranger, producer and musical director with decades of experience in recording and touring. Mongezi has worked with Lucky Dube, Vusi Mahlasela, Hugh Masekela, Jonas Gwangwa, Taj Mahal, Habib Koite, Oliver Mtukudzi, Sibongile Khumalo, Dave Matthews and Eric Donaldson. He is also an educator and has worked in several theater productions as a guitarist and musical director. Mongezi has performed in many venues around the world including the Carnegie Hall in New York City
LUA SHAYENNE DANCE COMPANY (LSDC) has been infusing the Canadian contemporary dance scene with the vibrant energy of its African heritage, in all its rich diversity to the world stage. LSDC blends dance, music and storytelling rooted in West African culture with contemporary art forms and social commentary.
LSDC produces original dance works, enriching educational programs, YENSA Festival – a biennial festival which highlights Black female dance artists from the Canadian and international dance scene; in addition to offering professional and community workshops with local and international artists.
Led by the vision of Artistic Director, Lua Shayenne, LSDC's artistic practice is also a spiritual practice in service to the wider community – "The process of creating something new can potentially increase our sense of spiritual connection to one another and transform the hearts of our audiences and participants."
