ORANGE CITY – The Watoto Children’s Choir of Uganda will present their energetic music and dance show in Orange City Wednesday, June 11 at Windmill Park.
The 7:00pm show features original and vibrant African music with dance routines and life-transforming stories. The program is entitled “Beautiful Africa: A New Generation.”
The show is part of the Orange City Arts Council’s Onstage Orange City summer series, and is sponsored by Orange City Communications.
The globally-acclaimed choir was born from the holistic care program, Watoto, initiated to serve a variety of needs of the African people, especially those of children orphaned as a result of war, poverty and HIV/AIDS. “We share a message of transformation,” said Watoto founder Gary Skinner, “telling the story of Africa’s rescued orphans and women.”
Each of the children in the choir has suffered the loss of one or both parents, and all live in Watoto Children’s Villages.
“It’s a concert of hope,” said Skinner, and he and the choir desire to reach audiences “with the message of Christ’s healing power,” he said.
This tour began in Argyle, TX in mid-January and the 22 children and 10 adults will travel for six months, visiting Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisiana, Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Iowa, ending their tour in late June in Colorado.
Since the tour’s inception in 1994, 64 choirs have traveled globally, providing the children with an opportunity to broaden their world view. They have done shows in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Germany, France and the U.S., and have performed for everyone from royalty and national leaders to the ordinary person.
The June 11 concert is free, but an offering will be received for Watoto.
Thanks to Living Water Community Church for assisting with the event.
Bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Concessions will be offered. Rain location is Unity Christian Knight Center. For more information or weather-related announcements, contact the Orange City Arts Council, ocArts@orangecityiowa.com or 712.707.6514 or see orangecityarts.net. Watoto’s site is watoto.com/choir.
