The Solid Rock Steel & Marimba Band are flying to China to participate in that city’s annual Chinese New Year festivities.
The Solid Rock Steel & Marimba Band were invited to play during the Chinese New Year by the Yangcheng Municipal People’s Government, Jincheng City northern China.
“This opportunity came about after a Chinese delegation, who were visiting the Sarah Baartman Municipal District, attended one of our shows at the Cape St Francis Resort,”
The band regularly performs for tourists at the Cape St Francis Resort and the St Francis morning markets as well as Weddings and other Functions.
“This invitation came as such a wonderful surprise! We have never been on a plane and most of the boys have never traveled beyond the Eastern Cape!”
The band leaves on the 25th of January for 20 days and will be playing each morning in the grounds of the Prime Minister’s castle followed by various cultural experiences and shows in and around Jincheng.
The boy’s trip was sponsored by the Sarah Baartman Municipality, the boys aged between 14 and 17 will travel with their band leader and teacher, Dean Kalo and other delegates from the Sarah Baartman Municipality.
The band was started in 2001 at the Talhado Children’s Haven by Lesley Moore, who is so proud of the boys and their huge achievement.
“We have had our work cut out for us getting the boys equipped for this trip with passports, vaccinations and everything that goes into planning an overseas trip for the group and their equipment.”
“The Sarah Baartman Municipality have been wonderful in assisting us and we are certain once the boys arrive in China, the Chinese people will receive them with open arms and make sure they are very well looked after. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for these youngsters.”
Lesley Moore has said the boys face some challenges when performing for events and asks:
“The biggest hurdle they face in fulfilling their engagements is transportation. The Haven are looking for a good Samaritan or Samaritans who would like to take on the responsibility of collecting and returning the boys and their equipment trailer from Sea Vista”
If you would like to help Lesley and the band you can get hold of them here
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