Latest musical adventure casts some ‘Mbira Magic’ over Museum and Art Gallery

The under-fives can experience some ‘Mbira Magic’ at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery's next ‘Adventures in Music’ event on Friday 31 May.

Following a very popular inaugural event last month, the Museum's new world and folk music programme will be treating little ones and adults to an interactive session with singer, composer and instrumentalist Chartwell Dutiro.

The mbira is an ancient traditional instrument from South East Africa and is made of hand forged iron keys that are mounted on a piece of hard wood and often decorated with shells, bottle tops and other materials. Chartwell will demonstrate the different sounds it can create as children listen and join in with songs of the Shona people of Zimbabwe.

Chartwell is regarded as a world-class mbira player. Now based in Devon, he draws on his experiences of growing up in his rural, segregated Zimbabwe to make links between his native country and life in Britain today.

“We're very excited to be joined by Chartwell, who’s fresh from touring America with the Royal Shakespeare Company,” said programme producer Danielle Rose. “We have a commitment to providing under-fives and their grown-ups with opportunities to enjoy the very best in live folk and world music and Chartwell's session will be no exception."

Tickets for the event, which will take place from 11am to 11.45am, cost £4.50 for adults and £3 for children. Places are limited and advance booking is strongly recommended. Tickets are available from the Welcome Desk between 10am and 4pm Tuesday to Saturday and you can pay by cash or cheque. They can also be bought online at www.wegottickets.com. Additional accompanying children under the age of two will not need a ticket.

The Adventures in Music programme has been developed by independent live arts events producer, Danielle Rose and is supported by PRS for Music Foundation’s New Music Plus…UK - a creative and professional development programme that provides funding to enable organisations and music producers to work together to organise live music events and projects. Technical support and equipment are being provided by Deep Blue Sound Music.

For more information about Mbira Magic and forthcoming Adventures in Music events visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/museummusic or call 01752 304774.