Laura Burhenn to tour SA

As part of the tour initiative, Burhenn will be looking to collaborate with equally established home-grown songbirds (Inge Beckmann for the Cape Town performance, Shotgun Tori and Lucy Kruger for the Grahamstown performances, Faye Oakes in Durban and Eve Rakow in Joburg), as well as focusing on women from disadvantaged communities via a series of workshops in the areas she visits. This is part of a mentorship programme in association with Lana Crowster, a graduate from the Africa Voices Trust.

The Songbird Tour will place an emphasis on celebrating the creative woman. It is aimed at being an exchange that serves as an interaction between established international artists, up-and-coming South African performers and local talent within disadvantaged communities.

Lana Crowster and Laura Burhenn have selected two singers: Nomvuyo (Gugulethu) and Ayesha Madatt (Athlone) to join them on tour. These two talented, yet inexperienced, stage performers are currently being trained by Crowster. Once Burhenn arrives in Cape Town she will focus on intensive workshop sessions for three days prior to the beginning of the tour.

Charity show

After the National Arts Festival performances, the tour travels to Port St Johns where she'll be giving a charity show for the Amapondo Children's Project (ACP), a registered non-profit organisation. The ACP offers community support through its involvement in a number of projects, focusing on recognising the needs of the local people in order to create community led initiatives, jobs, education, self-empowerment and valuable exchange whilst utilising the skills and experience of both national and international volunteers. Their current primary focus is the Eluxolweni Boy's Orphanage, a home that takes care of 11 young people who are between the ages of 11 and 18. The secondary focus is the Mthumbane Pre-Primary School, where approximately 60 children between the ages of two and six attend class daily.

Tour dates:

• 3 July, Cape Town: Welgemeend Estate, 2 Welgemeend St, Gardens. Time: 8pm. Tickets: R230. www.citysoiree.co.za/events/laura-burhenn-ctn Collaborating act: Inge Beckmann (Lark, Beast).
  
• 8 July, Knysna: Peace of Eden Recording Studios. En route to the National Arts Festival, The Songbird Tour will stop off at the renowned Peace of Eden Recording Studio in the forests of Knysna, for a personal, invite-only live recorded show. The audience will consist mostly of the township musicians who have benefitted from owner Howard Butcher's JAMDTSA (Joint Artists and Musicians Development Trust of South Africa). They will have an opportunity to ask questions both from the band and engineers about the touring and recording processes taking place through the event.
  
• 11 July, National Arts Festival, Grahamstown: Rhodes Chapel, Rhodes University, Grahamstown. Time: 9.30pm. Price: R95. Collaborating act: Lucy Kruger. Get tickets: www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/performance/4139:5406
  
• 12 July, National Arts Festival, Grahamstown. Rhodes Chapel, Rhodes University, Grahamstown. Time: 9.30pm. Price: R95. Collaborating act: Shotgun Tori. Get tickets: www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/performance/4139:5407
  
• 15 July, Durban (Glenwood): Secret Soiree, so venue only announced on the day. Time: 8pm. Tickets: R230. www.citysoiree.co.za/events/laura-burhenn-dbn Collaborating act: Faye Oakes (Faye & Wren).
  
• 17 July, Joburg: POPART Theatre and Performing Arts Centre, 286 Fox Street, Main Street Life, Maboneng Precinct. Time: 8pm. Tickets: R230. www.citysoiree.co.za/events/laura-burhenn-jhb Collaborating act: Eve Rakow (The Frown, Stolen Pony).

  Tickets: www.citysoiree.co.za/laura-burhenn-live-in-sa
  Website: www.onefinedayishere.com