The Cultural Celebration Series is a joyful, continuing recognition of the diversity of cultures and types of music, dance, and storytelling available in our area. Our April performance will be by Jean René Balekita and Bomoyi.
Jean René Balekita and Bomoyi is a professional musical ensemble featuring Congolese rumba with flavors of gospel, jazz, and African rhythms. Bomoyi means “life” in the native language of Lingala. In addition to Lingala they sing in English, French, Kikongo, Swahili, and Tshiluba. Well known in Congo, Jean René Balekita and Bomoyi have recently gained enthusiastic audiences in the United States. Jean René plays acoustic guitar and is joined by vocalists Laeticia Kyungu and Joyce Nkama and Victor Matondo on bass guitar.