With high kicks, waving hands and traditional African dance steps, Ladysmith Black Mambazo captured a sold-out crowd with their amazing a cappella vocals and messages of hope, forgiveness and peace Friday night in Laxson Auditorium.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo has revolutionized traditional South African a cappella singing with its own distinct version of isicathamiya, the uplifting, spiritual song created by Zulu mine workers during the time of apartheid in South Africa.

Along with Vusi Mahlasela, who has been acclaimed by artists such as Dave Mathews, as "a voice for the people of South Africa during the revolution," the night was a success.

An excited crowd filled the auditorium in anticipation of a cultural experience that could be compared to no other.

Mahlasela sang solo, playing acoustic guitar to open the show. His vocal range was wide and his stage presence was gentle. To a hushed, attentive audience he sang of forgiveness, hope and spirit.

During the last song in Mahlasela's set, Ladysmith Black Mambazo crept out in African print shirts, black slacks and clean white shoes. Mahlasela danced with them while strumming his guitar and finished his final song. Without missing a beat, the group took over the stage and began a performance that continued for more than an hour without intermission.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo's capacity to fill an auditorium with hair-raising bass and harmonies using only voices is spellbinding. The joyful energy washes over you and leaves you with feelings of hope and inspiration.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo's unique dance steps are rooted in an old African tradition from Zulu mine workers. On Saturday nights when the six-day workweek was over the men would celebrate with song and dance. The dancing was often so strong that the floorboards of the huts would break. When the Zulu mine guards got involved a new form of quieter dance had to be created. It was called cothoza mfana, meaning, "tip toe harmony."

The new music and dance spread to the townships where it soon had so many followers that a tradition of competitions started. These competitions continue to be a part of South African culture today.

The stamina that Ladysmith Black Mambazo displays is amazing. They sing a cappella in a constant round while dancing, leaving you wondering if they ever take a breath.

Toward the end of the show, Joseph Shabalala, the front man for the group, engaged the audience. Standing alone on stage, he encouraged the audience to sing with him. The house lights came on and he led the audience through a verse that was intended to call back the rest of the group for an encore.

The audience was monotone and difficult to understand, but the participation was impressive, despite the awful display of song. From the front row to the back wall people made an attempt to sing together, laughing with each other at their efforts.

The gracious group came back on stage to perform three more songs including "Homeless," which many were familiar with from Paul Simon's "Graceland" album. The group's performance on the album with its unique sound eventually led Ladysmith Black Mambazo to record in the United States.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo's first U.S. album, "Shaka Zulu," won a Grammy in 1987 for best traditional folk album. The group has been nominated eight more times.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo has been South Africa's most popular vocal group for more than 30 years. Singing together since 1964, the group has released more than 40 albums.

A standing ovation continued long after the group left the stage and the house lights came on. Ladysmith Black Mambazo thrilled the audience and kept the house full from beginning to end.

After the show members of the group joined the audience in the lobby to autograph CDs and welcome their fans.

Coreen Larson can be reached at

clarson@orion-online.net