Acclaimed South African-born FADO Sensation Returns For A Special Heritage Day Performance

If you’re a fan of world music then there’s no better place to celebrate Heritage Day on September 24th than by joining international FADO sensation Katia Guerreiro at the Teatro at Montecasino.

Not only is Katia regarded as one of the finest Fadistas of her generation and a leading light of the Portuguese and global FADO revival but she was also born in Johannesburg (in 1977) and so has strong links to the city where she will perform for one-night-only.

It’s fitting that Katia’s South African performing debut comes as part of the Joburg Arts Alive International Festival – a month-long event which places great value in artists who are able to meld traditional creative forms with a contemporary spin, thereby appealing to a broad audience.

A former lead singer of a rock band, Katia’s stirring performances have already seen this gifted individual – who is a medical doctor by profession – earn awards, accolades and acclaim all over the world.

From Portugal – where the government has acknowledged her for her remarkable contribution to Portuguese art and culture – to France, Morocco, Belgium, England, Wales, Egypt, Switzerland, Spain, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Greece, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Tunisia, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Canada, New Caledonia, Turkey and India, Katia is playing a key role in ensuring the historic FADO music form remains relevant in the 21st century.

In recognition of her talent and contribution to the FADO revival Katia recently received one of the highest accolades a Fadista can receive – that of the “Best Performer of Fado” awarded by the Amalia Rodrigues Foundation.

Venue: Teatro at Montecasino

Date: Friday 24 September 2010

Time: 8pm

Katia Guerreiro’s performance is proudly presented by the JoburgArts Alive International Festival in partnership with the Teatro at Montecasino and with the support of the Portuguese Consul General.

“As a Fadista, Guerreiro is undoubtedly a leader in her field. Her voice is instantly recognisable with its deep, earthen tones and the simplistic ease she delivers the songs; at points soft and seductive, at others impassioned. Her skill as a vocalist is clearly evident, whether singing in French or Portuguese; Guerreiro maintains the ability to convey the meaning and emotion of the lyrics and the music to a non-native audience. As an artist, Katia Guerreiro is an exciting talent who no doubt will continue to deliver.” – Johnny Lais 2009-05-28 BBC Review

“The emotionality of her singing crosses all boundaries of language and of music genre… Make no mistake about it: Katia Guerreiro is a world-class diva of the rarest kind.” – Dunraven