BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY Big Voodoo Daddy is a high-profile swing-revival band from Southern California. Since 1989, Big Voodoo Daddy has performed at a wide variety of venues and on various shows including the Super Bowl, “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, “Dancing with the Stars,” as well as performing with orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic and San Francisco Philharmonic. PHOTO: BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY PERFORMED ITS MODERN SWING FOR MERCED AUDIENCES.
LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO Ladysmith Black Mambazo is an acappella singing group from South Africa that has declared its mission as “singing for peace live around the world.” For the past 50 years, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has been bringing joyous and stirring music inspired by the intricate rhythms and harmonies of native South African musical and dance tradition to audiences around the world. Ladysmith Black Mambazo has been nominated for 16 Grammy awards, and has received the coveted award three times, including a few weeks before the group’s Merced performance. PHOTO: LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO BROUGHT AFRICAN SOUNDS TO MERCED.
“THE SKY IS FALLING AND I’M NOT EVEN KIDDING!” The play, written by Nancy Steele-Brokaw, was produced in partnership with UC Merced faculty members. The production starred UC Merced students and local artists. Free performances were offered in UC Merced’s Dr. Lakireddy Auditorium to 3,200 Merced County school students, ranging in age from pre-school to third grade. PHOTO: THE CHILDREN’S OPERA PROVED VERY POPULAR IN MERCED COUNTY.