KALIMBA / MBIRA UNITY GATHERING #2

KALIMBA/MBIRA UNITY GATHERING #2!

June 26th, 2024

Time: 6pm- 8pm in

Where: Union Square, Abraham Lincoln Statue 20 Union Square West

New York, NY, 10003

Free to All! (rsvp here for reminders)

Please join us for our second Kalimba / Mbira "healing sound" unity gathering in Union Square Park hosted by kalimba/mbira master Kevin Nathaniel.

Following the success of our June Solstice gathering for "Make Music Day", we will meet again at 6pm by the Abraham Lincoln sculpture in Union Square. From there we will set up a sonic kalimba healing sound atrium at the large LOV sculpture by artist Pasha. We will be jamming mostly in C major, but also in F major, so please bring any kind of kalimba or mbira that will match the tuning. And although we will play a song or two from the Zimbabwean kalimba/mbira healing music legacy, please also bring an open mind and heart to allow the music to take its own shape and be spontaneous like NYC.

Bring: kalimba and mbira instruments tuned in either C-Major or F-Major, and/or bring soft rattles. Some instruments will be available to loan out for the session. We will be learning techniques and styles for a variety of Mbiras and Kalimbas, as well as varied approaches.

*Also Bring!: your own mats and/or towels to sit on as we may not have access to the union square chairs for this gathering.

We will be bringing the family of Kalimbas and Mbiras together again!

Kevin Nathaniel Hylton
A visionary musician who, with voice and ancient African instruments, channels sound as a universal healing force. Together, breathing rhythms to the beat of our synchronized hearts, Kevin Nathaniel resonates songs of unity and the “big picture” of love in beautiful ways. A celebrated composer of healing music; a long-time practitioner of the healing arts of mbira, kalimba, circle song, shekere, dance, meditation, and yoga; a world-traveled music healer and performer, sharing the medicine of the ancient, the now, and the beyond, Kevin Nathaniel brings a fresh, deep experience of the beauty of sound.

Kevin Nathaniel’s music is an invitation for us to come together, to share in song, laughter, positivity, movement, and prayer.

Kevin Nathaniel is a Scholar of the House of Yale University. Following Yale, Kevin intuitively devoted himself to the healing music of Africa, especially mbira music. He began constructing instruments, transitioning to vocal music, the playing of various instruments of the African world, dances of Africa, and sacred healing music. His journey has led him to today, where he is an innovative force in the development of a new kind of shamanic music, performing music festivals and ceremonies the world over. His recordings have developed a strong following not only among lovers of uplifting dance grooves, but also among the healing and natural medicine world, while healers have verified that his recordings and performances helped heal trauma, sleep disorders, physical pain, depression and anxiety.

Kevin has worked with shamans, channels, doctors, healers, mystics, and medicine people from Africa, Asia, South and North America. He has also worked with Alice Walker, Oprah Winfrey, Jonathan Demme, Madonna, Niles Rodgers, Ephat Mujuru, Dumisani Maraire, Bobby McFerrin, Maestro Manuel, Tito La Rosa, Nana Vasconcelos, Carlos Roberto, Miriam Makeba, Thomas Mapfumo, Dr. Mitch Gaynor, Pedro Cruz Garcia, Titos Sompa, Chief Bey, and Omega Institute (where he serves as musician-in-residence).

Kevin also produces New York City’s most well-loved world music series, Afro Roots Tuesdays: www.facebook.com/AfroRootsTuesdaysYippie/

Host or Publisher Joule L'Adara