Mafa Makhubalo brings song, drum, and dance to life through a powerful expression of spirituality and unity to the Orillia Opera House, Feb. 27
NEWS RELEASE
ARTS ORILLIA
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Mafa Makhubalo’s Umsamo brings song, drum, and dance to life through a powerful expression of spirituality and unity.
The artist is inspired by his South African ancestry and his experience growing up during Apartheid. “I have a need to share stories,” he says. “Umsamo is an African emancipation philosophy and a rite of passage through my performance process that seeks self-awareness.”
Arts Orillia met Makhubalo in 2025 when he attended the company’s residency program. It didn’t take long to note this artist’s passion for community connection. He was an amazing mentor to Arts Orillia’s co-op students, who learned so much from him in the theatre.
While in our community this winter, Mafa will offer in-class drum and dance workshops to students at Regent Park Public School, Lion’s Oval Public School, Orillia Secondary School, Eastview Secondary School, Nantyr Shores Secondary School, Notawasaga Pines Secondary School, and Eastview Secondary School.
With curricular expert Meaghan Wells, Arts Orillia has developed resource materials for teachers and students, covering learning in dance and culture from South Africa through four different eras: Indigenous civilizations, European exploration and colonization, Apartheid, and transformation.
Mafa’s stories have travelled with him from Sasolburg, where he trained professionally in movement, poetry, and folk forms from his South African traditions. He is the founder and Artistic Director of Mafa Dance Village in Toronto and says:
“Dance is an accumulation of memory and the history of my culture. Dance is an invisible evolution that becomes visible through movement, music and singing.”
Don’t miss this powerful performance on Feb. 27 at the Orillia Opera House which kicks off with an address from Alasoba Kelsy Braide, founder of Orillia & Area Black Community Association.
Umsamo was developed during Arts Orillia’s Dance&Design residency at The Orillia Opera House. AO is proud to have co-op students training in the theatre industry through this technical residency, where Youth learn how to bring sound, light, and projection together in perfect timing with the actions on stage!
Arts Orillia’s presentation of Umsamo on Friday, Feb. 27 is in partnership with The City of Orillia and Orillia & Area Black Community Association. For tickets, visit the box office here. Adults: $35, Seniors: $32, Young Adult (18-20): $18, Youth (18 & Under): $9
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