FRESH from their appearance at the Royal Albert Hall celebrating the Queen’s 92nd birthday, Ladysmith Black Mambazo come to The Anvil on Thursday, 10 May.

For over fifty years the choir have invoked the soul of South Africa with their intricate

rhythms and harmonies, and powerful, uplifting songs.

They shot to global stardom after featuring on Paul Simon’s Graceland album, and have been touring the world ever since.

Their instantly recognisable sound is complimented by lively dance moves with a touch of cheekiness and fun. With their rich cultural heritage, the group continue to incorporate their roots into their music whilst keeping their sound new.

Their Grammy-nominated 2016 album Walking in the Footsteps of our Fathers honours their past as well as their future with joy, pride and passion radiating from every bar.

Five-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter comes to The Anvil on Friday. 11 May as part of a short UK tour.

Mary is on the road celebrating 30 years in the music industry and and will look back at her favourite songs from her fruitful career, during which she has recorded 14 albums and sold over 14 million records.

With hits like Passionate Kisses and He Thinks He’ll Keep Her, she has won five Grammy Awards (with 15 nominations), two CMA Awards, two Academy of

Country Music Awards for her vocals and is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

With her tender storytelling ability bridging the divide between audience and performer,

Mary’s shows have an intimate feel.

Support for the evening is Australian singer-songwriter Emily Barker, who blends Country and English Folk with 1960s pop.

On Saturday, 12 May, the extraordinary ensemble Spira Mirabilis performs at The Anvil for the first time.

Named after the geometrical figure spira mirabilis, the ‘miraculous spiral’, which no matter its size is always superimposable on itself, the group consider their music in the same way – their studying project maintains its identity, regardless of the number of musicians taking part in it or the piece of music which is played. What never changes are the principles and integrity of their work together.

The group describe themselves as a ‘musical laboratory’ in which they are always creating, experimenting and discovering, resulting in a final musical masterpiece. They gather each year for an intense period of concentration on a single work, which results in even the most familiar pieces appearing new and special in performance.

The night’s programme will have you hear Beethoven’s Symphony no.7 in a way you have never done before. The performance will be followed, as is traditional with Spira mirabilis, by an extended Question and Answer session on stage – sure to be a fascinating and enlightening conversation.

For more information or for tickets, visit anvilarts.org.uk or call the Anvil Arts box office on 01256 844244.