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 Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:02 pm
PERFORMANCE
Performance Title:
Green Love Concert
Genre:
Concert
Starring:
Khahlela Umfula
Description:
A big open lawn stage with several other acts going. Lela's one of the last.
Made up song
Made up song
You Raise Me UP
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Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:03 pm
The days were flying by her. She'd been signed for a new contract, gotten her songs on the radio, but no one really knew who Khahlela Umfula was. They didn't know she was an African straight from Africa because no one had heard her talk. When she had her interview on the television, no one watched. No one really cared in her clearing her name. At least, that's what it felt like. But now, something inside of her screamed to become something more. Maybe it was the support of the family she had back home; maybe it was the way their village was becoming richer. She wanted to do something more then what she'd been doing. She wanted to become famous. Lela wanted to be right up there with the dancer she admired for so long.
Her hair was grown out now, once again, and this time done in dreadlocks as she climbed on the stage of her latest performance. She had a spot in a concert for many talented artists. Many other singers were going to be there, but she felt like this was her only chance to shine. To prove her worth to the world that Africa could have well known singers. Not rapers, not soul singers. But pop. Lela had fallen in love with pop.
She wore an orange shirt top this time. The front was bright orange with white floral print while the back was a burnt orange color and solid, puckered at the sides to enhance her chest. Her hips were adorned with a big, rainbow belt made from those tiny metal squares and a blue jean ruffle skirt that went to mid thigh. High, bright orange and pink stockings encased her short legs and a pair of pumps completed the look. Of course she had her many bangles on her arms, and her ever present necklace and hoop earrings. But she'd gotten more piercings. A stud on her nose, small and golden; a full conch on her left ear and he right not far behind.
The act before her had just finished. Her band was getting ready and people were screaming. Friday night in the middle of summer, the heat was blistering because it was outdoors. She loved it. It made her anxious. Lela always felt she did better when she was anxious.
Finally it was time, she was ready to get out on that stage. Her heels clicked as she walked across, waving with one hand, the mic in the other. She said her hello and small speech she'd prepared: "Hello and welcome. I hope you enjoy a twist from me, if you know who I am!"
This was answered with screaming fans. Sure people knew she sang. But they didn't know what she sang.
The music started up, and she danced until she was ready, heart pounding already.
It was a song about love. Love lost, love found, love lost again. Her next song was about moving forward, looking for that silver lining. And she finished up with a well-known song: You Raise Me Up.
Why she chose that one? She was singing to her family. Her people. They were what gave her the strength to move on. And nothing could take that away from her. The Umfula name could get slandered, but she was still from Pemba. And Pemba was proud of her.
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