LIKE so many stars before her, Lira finally received a nod of approval from the tough entertainment industry when she completed a film and travelled to Italy for its premiere.
The Taormina Film Festival has been a dream come true for the actress and singer.
“I could not believe it when I was told that I was the second African person to appear on the (Taormina) stage since Miriam Makeba in the 1960s. I was still trying to process that when I was overwhelmed by sitting at the same table as Hollywood film director Oliver Stone.
“He was happy to receive me and when he heard that I sing, he asked me to belt out one of my songs. I did so and what followed was the stuff dreams are made of,” Lira says.
The laid-back Afrosoul star says the following morning she was inundated with interviews. “The cherry on top was my making prime-time news. As if that was not enough, I was getting bookings left, right and centre. “It’s as if I came to launch my film as well as my music career. The following night at the premiere of my movie, in front of all those stars, I was asked to sing. After Italy, I am going to perform in Vienna, Austria; Lugano, Switzerland; Stuttgart and Karlsruhe, Germany; Barcelona, Spain; London and Ireland. Then I return to Europe to join Thandiswa Mazwai and Vusi Mahlasela for a show organised by Bra Hugh Masekela.
It’s called Celebrate Mama Africa and is aimed at paying tribute to Miriam Makeba, ” she says. From Europe she travels to the US to perform in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington DC and New York.
Makeba ’s humility and work in Africa during her long exile from home earned her the name Mama Africa.
The hard-working Lira has revealed that her band will join her for her performances in the US.
“I cannot wait for all these performances because they are going to affect my career in a positive manner. It’s good to make waves at home and abroad and I believe the film is going to go a long way towards building my career.”
On her return home, she will embark on a nation-wide tour.
“We will go to Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and Johannesburg. I am looking forward to connecting with my fans and performing for those people who never get the opportunity to see me,” the lass with four albums under her belt says.
“What I have enjoyed about Italy is the food, great conversations and lots of walking. It’s not every day that a girl enjoys opportunities that combine work and play,” she says dreamily.
Film debut puts Lira on the global stage
LIKE so many stars before her, Lira finally received a nod of approval from the tough entertainment industry when she completed a film and travelled to Italy for its premiere.
The Taormina Film Festival has been a dream come true for the actress and singer.
“I could not believe it when I was told that I was the second African person to appear on the (Taormina) stage since Miriam Makeba in the 1960s. I was still trying to process that when I was overwhelmed by sitting at the same table as Hollywood film director Oliver Stone.
“He was happy to receive me and when he heard that I sing, he asked me to belt out one of my songs. I did so and what followed was the stuff dreams are made of,” Lira says.
The laid-back Afrosoul star says the following morning she was inundated with interviews. “The cherry on top was my making prime-time news. As if that was not enough, I was getting bookings left, right and centre. “It’s as if I came to launch my film as well as my music career. The following night at the premiere of my movie, in front of all those stars, I was asked to sing. After Italy, I am going to perform in Vienna, Austria; Lugano, Switzerland; Stuttgart and Karlsruhe, Germany; Barcelona, Spain; London and Ireland. Then I return to Europe to join Thandiswa Mazwai and Vusi Mahlasela for a show organised by Bra Hugh Masekela.
It’s called Celebrate Mama Africa and is aimed at paying tribute to Miriam Makeba, ” she says. From Europe she travels to the US to perform in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington DC and New York.
Makeba ’s humility and work in Africa during her long exile from home earned her the name Mama Africa.
The hard-working Lira has revealed that her band will join her for her performances in the US.
“I cannot wait for all these performances because they are going to affect my career in a positive manner. It’s good to make waves at home and abroad and I believe the film is going to go a long way towards building my career.”
On her return home, she will embark on a nation-wide tour.
“We will go to Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and Johannesburg. I am looking forward to connecting with my fans and performing for those people who never get the opportunity to see me,” the lass with four albums under her belt says.
“What I have enjoyed about Italy is the food, great conversations and lots of walking. It’s not every day that a girl enjoys opportunities that combine work and play,” she says dreamily.
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