The Barnyard Theatre will present a tribute to the hits of African-American artists with Diamonds & Dust which promises to take audiences on a journey of joy, heartache and emancipation.

The show starts off in the swinging 40s and 50s with the music of the pennywhistle, also known as Kwela. It progresses to the period of Kwela Jazz, which was played on the saxophone rather than the pennywhistle, and then moves on to a tribute to Miriam Makeba and the Manhattan Brothers with songs like The Click Song and Pata Pata.

Other highlights of the show include an accapella arrangement of Tshotsholoza and a powerful rendition of The Warrior and Mama Tembu's Wedding from the famous South African musical Ipi Tombi.

Diamonds & Dust features a 12-member cast which includes a four dynamic vocalists headed by the famed Ramaine Barreiro, a swinging three-piece brass section and bass guitar, lead guitar, drums and keyboards. The show debuts at The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway before touring the rest of the Barnyard circuit. The nostalgic show includes the music of Mango Groove, Paul Simon, Johnny Clegg, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Miriam Makeba, Spokes Mashiyane and many more.

Diamonds and Dust runs from July 29 to September 7. Tickets R70 per person with Buy One Get One Free promotions running on all Tuesday night and Sunday matinee shows. Booking and enquiries through The Barnyard Theatre on 031 566 3045, e-mail: barngate@mweb.co.za or visit www.barnyardtheatre.co.za