For a cause close to his heart, Ezra Kwizera’s “Journey” album-release concert was held at a studio in rural Surrey.
Hubcast Media’s intimate Campus Studios, built in a converted barn on 188 Street in Port Kells, hosted the event Saturday, Nov. 19.
The B.C.-based Kwizera plays a musical mix of reggae, soca, East African bongo and pop.
He grew up as a refugee in Uganda before moving back to his home country, Rwanda, after the 1994 genocide there.
“Ezra has a powerful motivation to support Rwandans through his music to rebuild their country,” says a bio on ezrakwizera.ca. “His music conveys the spark of an overcomer and the passion of a community leader with a vision to inspire change in his generation.”
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In “an immersive environment with imagery and storytelling,” Kwizera’s $35-a-seat concert at Hubcast was captured for broadcast on Channel U East TV in Africa, according to a post on uniteuslive.com. While the music played, artist Jean Bosco Bakunzi created a “live” painting to be auctioned off in the new year.
As part of the Kwizera’s efforts to rebuild the music industry in Rwanda, his concert launched a campaign for Narrow Road Studios in Kigali. Part proceeds will support Narrow Road Ministries, a non-profit organization founded by Kwizera and his partner, Mona Hempelmann Kwizera. Learn more about the charity on narrowroadafrica.com.
• RELATED STORY, from 2020: Ezra Kwizera among 7 bands recorded at Massey Theatre for virtual Uptown Live concert.
• READ ALSO: High-tech Hubcast studio in rural Surrey brings intimate concerts to converted barn.
tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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