(Riverton, WY) – Riverton got a special dose of African culture Tuesday night in the Robert A. Peck Auditorium as Peter Malanga and his band played tunes from throughout the prolific musician’s career.
Peter led the band on lead vocals, often playing guitar or a percussion instrument. Mawanga was supported by Amos Mlolowa on drums, who dazzled with polyrhythms throughout the night, and Alfred Sito Nkhoma, who sang backing vocals and played guitar and bass guitar.
Earlier in the day, Mawanga visited Riverton Middle School, where he was able to meet students and host a music clinic. “Before I came here to perform, I had a great time today meeting some young people at Riverton Middle School,” said Mawanga.
The band shared stories about their home country of Malawi, along with tidbits of the people and culture that inspire the music Mawanga writes.
“There are some differences in our lives depending on where we live,” said Mawanga. “But really, life is the same everywhere on earth… We all want the same things and feel the same feelings.”
Members of the Central Wyoming College Choir were in attendance on Tuesday, and Mawanga invited them to lead the audience in singing along with a couple of the band’s final songs, filling the theater with a delightful chorus to complement the band’s sound.
Tuesday’s performance was made possible by grants and sponsorships from Arts in Action, the Wyoming Arts Council, the Hampton Inn, and Fremont Music.
