By Tidi Kwidini
UK-BASED Zimbabwean gospel ensemble Free to Worship (FTW) will stage their first concert of the year in London in October.
Following a successful tour of the US in 2014 and their pulsating Thank You concert in Luton last year, the highly rated choir have been selling out and packing arenas for four consecutive years, and plan to make their fifth year another memorable one.
Production Manager Tawanda Sarireni said the team is excited and raring to go, and that they were looking forward to recording their fourth DVD and audio album live.
“Free to Worship has become the heart and soul of the gospel world locally and internationally and we cannot wait to share with you what we have been working on,” Sarireni said.
“From the scintillating sounds of the bass guitar, to the heart piercing melodies of the saxophone and piano, not to forget the spine chilling harmonies and flawless voices from this gifted group of singers, FTW will be sharing new songs and some of our much loved classics too,” he added.
The sponsors for this year’s event have been announced and Diaspora Funeral Cash Plan, in partnership with Zimnat Life, along with Zim Selectors, Rose of Sharon Healthcare and Exodus Law Associates are all on board.
“Our sponsors, once again, are rallying behind us and we cannot thank them enough for their continued support, partnership and helping us bring what we love doing to life,” Sarireni said.
The event scheduled for the 1st of October will take place at the Dominion Centre in the heart of Wood Green, London.
The Dominion Centre is a state of the art venue that seats up to 2000 people, and has hosted a variety of high profile party’s concerts and corporate events.
Tickets are now available and being sold exclusively on the Free to Worship website www.freetoworship.co.uk . Ticket prices are £20 and £8 for adults and children respectively.
“As with all our productions, Free to Worship is about giving people their money’s worth and creating a long lasting, world class performance that will resonate with them long after the event,” Sarireni said.
Sarireni also teased that two critically acclaimed stars would be joining them; but promised to reveal the details in the coming weeks.
“We have two gospel powerhouses joining us this year and, all I can say is get ready for the time of your life because we are certainly going treat you to a spiritually enriched musical weekend,” added Sarireni.
The group has said that the concert in October is part of their wider philanthropic vision, and proceeds will go towards building a sports field at John Lorry Primary School in Zimbabwe, as well as paying school fees for up to 40 children.
Sarireni said that Philanthropy was at the heart of what Free to Worship do and that their aim every year is to give back to the communities they love in the motherland.
“We are looking forward to making the dreams of all those children unable to go to school come true by providing them with books, uniforms and a proper education, as well as building a recreational ground and sports facility that will contribute to the future ‘Usain Bolts’ of Zimbabwe.”
An EGEA Concerts production, Free to Worship is mentored and owned by Forward in Faith Ministries International and with the continued support of the organisation; the group has over the years united worship leaders, gospel singers and instrumentalists from many churches across the United Kingdom and the world.
The gospel dream team has become an integral part of many households, captivating the hearts of fans with live recordings of inimitable and eclectic gospel sounds, melodic harmonies and show stopping outfits.
Their last album Free To Worship 3 contains a diverse mix of sounds, ranging from familiar gospel sounds to modern-day English, Shona and Ndebele sounds, flawlessly presented by a choir whose outstanding performances, coupled with their zest for music has put them on the map and made them one of the best gospel choirs to emerge in the last few years.
