The Penguin Rocks logo
The Penguin Rocks Menu





 

PODCAST: From Soweto to Princeton -- the Buskaid String Ensemble

By Susan Wallner, JerseyArts.com

originally published: 01/29/2021


The Buskaid Soweto String Ensemble was planning an in-person visit to the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) when the pandemic hit. Their visit is temporarily on hold, but Buskaid - A Musical Miracle: Brilliant Baroque to Cool Kwela! is a series of five on-demand concerts providing a wonderful introduction to this inspiring musical group.

Jersey Arts producer Susan Wallner talks to Marc Uys, the executive director of the PSO (and a South African native), and to Julian Grant, a composer and Princeton resident, about a transformative visit they made to the Buskaid School in South Africa in 2019. The upcoming concerts feature Buskaid-trained soloists performing classical, pop, and uniquely South African music. Beginning January 29-31, the Buskaid concerts will be released every month through May 2021.

Photos in header (clockwise from top left): Buskaid Music School 2019; Tiisetso Mashishi - Viola CREDIT Graham De Lacy; Marc Uys, Rosemary Nalden, Buskaid representative, Julian Grant; Buskaid Ensemble busk linder CREDIT Graham De Lacy; Melvyn Tan - Pianist - Buskaid Ensemble CREDIT Graham De Lacy





 

New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info




 

COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Josephine" by Emily Grove

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is a replay of "Josephine" from "Fables," the new five-song EP by Jersey Shore singer-songwriter Emily Grove. "Josephine" now is a fabulous video by award-winning filmmaker John Decker.




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 11/05/2026




This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from November 3-9, 2026




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Big Black Car" by Part Time Baby






Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info





 

MORE NEWS

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- The Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove presents An Evening with John Gorka on Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 8:00pm. The show is part of the ongoing Split Level Concerts series which highlights renowned Americana and contemporary folk musicians in a uniquely intimate setting.


The Newton Theatre presents Creedence Revived




Newton Theatre presents The Man In Black - A Tribute to Johnny Cash




Mercy Center to present Second Annual Code Blue Concert at the Stone Pony




Belmar Arts Center presents Dave Vargo, Renee Maskin, Jackson Pines, and Rick Norman on Friday






 

UPCOMING SHOWS


"Everything Fab Four" Fest 2026 to feature Ken Burns, Michael Lindsay-Hogg, The Cyrkle & many more

(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- The Beatles' groundbreaking 1966 album Revolver, a major turning point in the band's recorded career, will take center stage November 5-8, 2026, at the second annual Everything Fab Four Fest happening at Monmouth University and the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music.


The Newton Theatre presents Puss N Boots featuring Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson, and Catherine Popper




U.K. Folk Trio, The Longest Johns, to Perform at The Vogel




State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead






Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info





The Penguin Rocks

© 2026 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
[email protected]

Presented by New Jersey Stage

Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and our NJ Stage accounts on Instagram, and Threads


News | Features | Radio Shows | Penguin's Hall of Fame | Song of the Week | BlowUpRadio column

Contact Us | About Us | Submit Music | Ad Rates