Members of the State House Girls High School Choir of Kenya sang and danced before an enthusiastic and full house at Gibsons United Church Monday night. But it was a concert that almost didn't happen.
The choir event, sponsored by the Sunshine Coast Music Society in co-operation with the church, gave organizers sleepless nights recently when it looked as if it would have to be cancelled.
The Kenyan group, who have been honoured in their country's music festivals, had fallen afoul of a regulation in obtaining their visas from the Canadian government to attend and compete at the international choral festival, Kathaumixw, that took place in Powell River July 3 to 7.
"There was a hitch," said choir director Isaak Kavehere, who said he was happy to be here and performing.
With the help of the Kenyan government, visas were issued. The group then faced another travel snag.
"Our flight was delayed coming into Toronto and we couldn't get a connection," said choir manager Winnie Wahome. "We would have made it for the last day of the festival, Saturday."
The group arrived in Vancouver on Sunday accompanied by the under-secretary to the high commissioner for Kenya.
Music Society directors had hesitated to cancel the concert. The church had already arranged for the teenagers' accommodation, the event had been advertised and those who could not get to the choral festival in Powell River were eager to hear the music.
The community rallied to give the group a warm welcome and, with the co-operation of helpful volunteer staff at Kathaumixw Touring Choirs, to try and find a few more performance venues before the group's departure on July 14.
The 21 young women who took the stage on Monday showed their ability in the classics, surprising the audience with a rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus before spending the second half of the show in rhythmic African songs of peace and joy.
Kavehere opened the show soloing with his powerful voice on You Raise Me Up and a heartfelt African song from a parent to God. The concert closed with another original Kavehere composition written for the African Women's Delegate Conference in Kenya in 2011.
"Who is she?" sang the choir with pride and delight. "She's an African woman."
The group moves on to a gig in North Vancouver tonight (Friday), arranged by the Kath-aumixw tour organizers.
