Ladysmith Black Mambazo at City Winery; Pittsburgh Opera Fashion Show ‘It’s About Time’ at Bitz Opera Factory (Mon., 3/23/26)

March 21, 2026/Rick Handler

1) “World music” seems like a strange name for a genre—aren’t there lots of kinds of music in the world?—but it refers mainly to music from faraway places becoming popular in the American and Euro markets. For a long while, that didn’t happen very often. One group that’s been pivotal in breaking the global sound barrier is Ladysmith Black Mambazo of South Africa. The all-male a cappella ensemble creates and sings songs rooted in Zulu styles and traditions. Many lyrics are in the Zulu language; others mix Zulu with English. The group was founded in 1960 by Joseph Shabalala, then an aspiring 20-year-old musician with a dramatic high-register voice. Shabalala recruited family members for the original lineup, naming them after their hometown of Ladysmith and adding Black (a signifier of “strongest”) and Mambazo—Zulu for “axe”—to indicate their intent of chopping through the competition at regional singing contests. Which they did. Eventually they became a sensation across South Africa, recorded albums on the domestic Gallo label, and began performing in Europe.

A big international breakthrough came when U.S. folk/pop icon Paul Simon included the group on his 1986 multi-platinum album Graceland. Simon then produced Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s first album for Warner Bros., Shaka Zulu in 1987. They’ve kept going strong ever since—through many evolutions of personnel (Joseph Shabalala retired in 2008), through expansion of their repertoire (notably, into Christian and gospel-inflected music)—and through profound social changes in their homeland. The group performed at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as president of South Africa. They’ve serenaded Queen Elizabeth II of England on her birthday, collaborated with Dolly Parton, and won Grammys and other awards globally. Ladysmith Black Mambazo visits Pittsburgh on their latest North American tour. Hear them in concert at City Winery. 7:30 p.m. 1627 Smallman St., Strip District. (M.V.)

Mojoyin Abolarin wearing House of Couture in orange and fuchsia.

2) It’s high fashion time again at Pittsburgh Opera as the company will be holding their annual Fashion Show. This year’s theme is “It’s About Time” and will be master producer/designer Richard Parsakians last Fashion show. It will be happening this evening at the Bitz Opera Factory in Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District. This year’s event will be curated by Richard Parsakian, owner of Eons Fashion Antique of Shadyside with hair and makeup styling by Studio Booth.

Pittsburgh Opera says, “Showcasing more than a century of style, this year’s theme is “It’s About Time,” an experience Parsakian calls “Fashion Theatre”, which will blend movement with dancers, actors, and iconic leaders of Pittsburgh’s arts community. His fresh take on styling period dress will showcase vintage couture from 1890 to through the 1990s.”

“We’re going out with a bang,” said Parsakian. “This show will be the culmination of my dream to bring all art forms and friends who I have worked with over the years together in one interactive evening that gives voice to artists we need to uplift. Each piece in this show has personal meaning to me, and has been chosen for a specific reason. Expect surprises, it’s going to be an epic evening.”

Tickets are available online on Pittsburgh Opera’s Fashion show page. General Admission (standing room) tickets are $60 and come with a complimentary signature cocktail crafted by event partner Mindful Hospitality Group and light bites from Aviva Catering. Student tickets are $15. VIP tickets, with reserved seating, a free product gift bag, two drink tickets, and other perks, are available for $175. Items on sale at the event and a special jewelry raffle from Diamonds Direct will benefit Pittsburgh Opera. The opera company’s resident artists will also be performing at the event.

Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will commence at 6:30 PM. The runway presentation starts at 7:30 PM, and is followed by drinks and dancing with the models and artists. 2425 Liberty Ave., Strip District.