Kalimba Brings Earth Wind & Fire to Rancho Murieta for the Third Time
Aug 27, 2024 04:03PM ● By Gail Bullen River Valley Times Reporter
Kalimba – the Spirit of Earth Wind & Fire performs in the fourth concert of the summer season presented by Entertainment, Theatre & Culture for Rancho Murieta (ETC) on Aug. 18. It was the third time that the 10-piece group has entertained in Rancho Murieta. Photo by Gail Bullen
Kalimba Performs in Rancho Murieta [8 Images]
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RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Longtime Earth Wind & Fire fans were transported to Boogie Wonderland when Entertainment, Theatre & Culture (ETC) presented its fourth concert of the summer season at Lake Clementia Amphitheater on Aug. 18.
Kalimba – the Spirit of Earth Wind & Fire proved so popular in 2017 and 2019 that ETC invited them back for a third performance. ETC Board President Jane Rosette explained why.
“We booked Kalima because we needed an R&B act to round out our lineup. They delivered such great performances in the past we knew we couldn’t go wrong with them again,” she said. “They are always an audience favorite and just plain good for the soul.”
The tribute band transported the audience back to the 1970s and early 1980s with hits like “Shining Star,” “Got to Get You into My Life,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Devotion” and “September.”
The dance floor quickly filled up as ecstatic dancers, ranging from 7 to 70 years old, waved their arms in the air and sang along to every word.
During the concert, John “Chazz" Smith dedicated “You Can Change the World” to the late Maurice White, the founder of Earth Wind & Fire and the creative force behind most of their music.
Of course, the crowd demanded an encore, chanting “One more song! One more song!” The band obliged with “System of Survival.” The lyrics urge everyone to dance to stay alive.
After the show, Smith reflected on being back in Rancho Murieta.
“It has been a pleasure. The people are so kind to us,” he said. “Everybody is partying and having a good time, right? That’s what it is all about.”
The tribute band takes it name from the distinctive second instrument that White often played: the kalimba or African thumb piano. In 2011, Smith teamed up with drummer Jeff Haile to form the 10-piece band that is based in Tacoma, Wash.
Before the concert, teen dancers from the Murieta Dance Company Senior Competitive previewed their performance of “Bang, Bang, My Baby Shot Me Down.” This piece will be featured at their annual recital in December, and they plan to start entering competitions with it in January.
ETC sold 1,050 tickets for the Kalimba concert, which fell short of a sellout, according to Board Member Brenda Allen Booth.
However, based on the ticket sales so far, she anticipates that the final concert of the summer season will likely sell out.
The Sept. 7 concert will showcase Bohemian Queen, a Queen tribute band. It is being promoted as a “full-throttle rock-n-roll Queen concert experience,” according to the ETC program.
Tickets for this final show can be purchased at Ace Hardware in Murieta Plaza.
