A young Budapest-born, Montreal-based woman playing one of Africa's most demanding instruments at a world class level is a rare sight.
Even rarer then for that young woman to lead her trio to the highly coveted position of creating a recording that has won 'Global Roots Album of the Year' at this year's Canadian Folk Music Awards.
Kora player, singer and composer Sophie Lukacs will perform with her trio at the Qualicum Beach Community Hall (644 Memorial Ave.) on Nov. 1, according to a news release by the Oceanside Folk/Roots Club.
The kora is an immensely difficult instrument, and is traditionally only played by men within the Mandingue culture of West Africa. Lukacs followed her muse and travelled the world, seeking out the masters of the instrument, and studying with them.
She is a trained classical violinist, and spent six years in Mali studying the kora with Toumani Diabaté and other kora masters.
Lukacs first heard the Kora, as a world music student at McGill University. Captivated by the instrument she eventually left university to study it full time.
The music starts at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $37, contact micksherlock58@gmail.com, or phone 403-608-7280 to reserve a ticket.
