Out Of This World Global Divas Bring Elaborate Mix Of Music To The Met

They are extraordinary women musicians from cultural backgrounds that span the globe. And on Tuesday evening, these Global Divas bring their music and a taste of their world-spanning heritage to Spokane.

Stella Chiweshe, Susana Baca and Tish Hinojosa all have crossed cultural boundaries and challenged conventions while advancing the cause of women.

Their performance as the Global Divas is designed to celebrate the diverse contributions of female musicians worldwide.

Zimbabwe native Stella Chiweshe plays an instrument considered sacred among the Shona people of southern Africa. The mbira, a metal-pronged hand piano, is used in traditional ceremonies to call on the spirits of the ancestors.

While growing up, Chiwese was refused mbira instruction by men who felt the instrument was not for women to play. However, she went on to perform and record - with that instrument - internationally.

Stella now gives workshops in mbira. “Mbira is an instrument. It should be played by everybody,” she says. In 1993 she founded Mother Earth Trust, a network of female artists in Zimbabwe.

Susana Baca grew up in Peru during a time when her country did not officially recognize its African heritage. Baca has been essential in preserving and promoting Afro-Peruvian music.

Along with her rich voice, Baca creates her music with a number of Afro-Peruvian percussion instruments and Andean pan pipes. She adapts traditional songs and also collaborates with several poets for some of her songs.

With her partner, Baca founded The Center for Black Continuum, dedicated to developing Afro-Peruvian music and dance.

Tish Hinojosa was the youngest of 13 children born to Mexican immigrants in Texas.

“Music captivated my attention from my earliest memories - the Mexican radio that always played in my mom’s kitchen, or my sister, who was a classically trained singer and piano player, and then the pop radio that was always on in my other sister’s bedroom,” she says.

Hinojosa sings in both English and Spanish. Her music ranges from folk to pop and pays tribute to country music, ‘60s folk and the conjunto styles of the Mexican border region.

The performance is part of the Debut Northwest series at The Met.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Global Divas - Susana Baca, Stella Chiweshe and Tish Hinojosa - perform Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at The Met. Tickets are $17.50 ($20 day of show), available at Street Music and G&B Select-A-Seat.