At the concert, which will take place Oct. 24 at 3 PM and Nov. 13 at 2 PM, Tsidii (whose real name is Tsidii Le Loka Lupino) will perform the music of Odetta, "the queen of American folk music"; Nina Simone, "the high priestess of soul"; and Miriam Makeba, "'Mama Africa' herself." A post-show discussion will follow each performance.
In addition to playing Rafiki, Tsidii also composed the lament "Rafiki Mourns" for the Broadway production of The Lion King. She has appeared on television in "Rose Red," "The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer" and "Law & Order." She was the only performer invited to perform at Nelson Mandela's first international press conference in Johannesburg after his release from prison, and has performed in concert with artists ranging from Elton John to Madonna to Harry Belafonte to Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Queens Theatre in the Park is located at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Flushing. Admission is free; for reservations, call (718) 760-0064.