Paul Simon dropped off UBUNTU Fest; Ezra Koenig & Laura Mvula added

Ezra Koenig w/ Vampire Weekend in Chicago (more by James Richards IV)

Some good and bad news regarding the ongoing UBUNTU: Music and Arts of South Africa festival in NYC. Paul Simon, who was supposed to join Ladysmith Black Mambazo at their Carnegie Hall show this Saturday (10/18), has unfortunately dropped off. The show will otherwise go on as planned and tickets are still available.

On a brighter side, fellow African music lover Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend and Laura Mvula have been added to ‘Mama Africa: A Tribute to Miriam Makeba’ happening November 5 at Carnegie Hall, which closes the festival. That concert is led by Angélique Kidjo and also features Makeba’s supporting singers Faith Kekana, Stella Khumalo, and Zamo Mbutho, plus Vusi Mahlasela. TIckets for that one are on sale now.