A BENEFIT concert to help families in Zimbabwe, featuring music from that country, is being held in St Dogmaels next week.

The music of the mbira and the sound of songs from Zimbabwe will fill the church hall on Thursday, February 12, from 7.30pm.

Leader of St Dogmaels Choir, Erin Macdonnell, has organised the event.

She lived in Zimbabwe for several years and learned the music of the country and now teaches it to other musicians and singers.

"I travelled there a lot and spent years researching the music and the songs. The concert is raising money to help support families with money for food. They are people I know and have played music with, so this concert is a big event for me. There is a lot of malnutrition there and there is a great need for any help we can send," she said.

The evening’s programme includes a mix of African and European music. Rhowan O’Neill will be performing some of her own songs.

Joining Erin on the mbira will be Zimbabwe player Fungai Gadzhikwe, who will also be running a workshop on mbira playing and his country’s music on Saturday, February 14, from 1pm to 4pm, at the same venue.

Tickets for the concert are £5 on the door, or £4 in advance. The workshop costs £10. To book in advance contact Erin on 01239 615299.