What was Rob Cross, Executive Director of the Virginia Arts Festival, thinking when he booked this energy-filled, spirit-lifting group of 23 adorable children into the Attucks Theater for only one show?

He must not have realized that the African Children’s Choir was more than a family-centered act for a midweek spot in the Virginia Arts’ Festival’s second month; much more than the diverse, wildly enthusiastic audience had imagined. Following a sudden thunderstorm, the concert brought light and life to the city, in the beautifully restored venue at the heart of Hampton Roads’ Harlem.

I was in an altered state most of the evening, partly because of the irrepressible smiles and amazing choreography of 13 girls and 10 boys, all between the ages of seven and eleven, from challenging life situations in many African countries- Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda,  Nigeria, Somalia, and South Africa. They literally bounced onto the stage, carrying aluminum cans, which they tapped onto the floor and their hands, creating a percussive bedrock for their first song, the “Can Dance” from South Africa.  Wearing yellow and green patchwork costumes, boys and girls performed with every muscle and nerve, sharing traditional songs of fishing and hunting, and dances from many tribes on the continent. On some songs three young drummers powered the group with their flawless traditional beat patterns. And on others, the children’s harmonies wove tonal beauty, as in “Nikosi Sikele,” the South African national anthem; one of the loveliest melodies I have ever heard.

Three young adults–former members of the Choir serving as chaperones on this one-year tour–sang and danced as well, and took time onstage to tell their own stories.  Ugandan Annette Nabbale sang the tender, thoughtful “ Shadowland,” by Hans Zimmer and Lebo Morake, touching on themes of difficulty, poverty and war on the continent. Grace Nabacwa demonstrated the exaggerated hip movements of a humorous courting dance and song from the Batoro Tribe, while her junior performers pretended to flirt with the younger girls, hoping to impress them with their style. Tillas Kyende–known to the children as “Uncle”–joined the dance, showing his dance prowess , and after receiving a ceremonial acceptance from Grace, he placed a fabric covered straw circlet over her body, like a rough engagement ring that came to rest on her hips. Tillas told the audience: “In this tribe, the better the young man dances, the better the husband he is supposed to be!”

Between the songs and dances, the audience learned of other former members who had joined the choir and escaped tragedy with video–very moving and inspiring, the kind of clips that help you understand that the Choir actually saves lives.  And the children sing with pious devotion about the “Light of God”–a reference to their faith-filled lives, which didn’t come off as born-again or pushy Christian conversion tactics, but expressed their gratitude to a fortunate streak of fate and support that changed their world. These children are the next generation in a 25-year dream come true. When they audition for and are accepted into the African Children’s Choir, they step onto a yellow brick road adventure, with their schooling and needs met by sponsors in the Schools of Life, founded by an ordained Irish minister, Ray Barnett, in 1984. All the proceeds from concerts like this one, CDs, T-Shirts and DVDs help support the Schools for Life, creating true futures for children who may have been lost to poverty.

As a music teacher of young children, I was knocked out with the dedication, joy and professionalism of these 23 musical ambassadors, performing two sets of songs and amazing dances, wondering if their magic could move suburban American kids.

So, this morning, on fire with excitement over the concert, I shared DVD and CD tracks with my students at  All Saints Episcopal Day school.  The kindergarten kids couldn’t sit still when the video showed the choir singing “Walking in the Light”, which included the gospel favorite,” This Little Light of Mine” in the arrangement. They jumped and sang along; mimicking the routines they saw on the screen.

At one point I saw 5-year-old Matthew slapping his hands on his thighs.

“I got it, Teacher,” he said with a smile, “ I found the Beat!”

So did I, Matthew. So did we all, last night at the Attucks Theater. It was the beating of our hearts, loving the life energy of 23 children from Africa, feeling it in ourselves.