Critically-acclaimed Pianist and Vocal Artist, Shannon Hope will be launching her second album, ‘Fight A New Day’, at the Fugard Studio on 5 November.

Since the release of her debut solo album STILL in 2009, Hope has maintained a furious national touring schedule, and made appearances at nearly every major festival around the country. Lyrically-focussed, and piano-based, her music falls within the vocal/singer-songwriter genres, with some elements of pop rock. Awarded a Standard Bank Ovation Award by the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown in 2011, in recognition of “artistic innovation, excellence, the exploration of new performance styles and the courage to open new conversations through the arts”, Hope delivers an intensely honest and powerful personal commentary in a vocal epic that has mesmerised audiences countrywide.

Having secured a full endorsement from world-renowned Japanese piano manufacturer Kawai Pianos, Hope returned to the studio in January 2011 to record the much-anticipated follow-up to her debut album. The album is produced by well-known drummer Tim Rankin, featuring Dave McMillan on guitars and backing vocals, and Ray Goodfellow on bass and backing vocals, with additional guitars by Henry Steel Jr. and additional backing vocals by Candice McMillan. In keeping with the style and honesty of her first album, Hope promises “a slightly bigger, more drivi ng and positive sound, with one or two cheeky fun tracks to mix it up a bit.”

“It’s about being brave enough to believe in yourself and your truth, and being brave enough to wake up to fight a new day despite what that day might hold,” she says. Hope will launch her Album with a one-night-only solo performance in the Fugard Studio. “On a recent tour to Cape Town, I walked into the venue and fell in love. And now just a few months later, I am beyond thrilled to be performing live on a Kawai grand piano for the first time, in this especially beautiful space, with complimentary champagne courtesy of Van Loveren – because no event of this magnitude would be complete without bubbles!”

The performance will take place on Saturday 5 November 2011 at 20h00. Tickets cost R80 and can be booked through the theatre’s box office on 021 461 4554,