US Band performs at NAPA 10th anniversary celebrations

KARACHI: The crowd attending the “International Music Festival 2015” part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of the National Academy for Performing Arts (NAPA) got a special surprise on Thursday in the form of the Mary McBride Band.

The US Consulate Karachi sponsored band comprises of Mary McBride on vocals, John Kengla on the guitar, Jon Spurney on the keyboard, Greg Beshers on bass, and Mark Stepro on drums.

On the occasion, US Consulate Karachi’s cultural affairs officer, Li Ping Lo congratulated NAPA on its 10th anniversary and lauded it’s efforts for promoting theatre and music. She said, NAPA “offers Pakistanis a broad array of cultural attractions and home to visiting international artists.”

This is the second time that the US Consulate has arranged for Mary McBride and her band to visit Pakistan. The cultural officer told the audience, “Mary McBride loved her last trip to Pakistan. She was so touched by the hospitality of the people that she was thrilled to be able to come back.”

Mary McBride and her band have released four albums. As a cultural envoy for the U.S. Department of State, Mary McBride and her band have performed in more than 20 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Afghanistan, and Russia.