Author Archives: aderog
December 5, 2012 H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of The Republic of Ghana Accra, Ghana Mr. President, When we took the Fela Musical to Lagos last year, I was thrilled to learn that the Vice President of Ghana was flying specially to Lagos to see the show and represent Ghana at the performance. I saw this as a real act of African solidarity. It was made even more significant when we met and I understood the respect and affection you had for Fela, his courage, and his music. I found myself in the presence of a kind and gracious man and had the great pleasure of introducing you to the audience and heard you speak so candidly about the importance of Fela, … Continue reading →
This video comes to us by way of Adero Green: check out The Cambridge Youth Dance Program (CYDP) showing off their moves at The Cutler Majestic Theatre during our run in Boston on May 1st. On April 30, FELA! cast member Iris Wilson met with the girls of Cambridge Youth Dance Program at their dance studio in North Cambridge. She assisted with staging and counts, as the girls had already choreographed a presentation for the curtain call. The following girls participated in this presentation: Maria Kaestner, 18 Brianna Frazier, 16 Roxanne Rivard, 16 Anna Workman, 15 Chiara Bercu, 14 Alanna Logan, 12 Caroline Workman, 12 The Cambridge Youth Dance Program is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing the talented and artistic youth of the … Continue reading →
Tagged
boston,
broadway,
cambridge youth dance program,
cutler majestic theatre,
cydp,
dance,
emerson college,
fela,
fela kuti |
Check out this FELA! drum cover by the supremely talented drummer Chris Dave. Gotta love a man with two first names. Also, he’s on Twitter. Chris Dave x FELA from Chris “Daddy” Dave on Vimeo.
Tagged
chris dave,
drums,
fela kuti |
Boston City Hall (May 1, 2012) – Boston City Councillor Charles C. Yancey welcomed the critically acclaimed, Tony Award-winning musical FELA! to the City of Boston last Sunday. Councillor Yancey called the musical, which tells the important story of legendary Nigerian musician, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, an incredible demonstration of one man’s sacrifice to improve the political environment and human rights conditions in Nigeria. “The music, the dance, the costumes, and the extraordinary talent made FELA! one of the best musicals I’ve ever seen,” he said. Fela, a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, a musician and composer, the pioneer of Afrobeat music, human rights activist, and a political maverick, defied Nigeria’s corrupt and oppressive military governments and devoted his life and music to the struggle for freedom and … Continue reading →
Tagged
boston,
catia mota da cruz,
charles yancey,
cutler majestic theatre,
emerson college |
FELA! producer Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson dropped by WGCI 107.5 in Chicago to chat with Loni Swain. This interview aired April 9th, 2012 — but you can stream it here indefinitely.
Tagged
ahmir thompson,
broadway,
chicago,
fela,
fela kuti,
fela musical,
loni swain,
questlove,
radio,
wgci |
Sunday March 18, 2012. The Queens of FELA! gathered with Founder of Kadence LLC., Karen St. Hilaire and owner of Therapy Wine Bar, Angela Terry. There was a full menu assortment for the ladies including speciality teas made by CuriosiTeas NYC owner, Sheena Foster. The ladies were able to unwind during their short break in NYC (as you may know, they’re working hard on tour). This was the first tea party that the FELA! Queens attended together, and they plan to incorporate tea parties into the remainder of the tour. “The Queens of FELA! added an extra flair to what was a wonderful event. The ladies are genuinely regal and their interaction with the guests, made for a splendid Afternoon Tea. The guests and all … Continue reading →
Tagged
adero green,
angela terry,
brooklyn,
curiositeas,
fela,
fela kuti,
fela queens,
kadence,
karen st. hilaire,
sheena foster |
Attention Chicagoans, or those who know the Windy City well enough to GUESS WHERE THIS VAN IS! The first Facebook user that can name the Chicago neighborhood in which the FELA! van below is parked wins a FELA! Cast Recording and FELA! Mug set. If you have no idea where this is, but want these things anyway, you can pick them up at the FELA! Store. P.S. – has anyone seen this van?
Tagged
chicago,
contest,
facebook,
fela,
fela kuti,
lemi ghariokwu |
Back in 2008, Ahmir Thompson aka ?uestlove of The Roots saw FELA! in New York and wrote about his experience. Read it here. ——————————————————————– i wrote an email to all my industry pals after i saw the FELA! musical tonight. i decided to share it with you. ladies and gentlemen this is ahmir. its is 5:58am in the morning and i just got home. i witnessed a miracle tonight and it is a MUST you read this. and when i say miracle you have to think this on the level of sam jackson trying to convince john travolta in pulp fiction to acknowledge the miracle that just occured (them escaping death by *this* much) i didn’t escape death tonight. actually i believe i found life … Continue reading →
Tagged
ahmir thompson,
broadway,
fela,
fela kuti,
questlove,
the roots |
On January 22nd, the cast of FELA! and Los Angeles band Afrobeat Down got together to celebrate a successful run at The Ahmanson Theatre. Sandra Izsadore hosted the party — she describes the party as “… a night to remember. Real Kalakuta style.” She also describes other highlights: “We had a Big Yellow Bus that picked us up from the hotel. It transported us about ten miles to the party. The Bus and its driver has made appearances on Oprah Winfrey show, People Magazine, The Steve Harvey Morning Show, as well as many other publications. The Bus driver, Tonya, is doing great work through her GYO organization for youth in our community. Jamaican Food was served… It was a good closing for Los Angeles. ” … Continue reading →
Tagged
afrobeat down,
ahmanson theatre,
fela,
fela kuti,
kalakuta,
los angeles,
oprah winfrey,
sandra iszadore,
video |
It’s Bob Marley’s Birthday — and therefore, the perfect time to share this article by noted music writer, Vivien Goldman. HBD, Bob! ———————————————————– BOB MARLEY & FELA KUTI Musical giants in a time of revolution An exclusive extract from the upcoming book AFROBEAT ART (Part 1); The Revolutionary Vision of Fela Kuti and “His Artist” Ghariokwu Lemi by Ghariokwu & Goldman Rebel music owned 1977 when musical giants walked among us. As Fela’s ferocious Afrobeat on his all-conquering track, Zombie, rose to challenge the tender lilt of Ghanaian highlife, then Nigeria’s most loved sound, it was part of a popular musical revolutionary front. In London and New York, Punk’s Sex Pistols, Clash and Ramones were yowling into being. In Afrikan Amerika, the funk … Continue reading →
Tagged
afrobeat,
bob marley,
fela kuti,
reggae,
vivien goldman |
