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 →
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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.
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drums,
fela kuti |
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.
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loni swain,
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radio,
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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 →
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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?
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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 →
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fela kuti,
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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 →
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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 →
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The FELA! cast and producers, in association with Knitting Factory Records is currently running a promotion with the amazing children’s charity run by Ziggy Marley, U.R.G.E. (Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment). U.R.G.E. If you enter the coupon, “africaunite” with your purchase from the Fela Kuti webstore, 20% of the cost of your items will be donated to U.R.G.E. from now until February 9th. Shop for a good cause –it’s a win for everyone. Speaking of Ziggy Marley, check out this video of his appearance with the cast of FELA! at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles last month (many thanks to the lovely ADERO GREEN for this footage). Do share!
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U.R.G.E.,
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A couple happenings in the world of FELA! we wanted to alert you to — Ziggy Marley showed us some serious love recently. We’re giddy. Won’t you follow him on Twitter? Psst. Don’t forget to follow us too if you haven’t already. And look who visited us at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles recently: Taye Diggs and actress Idina Menzel! The star of Broadway’s RENT and How Stella Got Her Groove Back stopped by for a photo with cast member Adechike Torbert. You may recognize him from Private Practice. Check out more sightings on the rest of our blog — You may see a certain Stevie…
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