FELABRATION – Annual Tribute to FELA KUTI
Presented by Spread Love, Jump N Funk, Hot Ice
w/ support from Giant Step, Knitting Factory Records & 595 North Event Venue
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009
595 NORTH EVENT VENUE
595 NORTH AVE, NW ATLANTA 30318
Doors open at 10 pm
Admission: $20 at Door / $15 in Advance at Moods Music in L5P or online at www.ExperienceSpreadLove.com.
It is rare that an artist erupts onto the musical landscape, defines a genre, shakes the world to its core and departs too soon leaving a legacy that can fill the night sky. Jazz had John Coltrane. Rock had Jimi Hendrix. Afrobeat had Fela Kuti and on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24th - SPREAD LOVE, JUMP N FUNK, HOT ICE, 595 NORTH EVENT VENUE, GIANT STEP and KNITTING FACTORY RECORDS pay homage to the life of Nigeria’s warrior poet and the Godfather of Global Soul with FELABRATION!
FELABRATION takes its audience through an interactive journey of the life of Africa’s most prolific musical pioneer: first, with a documentary, "Music is the Weapon," live art, traditional African body/pace painting, highlights of the FELA! Broadway Musical, and a special performance by one of Fela’s collaborative partners, ROY AYERS!!
Leading the evening’s tribute are DJ KEMIT, minister of sound for SPREAD LOVE, and RICH MEDINA, the global ambassador of Jump N Funk. DJ AUSAR, host of WRFG’s Kalakuta Show, will open the night with a musical libation befitting a king. Then MAUSIKI SCALES & COMMON GROUND COLLECTIVE will provide the live musical foundation for ROY AYERS and his magical vibes.
DJ KEMIT and RICH MEDINA will close the night with a record-for-record mash up of Afrobeat, Soul, Funk and House- reminiscent Fela’s legendary collaborations with JAMES BROWN, ROY AYERS, and GINGER BAKER, just to name a few.
Guests will receive parting gifts (commemorative FELABRATION posters) courtesy of Giant Step and Knitting Factory Records.
Fela Kuti was born October 15, 1938 in Abeokuta, Nigeria. In 1961 he formed Koola Lobitos in London, two years later, he created “Afrobeat”, which was inspired by James Brown, the Yoruba culture, high life and jazz. He founded a commune/recording studio called the Kalakuta Republic, complete with his own private nightclub, The Shrine.
His music served as a rallying cry for the disenfranchised, critiquing the military government and made Fela not only a pop star but a political figure as well. People took to the streets singing his songs and the military responded by viciously harassing Fela, jailing him and nearly killing him on several occasions. One million people attended his funeral in Nigeria. Now, many more millions all over the world celebrate Fela's life, legacy and music, each year at international FELABRATION gatherings.
FELABRATION comes only once a year. Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate the life and work of an extraordinary man.
For vending or sponsorship opportunities, media inquiries, and table reservations contact:
Aishah Rashied Hyman –
email: arashied@mail.com
tel. 866.286.8405.
For more event details, directions or tickets:
www.ExpereinceSpreadLove.com
tel. 866.286.8405.
FELABRATION Atlanta on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=143947627397
DJ KEMIT on Facebook:
facebook.com/djkemit
International FELABRATION facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=175616319185
Giant Step FELABRATION web site:
http://www.giantstep.net/felabrations
