Monday, July 12, 2010 at 6:30
Dance Lesson at 6:30, Live Music at 7:30

“Simultaneously celebratory and elegiac, his tunes (like Marley’s) are danceable lamentations built around funky basslines, high-hat percussion and explosive brass.”
– Los Angeles Times

Afrobeat, the hypnotic Nigerian funk style invented by Femi Kuti’s late father Fela Anikulapo Kuti, is poised for world domination now that the Broadway musical FELA! is casting a kinetic spell over theatergoers. With his high-powered ensemble The Positive Force, Femi updates the classic Afrobeat sound with contemporary beats and lyrics that continue the tradition of speaking truth to power while aiming grooves directly to the pelvis.

Afrobeat
Lesson: Maija Garcia (associate choreographer of FELA!) teaches choreography from the musical
DJ: Rich Medina with Sahr

Damrosch Park
62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam buy the ticket here

Femi Kuti on Wikipedia

Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti (born 16 June 1962) popularly known as Femi Kuti, is a Nigerian musician and the oldest son of afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti.[1]

Femi was born in London to Fela and Remi Kuti and grew up in the former Nigerian capital,Lagos. His mother soon left his father, taking Femi to live with her. In 1977, though, Femi chose to move in with his father. Femi eventually became a member of his father’s band.

Like his father, Femi has shown a strong commitment to social and political causes throughout his career, but he differs from his father in his religious views.

He created his own band Positive Force in late 80s with Dele Sosimi (Gbedu Resurrection), formal key-board player of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. His international career began in 1988 when he was invited by the French Cultural Centre in Lagos and Christian Mousset[2] to perform at Festival d’Angoulême (France), New Morning Club in Paris and Moers Festival in Germany.

In 2001, Femi collaborated on his album Fight to Win with a number of U.S. musicians, such asCommon, Mos Def, and Jaguar Wright.

In 2002, Femi’s mother, who had played an influential role in Femi’s life, died at the age of 60. Femi’s 12-year-old son currently appears as part of his act, playing alto saxophone.

Femi Kuti’s voice is featured in the videogame Grand Theft Auto IV, where he is the host of radio station IF 99 (International Funk 99, described as “playing a great selection of classics from West Africa, the US and elsewhere”).

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