Thursday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. in the Carleton College Concert Hall, the public is invited to a not-to-be-missed Celebration of African Song. "Acoustic Africa: Afropean Woman" features Dobet Gnahoré, the Ivory Coast vocalist and dancer who has garnered a reputation as one of the most vibrant performers in world music. Dobet, who won the BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music 2006 “Best Newcomer," made her North American debut in the fall of 2006 in Putumayo Presents: Acoustic Africa, alongside Habib Koite and Vusi Mahlasela. In 2010 Dobet Gnahoré won the Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the song “Pearls” in collaboration with India.Arie.
Also appearing are Ivory Coast bassist and vocalist Manou Gallo, who has gained acclaim as the bassist for Zap Mama, whose own music draws on rhythms of West Africa as well as funk and R&B; Kareyce Fotso, a young Cameroonian singer whose music is an intriguing combination of Afro-pop, Blues, and traditional African music; and Leni Stern, the acclaimed American contemporary guitarist who gained increasingly wide acclaim since releasing four recordings of African influenced material, joins with musical direction. These exciting singers will be backed by an all-star band including Ivorian balafonist Aly Keita (Omar Sosa, Joe Zawinul).
This event is free and open to the public. The Concert Hall is located on First Street, between Nevada and Winona Streets, in Northfield. For more information, including disability accommodations, contact Puzak Family Director of the Arts Steve Richardson at (507) 222-4389.
