1710 Mission St
San Francisco, California 94103

Africa is the motherland. Besides being the cradle of civilization, the continent is also the foundation of culture. On August 7, Maisha Productions celebrates Africa and its cultural heritage with Africa Rising!, a showcase of African music and Africa-inspired art, at Coda jazz supperclub.

Hosted by Emmanuel Nado (KKUP’s “Echoes of Africa”), the event features art by Githinji Wa Mbire, an Oakland-based painter and installation artist whose mixed-media creations revolve around an African theme. Githinji’s works, using wood, paper, canvas, oil paint, and other materials, all have one thing in common: the iconic, familiar shape of the African continent. Yet by spotlighting different facets of Africa—everything from Brazilian soccer star Pele to Michael Jackson—Githinji goes beyond a surface view to reveal a deeper meaning, evoking the rich cultural tableau of both Africa and the African Diaspora. The effect is one of immediacy, resonance, and connection.

The evening features a very special musical performance by Yacine Badian Kouyate, a Malian-born djeli, or griot, from the Bambara tribe. Yacine is a performer, composer, producer and ethnomusicologist who plays many instruments, including guitar, keyboard, balafon, djembe, and kamalengoni. The founder of the Sumanguru Institute, a network of scientists, linguists and artists exploring the link between modern science and the ancient wisdom of the Dogon and Bambara people of Mali, Yacine has shared stages with such legendary musicians as Salief Keita, Toumani Diabate, Miriam Makeba, Oumou Sangare, Hugh Masakela and Cecil Taylor.

Africa Rising! also features a set of African music infused with live instrumentation by Maisha Productions President DJ Jeremiah and the Afrobeat Nation. A native of Liberia, DJ Jeremiah spent three and a half years in a refugee camp in Cote D’Ivoire. He began his DJ career by playing music to lift the spirits of his fellow refugees, many of which were orphans suffering from the pains of civil war, strife, and political violence. Since relocating to San Francisco, Jeremiah has established himself as the region’s premier Afrobeat DJ, co-creating the AfroFunk Festival and opening up for international stars such as Femi Kuti and Salief Keita.

Africa Rising! promises to be a night of incredible music, amazing art – and undeniable cultural authenticity.

Maisha Productions Presents: Africa Rising!
Featuring Yacine Badian Kouyate
DJ Jeremiah and Afrobeat Nation
Art by Githinji Wa Mbire
Hosted by Emmanuel Nado
Saturday August 7
9:30 pm-2am, Coda jazz supperclub, 1710 Mission St. San Francisco
$10 Get your Ticket http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/121252

Official Website: http://maishaproductions.com

Added by afrofunk on July 31, 2010

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