Afrofunk Festival October 22, 2011

A famine of epidemic-scale proportions is currently ravaging Somalia, further endangering hundreds of thousands of African refugees already suffering from the effects of drought, poverty, disease, civil war and ethnic and religious violence. A large percentage—as much as 60 per cent—of those affected are children, and both militant groups and government troops have blocked food aid. Make no mistake: this is a crisis situation.
The choice is clear: we can turn our backs on what’s happening, or we can do something about it.

Kenyan-born, San Francisco-based musician-activist Sila Mutungi urges us to do the latter. “The Bay Area has shown time and time again it is at the forefront of cultural and community consciousness and activism. Although the world has been slow to act, we have spearheaded events which raises funds and awareness. We want to make a difference and prove to the world that once again, the Bay Area has heart!”

On October 22nd, Sila headlines the 2011 Afrofunk Festival, the latest in a series of annual humanitarian events benefitting aid organizations which help African refugees. 100% of proceeds from the Festival will be donated to CARE, a humanitarian aid organization working to improve conditions in the horn of Africa. Sila, a 2010 NAACP Image Award winner, will be playing newly-penned material from his upcoming album, “Super African,” as well as longtime favorites from past efforts with the Afrofunk Experience (which he co-founded).

The bill also features Black Nature, an original member of the Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars, the critically-acclaimed African musical collective who formed a band after escaping from war and violence in their homeland. Rounding out the lineup is DJ Jeremiah aka “Mr. Afrobeat” -- a native of Liberia who began DJing during his time in an Ivory Coast refugee camp.

“I asked Black Nature and Jeremiah to join me in this event because I wanted to bring the experience of what it’s like to be a refugee home,” explains Sila. “Most people cannot conceive of the incredible hardships that refugees face, and what it takes to survive that experience. Yet in spite of all that, they are both amazingly positive individuals, who have a great attitude toward life.”

PLEASE DONATE DIRECTLY TO CARE AT:
https://my.care.org/site/Donation2?df_id=9600&9600.donation=landing&s_src=redppcgdadaab9600&s_subsrc=helpcareget9600careanddadaab&cr=tothoseinneed&gclid=CLrX3uiroqsCFRdTgwod5zgZiw

CONTACT THE WHITE HOUSE AND ASK THEM TO ACT:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

2011 AFROFUNK FESTIVAL
Featuring Sila (http://silaband.com/), Black Nature (Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars), DJ Jeremiah (Kalakuta/Afrobeat Na Go Die), more TBA.
Saturday October 22, 8pm, 18+
Brick & Mortar Music Hall, 1710 Mission St., San Francisco
Tickets: $15 at http://www.ticketfly.com/event/58707/;
100% of proceeds to benefit CARE (www.mycare.org)

Official Website: http://www.ticketfly.com/event/58707/