Africa Now 2014 at the Apollo Theater

 

The 3rd edition of the Africa Now weekend festival will take place Thursday-Sunday, October 9-12, 2014 at the Apollo Theater, 253 W 125th Street in New York.

The festival will showcase today’s South Africa’s music scene as the country commemorates the 20th Anniversary of Mandela’s Inauguration. While venues around New York City mark the occasion with some familiar names from the South African music circuit, the Apollo, in partnership with World Music Institute will present a new generation of socially-conscious, roots-based and progressive artists.

The triple-bill concert on the Apollo’s legendary Mainstage features:

The Soil, a 3-member a cappella group determined to uplift souls around the world with their divine voices and infectious swing. Their Kasi Soul-style of music combines rhythmic vocal bass lines, beat-boxing, and the type of sublime harmonies made famous by groups like Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the Soweto Gospel Choir.

Simphiwe Dana, a sultry Xhosa singer who blends traditional music with jazz, R&B and Afro-Soul for a sound that is at once rootsy and futuristic: think Miriam Makeba-meets-Erykah Badu. Dana’s songs reflect her staunch advocacy for new political discourse, education reform, AIDS awareness, and the betterment of the African people. Her discography includes Zandisele, One Love Movement on Ban and Kulture Noir.

Also scheduled to perform rapper Tumi Molekane.

Saturday, October 11, 2014, 8:00pm
$25-$55 Public • $20-$50 WMI Friends