Spread Love presents SHÂKÂRÂ: Atlanta’s 9th Annual Fela Kuti Tribute

From the venue:

Spread Love presents SHÂKÂRÂ: Celebrating the music & spirit of Fela Kuti

Saturday, October 15, 2016

10 pm - 3 am

Museum Bar - 181 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30312

Tickets & Event Info: http://spreadlove.us

TICKETS: $15 in Advance with “CLATL” Discount Code; $20 in advance without code; $25 night of event

This event is for adults, 21+ years of age.There are several Paid Parking lots within walking distance of Museum Bar.

FEATURING...DJ KEMIT (Spread Love, Soul Makossa)RICH MEDINA (Jump N Funk)MARK HINES (Jump N Funk)DJ AUSAR (KALAKUTA SHOW, WRFG 89.3 FM)MAUSIKI SCALES & COMMON GROUND COLLECTIVEPHILIP KNOWLES & AFRICA FASHION & DESIGN WEEKJON GOODE (Author of CONDUIT, #1 on Amazon.com) KENNETH ZAKEE (Poet/Activist)AKUA TAYLOR (Singer/Songwriter)NIA WALKER (Black Lives Matter Activist)ATTALLAH SHABAZZ PAMOJA + THE ART OF HEADWRAPPING BAZAAR NOIR ARTIST MARKET, REGAL FACE & BODY PAINT, INDIE FILM & MORE!!

ABOUT SHÂKÂRÂ:

“Despite my sadness, I create joyful rhythms…with my music, I create change...I am using my music as a weapon.” - Fela Kuti

He was a global music icon, a purveyor of social awareness and a political activist. Amongst others, he was a rebel, Pan-African revolutionary, trailblazer, super producer/arranger, spirit man, narcissist and poet. During the 1970’s, Fela Anikulapo Kuti became a beacon of hope, unapologetically highlighting controversial social issues and disparities throughout the African Diaspora. This charismatic, multi-instrumentalist pioneered the musical genre Afrobeat, which combines jazz, funk, traditional highlife African music with percussion and high-energy vocals. Fela’s musical influence would spread in multiple directions. He transitioned in August 1997 due to AIDS related complications. Shortly after his demise, Fela celebrations, known as “Felabrations”, spawned around the globe.

In 2002, Grammy-nominated producer, Kevin “DJ Kemit” Hyman was tapped to host one such celebration; the Atlanta premiere listening party for Red Hot Organization’s Red Hot + Riot compilation benefit project: The Music & Spirit of Fela Kuti. The compilation featured African and American artists paying tribute to Fela’s legacy, music and spirit, while promoting AIDS awareness. At the time, DJ Kemit did not realize the impact that this Fela celebration would have upon his career.Fast forward six years later. DJ Kemit was in search of a new creative outlet. He’d grown weary and tired of the top-40 club scene. What had also grown was Kemit’s passion in being the messenger, music being the message, and the combined ability to transform and empower social change. In October of 2008, DJ Kemit, along with wife/business partner and PBS producer, Aishah Hyman, would create Spread Love, an Atlanta-based, bi-monthly art and music series whose mission was to foster an international outlook, offering melodic and soul-stirring music, as well as, promoting global peace through music. That same year, Spread Love launched its annual Fela Kuti celebration, Felabration Atlanta.

DJ Kemit has since been at the forefront of Atlanta’s week-long Fela Kuti tribute, attracting thousands of Fela fans/enthusiasts from around the world.The mini festival is jam-packed with films, forums, pop-up shops, art exhibits, international deejays and culminates with a massive, live-music, interactive dance party covering the landscape of funky, eclectic Fela-inspired musical terrain. Spread Love’s Fela celebrations have featured Fela Kuti collaborator, Roy Ayers; international Afrobeat band, Antibalas; original members of Fela’s Egypt 80 band and the cast of Award-winning, Broadway musical Fela!, produced by Will & Jada Pinkett-Smith and “Jay Z” Carter.

Beginning this year, the 9th Annual Felabration Atlanta is taking on a new persona, perhaps what could be an alter ego of Fela Kuti. The SHÂKÂRÂ is a “talking drum.” To embody its fresh new name and ignite Fela’s musical vision, SHÂKÂRÂ festivities will signify a deeper experience designed for a growing, more diversified audience. Still rooted in Fela’s empowering legacy, SHÂKÂRÂ explores a broader scope. The week’s events will highlight forward-thinking music, visionary technology, enlightened speakers, stirring art, innovative design, and fine cuisine from the African Diaspora. If you appreciate legendary music and find yourself in Atlanta around mid-October, check http://spreadlove.us for details and tickets to this unforgettable Fela Kuti tribute.

For more information, visit: spreadlove.us