Spotlight: Afro Artists performing @ SXSW 2015

SXSW Interactive: March 13–17 • Film: March 13–21 • Music: March 17–22

South by Southwest (SXSW) Music and Media Conference, the world’s leading music industry event, offers attendees the opportunity to explore the future of the music industry during the day at panels, talks, the Trade Show, Music Gear Expo and other conference activities at the Austin Convention Center. At night, the absolute best mix of musical performances from over 2,200 regional, national and international acts take place at the SXSW Music Festival. Altogether, SXSW presents unmatched networking opportunities, career-building conference programming and over 100 stages of music for showcasing bands and conference attendees. SXSW Music is now in its 29th year.

Here’s spotlighting a few of the African artists performing this year

Rocky Dawuni Afro-Roots Star Rocky Dawuni Performing at SXSW!! Cumbancha artist Rocky Dawuni, whose upcoming album Branches of the Same Tree releases worldwide on March 31st, is bringing his unique “Afro-Roots” sound to Austin at the following South By Southwest events: Monday, March 16th An acoustic performance and panel discussion at the “Social Good Hub” at SXSW (inside Trinity Hall) organized by the United Nations Foundation and the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves  at 4pm. Open to all badge holders. Wednesday, March 18th An acoustic performance at Flamingo Cantina also featuring Kabaka Pyramid and more from 10:50pm to 11:20pm. Open to all badge holders. Saturday, March 21st A full band performance at Quantum Collective Showcase from 4:20pm to 5:05pm on the rooftop of Whole Foods Market in downtown Austin. Must RSVP Here. Saturday, March 21st A full band performance at Rock Paper Scissors showcase from 9pm to 9:40pm with WOMEX and GlobalFest at the Russian House. Open to all badge holders. **Rocky Dawuni Band Performances Sponsored by Whole Planet Foundation, Marley Coffee and Marley Beverage  Rocky Dawuni is an international music star and humanitarian activist who transcends the musical boundaries between Africa, the Caribbean and the U.S. to create an irresistible sound. His music unites generations and cultures with infectious grooves and uplifting messages. You may have already heard the album’s first single “African Thriller” and seen its electrifying music video. If not, watch the video here. Filled with uplifting and irresistible songs, Rocky’s sixth album, and first on Cumbancha, blends inspirations from his diverse experiences while expanding on his identity as an artist, a proud son of Africa and as a true world citizen.

Laolu Senbanjo

Laolu Senbanjo

Laolu is about to head from New York City with his band, the Afromysterics to Austin, TX to South by Southwest, alongside fellow Afro Artists Ayo and Rafiya. Only a year old, this is the band’s first SXSW performance.
Laolu will be performing at Speakeasy Kabaret (412 N Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701) at 10:30 pm Thursday March 19, 2015. The showcase is presented by Digiwaxx and powered by OkayAfrica.Laolu & the Afromysterics / SXSW DATES
03/19 – Austin, TX @ Speakeasy Kabaret
xxx

Laolu & the Afromysterics is the brain child of Laolu Senbanjo, a self-taught musician, visual artist and a human rights lawyer. He’s the lead singer, composer, and the acoustic guitarist. Born and raised in Nigeria to Yoruba parents, he left his legal career behind to chase his dream of being a musician and artist full time in New York City. His band, the Afromysterics are made up of an eclectic group of musical geniuses from all over the globe. With influences from the likes of Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and Sade, the music definitely has its roots in the typical Yoruba traditions, yet Laolu blends in reggae, afrosoul, and hip hop into the songs. You have to witness this band live to feel the African groove for yourself.

Contact informationPlease get in touch with Kate at afromysterics@gmail.com or 646.239.6170 for guest list or interviews

http://www.LaoluSenbanjo.com
http://www.facebook.com/laolusenbanjo

http://www.twitter.com/afromysterics
http://www.instagram.com/laolusenbanjo

Showcase
World

Speakeasy Kabaret

Thursday, March 19

Photos (l-r): Nyla, Ice Prince, Victoria Kimani All photos courtesy of the artists via sxsw

Sounds from Africa and Sounds from the Caribbean will take over Palm Door on Sixth (508 E. 6th Street) for a crazy double-stage show at the 2015 SXSW Music Festival on Friday, March 20.With Afrobeat rapidly crossing over to U.S. audiences, a lot of attention is being paid to Africa’s vast and diverse cultures. As part of that, SXSW will be hosting the continent’s biggest artists at the first Sounds from Africa showcase, a cultural celebration of African music presented by Rickie Davies PR, Winnie K Management and Coyah Production. The lineup includes D’banj, Wiz Kid, Ice Prince, Samini, Sarkodie, Serge Beynaud, Victoria Kimani and R2Bees. Sounds from Africa will take place at the Palm Door on Sixth indoor stage.Meanwhile, SXSW music fans will also enjoy a one night explosion of the unique, diverse sounds from the Caribbean at the Palm Door on Sixth Patio. From Soca to Dancehall, Sounds from the Caribbean will celebrate music, culture and lifestyle enabling the audience to experience fun and energetic performances from such A-list artists as Morgan Heritage, Gyptian, Machel Montano, Laza Morgan and Nyla.Wishing all the artists all the best. For a full list of all the world music artists featuring – click here 

Another upcoming event to note, coming up in New York. Click graphic below for more info

http://www.afrodreamfest.com

Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing..

Tosinger

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AFRODREAMFEST – Celebrating AfroMusic Globally

My idea behind AfroDreamFest was inspired by the passion  to promote and give a platform to the new wave of indie African/AfroConscious/Afropolitan artists in the diaspora who do a variation of genres of Soul – Jazz – Roots – Folk – World – Afrobeat – Acoustic music laced with African elements, merging genres of music creatively and beautifully with Afro~cultural influences,musically and lyrically on a contemporary platform.

Afrodreamfest is an event that celebrates and promotes Neo Afro-fusion genres of music from the African continent and in the diaspora.

These are true Artists of African origin around the world who are this generation’s throwback to past eras of real meaningful music, keeping alive and making soulful music that is so uniquely creative and relevant across borders, infusing language and cultural aspects that reach for the soul and spirit.

Art by Nequa Gay specifically for Afrodreamfest

The vision is to tour the concert across different cities annually around May 25, the commemoration of African Liberation Day. It is currently independently produced and is open to partnerships and sponsorships to further expand the concept and its reach. The response to the movement has been positive and encouraging so far. Indie Afro artists need the on-ground presence to share their talents, and promote culture. I am one of them so I feel the need to step out as a visionary and make it happen.

​ The first edition of Afrodreamfest took place at the Southwest Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Recap:

The second edition which will be a benefit concert for two non profit organizations giving back to the African continent (Clean Water for Uganda and Adopt A Guitar Inc ( partnering with ‘Playing For Change’ ) will be taking place in Houston on May 25, 2014 at the Freneticore Theater featuring Yours truly :), Micheline Ewang, Ade Oniye and Babatunde. Tickets are still available at http://www.afrodreamfesthouston2014.eventbrite.com/ 

To stay updated on Afrodreamfest, like on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AfroDreamFest , follow on Twitter @afrodreamfest and check out videos at www.youtube.com/afrodreamfest. Website: www.afrodreamfest.com

Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing..

xoxo

Tosinger

Spotlight : Miss Uganda USA 2014 (@missugandausa)

During my stint as an Editor-at-large  for Applause Africa magazine, I wrote a feature on a darling pearl of Uganda, Hasifa Meriam Kivumbi, who is a dancer and a social entrepreneur with a touching story to tell, this would be the beginning of a budding sisterhood and an eventual program partnership in the coming weekend. I am so excited about the second edition of my Afrodreamfest project- Afrodreamfest Houston 2014 which will be a benefit concert/silent auction to support Hasifa’s platform/project Clean Water for Uganda and my new NGO – Adopt – A – Guitar. See flyer. Hasifa is the current, running Miss Uganda USA 2014 aiming for the Miss Africa USA 2014 crown. She undoubtedly has the beauty .. and the brains, the passion… and the drive to give back to the community and especially her continent.

Get to know Hasifa Meriam

Hasifa Meriam Kivumbi is the creator of 180 degrees, a non-profit organization with a mission to “create doors in places where there were once walls” through motivation, inspiration and celebration of personal achievements. As a representative of Uganda, she has taken on the challenge to partner with the Global Water Partnership in their efforts to create a water secure world by 2020 as her platform. In 2012, Miss Kivumbi was crowned Miss. UNAA (Uganda North American Association) and has since been working on bridging the gap in personal achievement between continental Africans and Africans in the Diaspora through 180 Degrees.
Miss Kivumbi has been serving her community for years and has received many accolades for her passion for life and compassion towards others. In 2012, she was named the year’s Local Hometown Hero by the Modern Woodmen of America Fraternal Organization. She has been highlighted for her talents in dance, writing and modeling in the New York magazine Applause Africa and has been featured in many beauty publications including BHF Fashion and Photography magazine.

Do not be fooled however, Miss Kivumbi is more than just a pretty face; she has a passion for learning and education. In 2010, she was initiated into the National Society of ‘Who is Who’ among American Students. In her professional life, she owns an independent beauty consulting business that she uses to motivate and inspire women to feel their most beautiful both inside and out. For three years now she has served as a website weaver for Helpothers.org, an online community of over 1 million participants. The website encourages people to change the world through small and random acts of kindness. She has served as the spokesperson for the Breast Cancer Initiative of East Africa and wishes to share her journey and experiences in humanitarianism in her upcoming book. Currently her energy is directed towards improving the lives of the people of her native Uganda with the Clean Water for Uganda Project

Hear her speak:

To follow Hasifa’s journey to become the next Miss Africa USA 2014, like her Facebook page here, and to support her CWUP platform click here.

Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing..

xoxo

Tosinger

 

 

Emmanuel 2013

♫ It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas ♫

Thanking God for the gift of his son ‘Jesus, Our Savior’ (‘Our Olugbala’  in Yoruba)  as we celebrate another Christmas, we must all remember to focus on the reason for the season – ‘Emmanuel ~God With Us’. Thanking God also for the gift of music and for blessing ‘Yours Sincerely’ with the gift of ‘Voice’. 🙂  I am particularly honored and blessed  to be continually recognized over time and afforded diverse platforms of expressions to share my talent. I love Christmas carols. As a teenager, I caroled with groups in my neighborhood and loved every moment of it. I sang with my Grandma in Catholic church choir and also witnessed various cathedral type music concerts. I believe these experiences contribute to my place on a larger stage today.

Afro /African, Folk, Jazz, Soul, Gospel, NeoSoul, Gospel, Reggae,I sing ’em all , well maybe not ‘Hip-Hop’ lol but I will be swimming in a not regularly chartered waters this coming Sunday, on an operatic and classical  note 🙂 as I appear as a Guest Soloist on the classic version of a song ‘Ise Oluwa’ which is also on my AfroSpire Demo project here . So if you are based in Atlanta, come out to the Emmanuel Cantata 2013 organized by The Maboush Group. Its a formal dress code event and its FREE with registration here

Hope to see you there. Come see your ‘Dreamer Girl‘ climb some glorious notes 😀

Beautifully Dreaming, Positively Doing..

xoxo

Tosinger