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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Support These Four Organizations To Help Fight Ebola

I am sharing with you a member email  I received from One.org – an international campaigning and advocacy organization of nearly 6 million people taking action to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa – about how we can be part of the solution to the deadly disease ‘Ebola’ that has already taken lives in its toll.

Dear Tosin,

Just days ago, the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in West Africa a global health emergency.

This virus is hitting countries with some of the weakest health systems in the world. Places that don’t have enough trained doctors and nurses. Clinics that don’t have enough supplies to run labs. Villages that don’t have running water or reliable electricity.

This outbreak is showing just how important it is to have strong health systems in place. And it shows why members like you continue to fight for long-term investments in health.

But we need to work together now to stop Ebola in its tracks. Yes, this is a scary and infectious disease – but it can be stopped. And although you may feel removed from the crisis, there are still ways you can help.

Read, learn the facts, and help dispel the myths. And if you’d like to support the courageous work being done in West Africa to fight Ebola, there are many partners who are doing tremendous work on the ground. Find out more about them here.

We’ll keep you updated with news and information – and thanks for your support.

– ONE

Find out  in the article of how you can support,  compiled by Malaka Gharib, reblogged from the ONE blog.

…….In the face of the worst Ebola virus outbreak on record, the international community has rallied around critical efforts to stop the virus’ spread and care for those affected.

You can be a part of the solution by donating to organizations that are providing vital support to communities in Western Africa, including these:

MSF

From MSF’s website: “If contracted, Ebola is one of the world’s most deadly diseases. It is a highly infectious virus that can kill up to 90 percent of the people who catch it, causing terror among infected communities. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has treated hundreds of people with the disease and helped to contain numerous life-threatening epidemics.”

Catholic Relief Services

From the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) website: “Catholic Relief Services is working to stem the deadly outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa, educating people about how the virus is spread so they can avoid catching it. CRS is working closely with local partners, government health officials, and religious leaders so that information can be channeled through trusted members of the community with a deep understanding of local belief systems.”

Africare

From Africare: “Africare is a Four-Star Rated, African-American founded development organization that works to improve the quality of life of people in Africa. Operating currently in 17 African countries, including countries most impacted by Ebola – Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria, Africare is aggressively supporting the fight against Ebola. By providing medical supplies, mobilizing our in-country staff to work with local partners including ministries of health, county health advisors, community leaders and healthcare workers, Africare is working to spread culturally sensitive messages in especially rural communities about Ebola and how to avoid contracting it and access treatment.”

Samaritan’s Purse

From Samaritan’s Purse’s website: “Samaritan’s Purse is mounting an aggressive and coordinated response to the largest outbreak ever documented of Ebola viral disease” …

Looking for other ways to get involved? You can help by spreading facts about the Ebola virus to fight misconceptions, learning more about how the global health community is responding and sharing personal stories from the doctors on the ground. The Centers for Disease Control is a great resource for reliable information, including this fact sheet.

Beautifully Dreaming.. Positively Doing..

x

Tosinger

ARISE O YE YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS!

Arise o Compatriots!..

Here’s sharing an opportunity with young and promising African people of Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Applications are now open for President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative. Only 500 accomplished young leaders will get chosen. You must be a resident or citizen from a Sub-Saharan African country. This means that US Citizens and Resident Aliens are NOT eligible.

“The Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative. President Obama launched YALI in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa. The Washington Fellowship, which begins in 2014, will bring 500 young leaders to the United States each year for academic coursework and leadership training and will create unique opportunities in Africa for Fellows to put new skills to practical use in leading organizations, communities, and countries”.

Young African Leaders Initiative is an unparalleled opportunity to:

• Interact with President Obama at a Presidential Summit in Washington, D.C.;
• Participate in a 6-week intensive academic and leadership program at a U.S. institution;
• Meet with U.S. government, civic, and business leaders;
• Access exceptional internship and apprenticeship opportunities;
• Expand your business or project through access to millions of dollars for small grant funding; and
• Join a continent-wide and global alumni network to help you seek innovative solutions to common challenges.

The motive is to take this knowledge back home and use for the advancement of the continent (Ile). Please share with others you think may be interested and eligible. Application ends  { on my birthday 😉 } January 27, 2014.  All the best.

More details on how to apply at http://www.irex.org/application/washington-fellowship-application-information

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the ‘Washington Fellowship’, I am just sharing good and worthy information with my African people as is one of the missions of my blog. Please direct all inquires to the contact on the site at washingtonfellowship@irex.org

Together we can,

Beautifully Dream… Positively Do..

xoxo

Tosinger