Dance to the beat of her jungles, streets and townships: Jitjive, Juju, Rai, Soukous, African jazz, Mbaqanga, Afro Caribbean rhythms and much more. AFRICAN ROOTS is one of KGNU's long lasting international music shows, on the air for more than ten years. It continues to entertain and inform african music listeners every Saturday, 4 to 6pm. Hosted by Jill Rosenbloom, Joe de Cordoba, Bill Nyerges, Moutiou Yessoufou and Ewket Assefa. For questions or announcements, email us (see above).
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Upcoming Performances & Events
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July 10, 2009 7:00 PM
Mohammed Alidu & The Bizung Family: St Julien Hotel, 900 Walnut Street, Boulder
Singer, songwriter and drummer, Mohammed Alidu and his band The Bizung Family, create dynamic and vibrant West African Highlife and Afropop music. The Bizung Family fuses traditional and contemporary elements from West Africa and Madagascar, creating a totally unique and passionately African sound.
July 31, 2009 10:00 PM
Mohammed Alidu & The Bizung Family: Boulder Draft House, 2027 13th Street, Boulder
August 5-9, 2009
The 7th Annual Camp Merveilles. West African Drum & Dance Conference
Camp Merveilles is a world-class conference that combines local West African artists with visiting faculty to bring the amazing spirit of West African drumming and dance to the Front Range. This is a unique opportunity for students of all levels to experience the teaching of master dancers and musicians in Boulder. Visiting artists this year are:
- Dance Faculty: Marietou Camara - Guinea, Alseny Soumah - Guinea, Titos Sompa- Congo & Rujeko Dumbutshena- Zimbabwe
- Music Faculty: Mohammed Camara - Guinea, Ishmael Bangoura - Guinea, Male Fainke-Mali & Amara Mansare - Guinea
All classes will be held at Streetside Studios, 6681 Arapahoe Avenue in Boulder. For more information and registration, go to http://www.kissidugu.org/camp_merveilles.htm
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All photos ©1999-2009 Neil Parker, for info or usage: artmill.net
Photos of African performers in Colorado shows and beyond
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6th Annual Baobao Festival, 3/7/09
photos now online
The 6th Annual BaoBao Festival presented a vibrant performance of traditional West African dance, drumming, music and storytelling at the Boulder Theater. Former members of the Ghana National Dance Ensemble, Boulder Pan African Ensemble, Streetside Hip Hop Dance Troupe and more played to an enthusiastic packed house.
The Baobab tree, thought to be thousands of years old, is a traditional gathering place in West Africa where community matters are discussed, stories are told, and people dance and drum. The BaoBao Festival, founded in 2004 and held in Boulder and Denver each March, draws on this tradition in its mission to build community through multi-cultural experiences in the performing arts. The festival, started by Boulder resident Adjei Abankwah, a lead dancer and choreographer with the Ghana National Dance Ensemble for 11 years, has been a perennial favorite among Boulder and Denver audiences.
BaoBaoFest.org
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Legendary Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour at the Boulder Theater, 12/07
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Hassan Hakmoun at the Gobalquerque world music festival 9/07. | photos |
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Baka Beyond performed at the Boulder Theater 9/07, with Dobet Ghanore (L) opening. [photos] |
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| Femi Kuti & Positive Force performed at the Boulder Theater on 7/31 | photos | |
Vusi Mahlasela performed at the Boulder Theater 3/07, Joined on stage here by Nii Armah Sowah. photos |
Baobao Festival 3/07, photos |
Dobet Gnahore (Cote D'Ivoire) at the Putamayo Acoustic Tour, 10/06 (Boulder Theater). The show also featured Mali star Habib Koite & Vusi Mahlasela, South Africa. [photos] |
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Amadou and Mariam live at the Boulder Theater
6/27/06 [photos] |
Baaba Maal live at Denver Botanic Gardens
6/13/06 [Photos] |
BaoBao festival 3/4/06 [Photos] |
RIP Ali Farka Toure! BBC story
(Bonnie Raitt with Ali Farka Toure, ©1999 Neil Parker)
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| Senagalese music legend Youssou N'Dour at Chautauqua Auditorium, 7/04. Photos |
King Sunny Ade at the Boulder Theater, 4/05. photos.
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The Global Groove Festival 6/04; featuring Thomas Mapfumo, Pato Banton, Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca and much more Photos. |
1st Annual Baobao Festival, March 2004. Photos |
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Hassan Hakmoun
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Oumou Sangare
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Femi Kuti
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Habib Koite
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Thomas Mapfumo (Live from KGNU!)
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