Entertainment
Rocky Dawuni, Buyepongo, Jeremy Sole, Glenn Red, Kahlil Cummings, for Afro Funke’ @20
KCRW & the iconic Grand Performances are teaming up for an extraordinary night in honor of the 20th Anniversary of Afro Funke’ on Saturday, July 22, 2023 from 6 to 10 pm at Grand Performances in downtown Los Angeles.
The event is free, all ages and picnics are welcome.
Patrons have been urged to come out and celebrate the legacy of the once-weekly party night that turned global, with live performances from Rocky Dawuni and Buyepongo, plus DJ sets from Afro Funke’ resident DJs Glenn Red.
This would be complemented by Jeremy Sole (resident KCRW DJ too!), live drumming and dancing by the amazing Kahlil Cummings & friends! Join us for Afrobeat, Latin, Brazilian, Indian, Jamaican and other traditional and remixed world rhythms, plus African drumming and dancing, DJ Culture, arts & crafts, merch and much more!
About Afro Funke’
Afro Funke’ which is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2023, was the brainchild of 3x GRAMMY nominated Afro Roots musician and activist, Rocky Dawuni, who realized LA’s need for a night dedicated to African music, culture, and art and it’s far-reaching legacy around the world. Afro Funke’ was a super successful weekly event every Thursday night at Zanzibar in Santa Monica for over 10 years with the generous support of owners Louie & Netty Ryan and then moved on to be a periodic event throughout Los Angeles at various larger and smaller scale venues including Levitt Pavilion, Grand Park, Hammer Museum, Fowler Museum, Townhouse in Venice as well as international events.
Dawuni (who is now based in his native Ghana,) together with producer, talent curator, and photographer Cary Sullivan created Afro Funke’, bringing on board resident DJ and co-founder DJ Jeremy Sole (KCRW, Le Frique Sonique) Afro Funke’ has presented international guest DJs, live band performances, guest musicians, dancers, cutting edge films, record release parties, fundraisers, fashion shows, art and photography installations, crafts and more.
Sole spins his unique “Musaics,” or sound collage-blends of hip hop, jazz/funk, dub reggae, afro beat, and remixed world beats; pieced together with tribal breaks, and uplifted by dubbed-out turntable manipulation and live instrumentation. DJ Glenn Red (La Junta) is our second resident DJ and is an integral part of the Afro Funke’ Sound System.
Afro Funke’s profile has been greatly enhanced by its unique photo-based flyers which feature Cary Sullivan’s cutting-edge photographs of West African life.
About Rocky Dawuni
Afro Funke’ founder, Rocky Dawuni with his full 12-piece “Afro Roots Band” will headline the night. The three-time GRAMMY-nominated musician and activist straddles the boundaries between Africa, the Caribbean, and the US that unites generations and cultures. A galvanizing performer, Dawuni has shared the stage with luminaries including Stevie Wonder, Ozomatli, Sauti Sol, Peter Gabriel and John Legend. Named one of Africa’s Top 10 global stars by CNN, he has showcased his talent at prestigious venues such as The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and The Hollywood Bowl. Rocky is a UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment for Africa. Through these and other designations, he uses his music to shine a light on crucial issues facing humanity across the globe through live concerts, speaking roles, panels, youth empowerment, and much more!
http://www.rockydawuni.com
https://www.instagram.com/rockydawuni
The Christmas festivities were nothing short of fun and excitement, especially for patrons of Dodi World in Akosombo in the Eastern Region.
A major highlight was a memorable voyage aboard the famous MV Dodi Princess II, a 150-capacity pleasure boat, which sailed to the scenic Dodi Island, an 84-hectare natural haven.
Among the patrons was a vibrant social group known as ‘Weekend Day Out’, which brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds and workplaces to interact, share ideas and enjoy memorable leisure experiences.
On December 26, the group joined hundreds of other fun lovers to fill the vessel to capacity for what many described as an experience of a lifetime.
The over five-hour journey from Dodi World through to Dodi Island was electrifying. Patrons enjoyed breath-taking rare views of the island’s rich natural scenery and wildlife before returning onboard for the cruise back to the starting point.
The atmosphere was further enlivened by music from DJs and a live band, complemented by an array of drinks and grilled meals, ensuring both young and old had something to cheer about throughout the voyage.
For members of the Weekend Day Out group, the trip served as a joyful reunion with friends after a year of professional commitments, while also providing an opportunity to plan future adventures in the coming year.
Speaking after the event, one of the patrons, Ms Gloria Yaa Baby, said although she had embarked on the voyage several times, the most recent experience was particularly breathtaking and memorable.
“This one was different, with more people and interactive sessions. It gave me many reasons to return and experience the fun again with the Weekend Day Out group,” she stated.
With another exciting adventure scheduled for March this year, she encouraged Ghanaians to make time out of their busy schedules to relax, unwind and enjoy life.
By Spectator Reporter
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Joshua Kojo Ampah, a member of the Keche group has stated that the attitude of Nigerian audience during the performance of Ghanaian artiste Stonebwoy and Wendy Shay at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) held in Lagos, Nigeria was intentional.
The hiplife artiste shared his sentiments on social media over the cold reception given to the Ghanaian performers.
“They know Stonebwoy’s songs, they know Wendy Shay’s songs, but they will not get up to hail you. They know what they were doing,” he stated.
He added that performances by Stonebwoy and Wendy Shay were top notch but most audience did not want to relate to the song.
“Is there was any rapper in Africa bigger than Sarkodie? Are there any dancehall artistes in Africa bigger than Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy” he quizzed.
He contrasted this with the energetic reception given to Nigerian legend P Square, who performed at the same event.
Joshua blamed this on the Ghanaian attitude towards its own artistes within the Ghanaian music industry itself.
He argued that the lack of respect for local talents in Ghana was responsible for their reception abroad.
“But do you know why we are not respected out there? We do not see ourselves as such. “Until we in Ghana start respecting our own, the people out there will not respect them,” he concluded.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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