Thursday, October 30, 7:30 p.m., Fine Arts Center Concert Hall, Chamber Seating
$35, $30, $20; Five College, GCC and 17 & under $10
Beninese Afro-pop spitfire Angélique Kidjo is a Grammy award-winning music recording artist deemed “Africa’s premier diva” by Time Magazine. She’s collaborated with Carlos Santana, Peter Gabriel, Alicia Keys, Bono, Josh Groban, Branford Marsalis, Joss Stone, and many more. Known for her dynamic and uplifting music, she has translated her distinctive work in the arts to that of philanthropy; by promoting education for girls in Africa through her foundation, Batonga, and as a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador, Kidjo travels the world to inspire and empower.
Audience members are invited to a pre-performance talk by Bode Omojola, Five College Associate Professor of Music, Mount Holyoke College, 6:30 p.m. at the University Club.
Activism through Music
Wednesday, October 29, 6–7 p.m., Bowker Auditorium
Conversation with Angélique Kidjo moderated by Bode Omojola
Angélique Kidjo’s expansive career had been marked as much by extraordinary musical achievement as passionate advocacy and philanthropy for her homeland of Africa. Join us as Ms. Kidjo discusses the importance of her advocacy work and the role her music has played to advance social causes. Presented in conjunction with the Feinberg Family Distinguished Lecture Series.
Funded in part by the Expeditions program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support from the six New England state arts agencies.
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This was a great show! She is a very engaging and dynamic performer! I’m glad she finally got everyone off their feet — seems like she would have been very bummed if we hadn’t. It was my first time at the FAC, and I’d heard negative things about the acoustics, but didn’t notice anything negative at all. At times, her vocals were a tad high, but that seems like a sound engineer issue.
Everyone around me seemed to be having a great time!
Her energy and love of people all over the world created a hypnotic feeling from music that comes from the heart of everyone. One didn’t have to know the words/language as the combination of sound/feelings and art clearly came through. My personal favorite song was Maleka- The audience participation was authentic and not just a ploy to take a break. It created a feeling of community that seems to be essential in African music. I especially love the communication between band /group members which to me projects a unique communication to the audience/ listeners
Last week I was fortunate enough to experience Angelique Kidjo for the 3rd time; this concert at FAC, like the others, was profoundly uplifting and dynamic. She is a masterful singer, dancer, performer and song writer! Her band was stellar, especially the percussionist who played the Talking Drum and djembe. Best of all, she managed once again to engage the audience and get them moving, singing, feeling the connections between all of us. Through her music, her movement, her powerful presence, Angelique weaves together the personal with the political.