West Coast Debut Of Ibibio Sound Machine Announced at the Skirball's Sunset Concerts

The Skirball Cultural Center continues its twenty-first season of Sunset Concerts with the West Coast debut of Ibibio Sound Machine on Thursday, August 3, at 8:00 p.m. Fronted by London-born Nigerian singer Eno Williams, Ibibio Sound Machine blends African and electronic elements, inspired in equal parts by the golden era of West African funk, disco, modern post-punk, and electro. The evening begins with DJ Jasmin Blanco of dublab, who will spin a set at 6:30 p.m.

The London-based Ibibio Sound Machine recently released their sophomore album, Uyai (Merge Records), which means "beauty" in the West African Ibibio language and refers to the strength and free spirit of women. The New York Times describes the album as "full of positive-thinking songs and deep, inventive grooves that hotwire decades of African, European, and American music." The band had been steadily forging a reputation as a high-energy live act since their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album in 2014, appearing on late night television and festival stages such as Later ... with Jools Holland, Glastonbury, Roskilde, and the BBC 6 Music Festival. They have also performed in iconic venues such Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London as part of Lauren Laverne's Wonder Women series.

Eno Williams, the band's singer and frontwoman, was born in London but as a young child relocated to her mother's homeland of Nigeria. The influence of geography and migration plays out in Ibibio's eclectic style of music, which combines London electronic club music with Nigerian funk and pop. Weird and wonderful folk stories, recounted in the Ibibio language to Williams as a child, form the fabric of the band's musical tapestry. Their Sunset Concerts performance marks the second date of their first U.S. tour.

The full schedule of the 2017 Sunset Concerts is as follows: American Tune Featuring Sean Watkins & Friends: A Singer-Songwriter Celebration of Paul Simon (July 27); the West Coast debut of Ibibio Sound Machine (August 3); the Los Angeles debut of Delgres (August 10); Daymé Arocena (August 17); David Buchbinder's Odessa/Havana (August 24); and the Los Angeles debut of Betsayda Machado y La Parranda El Clavo (August 31). All concerts begin at 8:00 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m.

2017 SUNSET CONCERTS Skirball Cultural Center 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90049 (310) 440-4500 * skirball.org All concerts begin at 8:00 p.m. Check-in and FREE admission to the Museum and Skirball campus begin at 5:30 p.m. Doors to the concert venue open at 6:30 p.m. FREE concert admission RSVP is requested but does not guarantee admission or seating, which is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Parking: $10 per car (cash only) Carpooling is encouraged. Street parking is strictly prohibited. Or take Metro Rapid 734/234
All Skirball exhibitions (except Noah's Ark) are free and open until 10:00 p.m. during Sunset Concerts, including Paul Simon: Words & Music. Audrey's Museum Store is open until 8:00 p.m.

Grab-and-go light fare, full bar service, and specialty food items will be available for happy hour and throughout the show. Guests may bring their own food. Note: No outside alcoholic beverages or chairs are permitted.
THE 2017 SUNSET CONCERTS ARE MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles Los Angeles County Arts Commission PepsiCo US Bank

Marking its twenty-first season in 2017, the longstanding summer concert series kicked off just a year after the Skirball Cultural Center opened to the public in 1996. During that inaugural year, the institution drew nearly 300,000 visitors, far surpassing an initial expectation of 60,000. In winter/spring 1997, seeking to build upon this early success, the Skirball began to hold monthly dinnertime concerts inside its restaurant, Zeidler's Cafe. The concerts were so well attended that the staff immediately rethought the event space. The following summer, upon popular demand, the Skirball launched a free four-concert series on Thursday nights. These performances took place in the Skirball's much more spacious central courtyard, offering a view of the hillside at dusk. The series was soon named Sunset Concerts. For several seasons in those early years, along with Grand Performances downtown and Santa Monica Pier's Twilight Concerts, Sunset Concerts represented one of the city's few free outdoor summer music series. Noteworthy Sunset Concerts performers over the years have included Yasmin Levy (US debut), Hugh Masekela, Vieux Farka Touré (LA debut), Natacha Atlas, Red Baraat, Conjunto Chappotín y Sus Estrellas (US debut tour), Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, and Novalima.

The Skirball Cultural Center is a place of meeting guided by the Jewish tradition of welcoming the stranger and inspired by the American democratic ideals of freedom and equality. We welcome people of all communities and generations to participate in cultural experiences that celebrate discovery and hope, foster human connections, and call upon us to help build a more just society.

The Skirball Cultural Center is located at 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049. Museum hours: Tuesday-Friday 12:00-5:00 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; closed Mondays and holidays. Admission to exhibitions: $12 General; $9 Seniors, Full-Time Students, and Children over 12; $7 Children 2-12. Exhibitions are always free to Skirball Members and Children under 2. Exhibitions are free to all visitors on Thursdays. For general information, the public may call (310) 440-4500 or visit skirball.org. The Skirball is also home to Zeidler's Café, which serves innovative California cuisine in an elegant setting, and Audrey's Museum Store, which sells books, contemporary art, music, jewelry, and more

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