Fela Kuti News

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world's most popular dance companies, brings its 21-city U.S. tour to the McCallum Theater in Palm Desert for one performance tonight, April 11 at 8:00pm. Following record-breaking performances in New York City that brought full houses to their feet, Ailey's second season led by Artistic Director Robert Battle is thrilling audiences in major cities across the country. Artistic Director Robert Battle continues to surprise and delight audiences with premieres and new productions that expand his vision for the company, adding dynamic choreographic voices to the repertory that give Ailey's extraordinary artists new ways to inspire.

At the conclusion of FELA!, the Afrobeat political awareness musical, now on stage at the Palace Theatre, caskets are carried onto center stage and piled up. On top of the stack of caskets, emblazed with names such as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X and words such as 'freedom,' 'bullying' and 'oppression,' was a vertical box of death entitled, 'Chardon High School.' Yes, FELA! is filled with music, but it is a wrenching tale of genocide, oppression and death, not only in Nigeria, where the show is set, but across the world, including a Cleveland suburb.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world's most popular dance companies, returns to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts for the first time in 13 years for a seven-performance engagement at the David H. Koch Theater June 12-16, 2013. Today, Artistic Director Robert Battle announced repertory for the season anchored with a world premiere by celebrated choreographer Ronald K. Brown, along with encore performances of 2012-2013 season premieres and repertory favorites, including Alvin Ailey's acclaimed American masterpiece Revelations.

In just under two weeks, the Fulcrum Point New Music Project ensemble, led by Artistic Director Stephen Burns, teams up with West African music and dance experts to present Afro-Beats! in a special encore engagement at the Logan Center for the Arts, University of Chicago, 915 E. 60th Street, today, March 23 at 2 p.m.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world's most popular dance companies, brings its 21-city U.S. tour to the McCallum Theater in Palm Desert for one performance on Thursday, April 11 at 8:00pm. Following record-breaking performances in New York City that brought full houses to their feet, Ailey's second season led by Artistic Director Robert Battle is thrilling audiences in major cities across the country. Artistic Director Robert Battle continues to surprise and delight audiences with premieres and new productions that expand his vision for the company, adding dynamic choreographic voices to the repertory that give Ailey's extraordinary artists new ways to inspire.

Producers Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith and Ruth & Stephen Hendel previously announced that Grammy Award-winning recording artist and former member of Destiny's Child Michelle Williams would star in the national tour of the award-winning Broadway musical Fela!, coming to Miami's Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts from tonight, March 19 - 24.

Grammy Award-winning recording artist and former member of Destiny's Child Michelle Williams stars in the national tour of the award-winning Broadway musical Fela! Check out production shots of Williams and the cast in action below!

In just under two weeks, the Fulcrum Point New Music Project ensemble, led by Artistic Director Stephen Burns, teams up with West African music and dance experts to present Afro-Beats! in a special encore engagement at the Logan Center for the Arts, University of Chicago, 915 E. 60th Street, Saturday, March 23 at 2 p.m.

FELA! has announced its return to Atlanta for six performances only tonight, February 28, 2013 - March 3, 2013 at the Fox Theater, 660 Peachtree Street, NE in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.

Marking its 15th Anniversary this year, Chicago's Fulcrum Point New Music Project has grown into a critically acclaimed ensemble performing adventurous contemporary classical music programs in a variety of Chicago area venues. In 2013, Fulcrum Point continues this tradition with a wide ranging season including a performance with 100-member orchestra of the John Corigliano film score, 'Altered States,' accompanying the film screening, April 23, in honor of the composer's 75th birthday year, along with presenting a free Concert for Peace in the Pritzker Pavillion at Millennium Park with special guest artists, sarod virtuoso Soumik Datta and the Chicago Children's Choir, September 11.

Producers Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith and Ruth & Stephen Hendel have announced that Grammy Award-winning recording artist and former member of Destiny's Child Michelle Williams will play the role of Sandra Isadore, activist and love interest to Fela Kuti in the national tour of the hit Award-winning Broadway musical Fela!, coming to Cleveland for three performances ONLY at PlayhouseSquare's Palace Theatre, April 2-4, 2013. Tickets are on sale now!

Serendipity or divine will brought Adesola Osakalumi to the role of Fela. Adesola's father owned a record label and a record store in the Bronx. Fela Kuti, the Nigerian multi-instrumental musician and human rights activist would come into the store. As a child, Adesola met him two times, observing the soul of the man. Now as an adult, Adesola is unfolding Fela's music, beliefs and life story.

What is anticipated to be an extraordinary evening of an homage to both Black History Month and the legendary international star, Josephine Baker, is scheduled for tonight, February 4, at 7 P.M., when Gelan Lambert, Miami-born star of the Broadway musical hit, FELA!, will be guest speaker at the World Erotic Art Museum WEAM), 1205 Washington Avenue.

Former member of Destiny's Child Michelle Williams joined the national tour of the hit Award-winning Broadway musical Fela! when it opened at Sidney Harman Hall in Washington, DC on January 29. Fela! received three 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Choreography. Williams and the rest of the cast met the press just last week, and you can check out what they had to say below!

What is anticipated to be an extraordinary evening of an homage to both Black History Month and the legendary international star, Josephine Baker, is scheduled for Monday, February 4, at 7 P.M., when Gelan Lambert, Miami-born star of the Broadway musical hit, FELA!, will be guest speaker at the World Erotic Art Museum WEAM), 1205 Washington Avenue.

Former member of Destiny's Child Michelle Williams will join the national tour of the hit Award-winning Broadway musical Fela! when it opens at Sidney Harman Hall in Washington, DC on January 29. Fela! received three 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Choreography. Williams and the rest of the cast met the press earlier today, and you can check out full photo coverage from the festivities below!

Former member of Destiny's Child Michelle Williams will join the national tour of the hit Award-winning Broadway musical Fela! when it opens at Sidney Harman Hall in Washington, DC on January 29. Fela! received three 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Choreography. Williams and the rest of the cast met the press earlier today, and you can check out a photo preview from the festivities below!

Ginger Baker is known for playing in Cream and Blind Faith, but the world's greatest drummer didn't hit his stride until 1972, when he arrived in Nigeria and discovered Fela Kuti's Afrobeat. After leaving Nigeria, Ginger returned to his pattern of drug-induced self-destruction, eventually settling in South Africa, where the 73-year-old lives with his young bride and 39 polo ponies. This documentary includes interviews with Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Carlos Santana and more. With every smash of the drum is a man smashing through life, and smashing the filmmaker's nose on the last day of filming.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world's most popular dance companies, will embark on a 21-city US tour from January 30 through May 19th. Following record-breaking performances in New York City that brought full houses to their feet, Ailey's second season led by Robert Battle will move audiences in major cities across the country, including: Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Newark, NJ; Boston, MA and Robert Battle's hometown Miami, FL, among many others.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world's most popular dance companies, will embark on a 21-city US tour from January 30 through May 19th. Following record-breaking performances in New York City that brought full houses to their feet, Ailey's second season led by Robert Battle will move audiences in major cities across the country, including: Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Newark, NJ; Boston, MA and Robert Battle's hometown Miami, FL, among many others.