Fela! The Award Winning Musical

"His Story Inspired a Nation. His Music Inspires the World."

Photos by Titilayo Akanke


         


     Fela is a stunning, colorful, musical tribute and biographical profile of Nigerian artist and political activist, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, known to most simply as Fela. Produced by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith, the award winning show is currently touring the country after fifteen months on Broadway. New Yorker, Stephen Hendel, writer, Jim Lewis, and choreographer and director, Bill T. Jones form the creative team who masterminded the production which has received three Tony Awards for Best Choreography, Best Costume Design for a Musical, and Best Sound Design of a Musical.

     Featuring Afrobeat which combines jazz, funk, African rhythms and harmonies, a genre pioneered by Fela, the story is told with pulsating drums, roaring horns, dancers who move with the grace of butterflies, and poignant monologues and vignettes which recount Fela's quest to unveil the political corruption in his country and the tragedy that befell him and his family as a result. In several sketches, Fela consults the spirit of his beloved mother, Funmilayo Anikulapo Kuti, who was also a human rights advocate. He seeks her guidance as he upholdss her legacy of challenging the system and seeking retribution for the oppressed and downtrodden masses.

     Fela's scathing lyrics called for obliteration of the corrupt regime, and demanded justice, freedom and human rights for the people of Nigeria. His message eventually stretched beyond the borders of his country and became part of a global outcry for human rights for the oppressed. As a result of his relentless condemnation of his country's political system, his mother was killed in an attack on his compound, and Fela was arrested 200 times and brutally beaten in many of those instances. He allegedly died of AIDS in 1997, but those close to him believe his death was the result of "one beating too many." His funeral was attended by a million people. In a world where Fela’s political perspective is still particularly relevant, his legacy and music continue to influence and inspire.

The award winning Broadway musical, Fela, was showcased in Baltimore at Morgan State University's Murphy Fine Arts Theatre as part of the national tour. Fela's music is available through Knitting Factory Records. For further details about the production, the artist and the show's touring schedule, visit www.felaonbroadway.com.

Radio Personality, Michael Baisden Calls for Mentors

Photos by Titilayo Akanke





     During his visit to Baltimore's Reginald Lewis Museum, nationally syndicated radio personality, bestselling author, and activist, Michael Baisden, hosted the showing of the documentary, Slavery by Another Name, once again called for African-Americans to get involved in mentoring youth, and urged attendees to get registered to vote. His DVD, Do Women Know What They Want? was available, and he signed copies of his latest book, Maintenance Man II.

     The film, Slavery by Another Name, examines the southern Peonage System, a form of "neoslavery" that existed from 1865 to 1945, in which African-Americans were sent to prison on minor and sometimes false charges for their free labor to be used in the industrial and manufactoring work force. Basiden said he chose the film because learning history has changed his life.

     "Without understanding history, we cannot understand how far we've come. The Peonage System was a result of a political system. That is why is is so important to vote," he said.

     The evening with Baisden, co-sponsored by radio station, Magic 95.9 on which his show airs in Baltimore, involved several organizations; among them, the Boys and Girls Club, 100 Black Men of Maryland, the National Action Network, and the NAACP. The Boys and Girls Club and 100 Black Men of Maryland both registered volunteers for their mentorship programs, and the National Action Network and NAACP registered people to vote.

Boys and Girls Club













100 Black Men of Maryland







Voter Rigistration




     With standing room only, the audience was filled with parents who brought their children and teenagers to participate in the event.

     Baisden, well known for his radio discussions about controversial topics and for his involvement in social and political issues, spoke of the connections between history, voting, and participating in social media. While he appreciates the opportunity to talk to millions of people via his radio show when situations such as Jena Six and the Trayvon Martin case arise, he also encourages people to use media such as Facebook and Twitter as an additional means of communicating. He said he learned about the Martin case on Twitter, not through mainstream media.

Meet and Greet and Booksigning

For further details about Baisden's radio show, books, DVDs, the anniversary celebration, or other events and activities, visit www.BaisdenLive.com.