August 1, 20196:00 pm - 7:00 pm John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20566, USA
Venue & Event Link - Free show BKO Quintet: A Journey into the Heart of Mali ventures into the heart of contemporary Malian music, combining two of the West African nation’s most well-known musical traditions, those of the hunter’s harp and the griot’s harp. Their fresh approach translates into an electrified and highly danceable set of music representing the urban scene in Bamako today.
Feedel Band
Feedel Band
August 1, 20198:00 pm - 11:00 pm Bossa Bistro & Lounge, 2463 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Venue & Event Link - $10 EthioJazz all-stars Feedel Band bring their funky mix of genres to Bossa every first Thursday of the month!
With the largest Ethiopian community outside of Ethiopia itself, it’s no wonder DC birthed Feedel Band, a group with ties to the homeland but reverence for imported rhythms and global tones. “Feedel” means “letter” or “alphabet” in Amharic – a fitting name as the band is developing a musical language all its own, paying its dues to trad EthioJazz but also rewriting the book on the genre.
The members of Feedel Band boast bang-up résumés, having performed with many illustrious musicians, both individually and as a group. They take their cues from Ethiopian legends such as Walias, Ibex, and Roha Band, but their style of Ethiopian funk, soul, and jazz is straight original.
Doors: 8 pm Cover: $10 at the door
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FILM: Reggae Boyz
FILM: Reggae Boyz
August 3, 20197:00 pm - 8:30 pm Tommy Douglas Conference Center and ATU International Headquarters, 10000 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20903, USA
Event & Ticket Link - $15 HOUSE OF DJELI Presents AfroFilms Series: Reggae Boyz Synopsis: Plagued with poverty and violence, Jamaica tries to inspire its populace by qualifying their national team, the 'Reggae Boyz', for the World Cup. When their efforts start to fall short, Winnie Schäfer, a colorful German coach, teams up with reggae musicians to unite Jamaica beyond the soccer pitch.
Documentary / Germany / 2018 / 75min
Director: Till Schauder
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Ivoirian Economic & Cultural Festival
Ivoirian Economic & Cultural Festival
August 4, 20199:00 am - 10:00 pm Veterans Plaza, 1 Veterans Pl, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
Event Link - Free Festival! 10th Annual Ivoirian Economic & Cultural Festival featuring food, music, vendors and more. All free!
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Cheick Hamala Diabate
Cheick Hamala Diabate
August 6, 20199:30 pm - 11:30 pm Bossa Bistro & Lounge, 2463 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Bossa Bistro website “Cheick Hamala’s Griot Street Band carried the evening from beginning to end. They played two sets; one in the middle that appeared to wake everyone up, and the one that closed out the night with people of all ages, sizes, and nationalities. At one point during the crazed dancing, an elderly man fell smack down on his behind from dancing so fast and then to our surprise leaped right back onto his feet without skipping a beat." — Voice of America
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Chopteeth
Chopteeth
August 8, 20197:30 pm - 8:30 pm Frying Pan Farm Park Pavilion, Herndon, VA 20171, USA
Event Link - Free concert series! Chopteeth is a 12-piece Afrofunk orchestra exploring the common groove between the funkiest, most hip-shakin’ West African and American popular music on the planet.
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FILM: African Diaspora Int'l Film Festival
FILM: African Diaspora Int'l Film Festival
August 9, 2019 - August 11, 2019 Cloyd Heck Marvin Center, 800 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
Event & Ticket Link - $13 per film / $11 studentsThe African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF)–DC will hold its 13th Anniversary from August 9 to 11, 2019 at the George Washington University (GWU) Marvin Center. DISCOVER 16 ENTERTAINING AWARD WINNING FICTION AND DOCUMENTARY FILMS – INCLUDING 12 US AND DC PREMIERES. Celebrate the human experience of people of color from around the world!
For a full schedule and to order advance tickets online please visit www.nyadiff.org/dc-2019/ or call 212.864.1760.
Step Afrika! Summer Steps
Step Afrika! Summer Steps
August 9, 20196:00 pm - 7:00 pm John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20566, USA
Venue & Event Link - Free show! Summer Steps with Step Afrika! is a week-long summer camp for students in rising grades 4 to 12. The camp culminates with a “step show” performance for family, friends and the public.
Adekunle Gold & The 79th Element
Adekunle Gold & The 79th Element
August 9, 20197:00 pm - 12:00 am The Howard Theatre, 620 T St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Venue & Ticket Link - $29.50 advance / $39.50 day of Adekunle Gold is a Nigerian born and bred Afro Pop and Highlife artist with a wholesome spirit, native roots and music that speaks to the world. He gained recognition from his very first release, "Sade", a love song which sampled the instrumental from One Direction's "Story of My Life". Subsequent to the his first single he dropped two albums "Gold" and "About 30" in 2016 and 2018 respectively which both debuted at no 7 and no 9 on the Billboard Chart in world category. Adekunle released a single on the 1st of March 2019 (Before You Wake Up) and judging from the reception, this year's project due for release in the summer is going to be a widely received success. His current single "Before You Wake Up" is available on all platforms.
Chopteeth
Chopteeth
August 9, 20198:00 pm - 11:00 pm AMP by Strathmore, 11810 Grand Park Ave, North Bethesda, MD 20852, USA
Venue & Ticket Link - $22-$29 This 13-piece Afrofunk orchestra explores the common groove between the funkiest, most hip-shakin’ West African beats and American popular music. At the core of Chopteeth’s sound is Afrobeat—a big-band funk invented by Fela Kuti in 1970s Nigeria that’s a spicy stew of modern jazz, Yoruba tribal music, and burning, James Brown-inspired rhythms. “A storming powerhouse of big-band African funk, Chopteeth is smart, tight, and relentlessly driving: a definite don’t-miss” (Washington Post).
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FILM: African Diaspora Int'l Film Festival
FILM: African Diaspora Int'l Film Festival
August 9, 2019 - August 11, 2019 Cloyd Heck Marvin Center, 800 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
Event & Ticket Link - $13 per film / $11 studentsThe African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF)–DC will hold its 13th Anniversary from August 9 to 11, 2019 at the George Washington University (GWU) Marvin Center. DISCOVER 16 ENTERTAINING AWARD WINNING FICTION AND DOCUMENTARY FILMS – INCLUDING 12 US AND DC PREMIERES. Celebrate the human experience of people of color from around the world!
For a full schedule and to order advance tickets online please visit www.nyadiff.org/dc-2019/ or call 212.864.1760.
Wunmi & Sahel
Wunmi & Sahel
August 10, 20197:00 pm - 9:30 pm Fort Dupont Street Southeast, Fort Dupont St SE, Washington, DC 20020, USA
Event Link - FREE festival Fort Dupont Summer Concert Series World Music Night Featuring award-winning performer Wunmi, DC-based Afropop band Sahel and DJ Aphrosoul Lukumi.
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FILM: African Diaspora Int'l Film Festival
FILM: African Diaspora Int'l Film Festival
August 9, 2019 - August 11, 2019 Cloyd Heck Marvin Center, 800 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
Event & Ticket Link - $13 per film / $11 studentsThe African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF)–DC will hold its 13th Anniversary from August 9 to 11, 2019 at the George Washington University (GWU) Marvin Center. DISCOVER 16 ENTERTAINING AWARD WINNING FICTION AND DOCUMENTARY FILMS – INCLUDING 12 US AND DC PREMIERES. Celebrate the human experience of people of color from around the world!
For a full schedule and to order advance tickets online please visit www.nyadiff.org/dc-2019/ or call 212.864.1760.
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Cheick Hamala Diabate
Cheick Hamala Diabate
August 13, 20199:30 pm - 11:30 pm Bossa Bistro & Lounge, 2463 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Bossa Bistro website “Cheick Hamala’s Griot Street Band carried the evening from beginning to end. They played two sets; one in the middle that appeared to wake everyone up, and the one that closed out the night with people of all ages, sizes, and nationalities. At one point during the crazed dancing, an elderly man fell smack down on his behind from dancing so fast and then to our surprise leaped right back onto his feet without skipping a beat." — Voice of America
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Birthright Annual Concert
Birthright Annual Concert
August 17, 20192:00 pm - 9:00 pm UDC Theater of Arts, 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Event & Ticket Link - $10 (students) $20 - $100 (VIP) Marketplace - 2 pm / VIP Reception - 5 pm Theatre Doors - 6:30 pm / Show time - 7 pm Traveling to Africa for the first time can seem daunting and far away for the first timer. We make it easy for you to travel and focus on your experience. We specialize in travel to Ghana, West Africa which we believe is the best place to start for first time travelers to Africa. Birthright Journeys provide a full, well-rounded experience on the ground of both traditional and modern life in Ghana. Whether we're curating a customized trip for you, your school, family, friends, or organization; or you're attending one of our pre-planned themed journeys, we work with you from beginning to end to ensure you have experience of a lifetime. We partner with South African Airways who fly direct to Ghana from Washington Dulles International (IAD). Our standard journeys are all-inclusive w/ several a la carte options.
DC Afrobeats Block Party
DC Afrobeats Block Party
August 17, 20194:00 pm - 11:00 pm Karma DC Live Music Venue, 2221 Adams Pl NE, Washington, DC 20018, USA
Event & Ticket Link - $0-$100The summer is about to be really lit!!! We taking Afrobeats to the streets of the nations capital. Get ready for a total Afrobeats takeover at this festive Afrobeats outdoor party. Anticipated to be one of our the biggest events of the summer in the DMV this event will feature 6 of the top Afrobeats, Dancehall & Hiphop DJs, fashion, performances, body painting through our retail vendors, Afro-Caribbean cookout through our food vendors and full bar with some of the best mixologist in the city. Last year's event was a big sucess and sold out event. Don't wait. Get your tickets now.
Its going down outdoors in the large patio of Karma DC on Saturday August 17th featuring an incredible lineup of star DJs.
Get ready for a festive vibe and a cultural shock experience on the streets of the DC where our DJs, live acts , food and retail vendors will put the vibrancy and diversity of African cultures on full display
Age Limit: 21 and over
FILM: Besouro (The Assailant)
FILM: Besouro (The Assailant)
August 17, 20197:00 pm - 10:00 pm Tommy Douglas Conference Center and ATU International Headquarters, 10000 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20903, USA
Event & Ticket Link - $15 HOUSE OF DJELI Presents AfroFilms Series: Besouro (The Assailant)
SYNOPSIS: A Brazilian fighter (Aílton Carmo) must avenge the murder of his martial-arts mentor
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The true story of Manuel Henrique Pereira, who rose to fame in Brazil as a fighter for freedom and a master of Capoeira (a fusion of dance and martial arts), is brought to the screen in this historical drama.
In the early 1920s, slavery had been outlawed in Brazil, but that did little to improve the lives of the poor blacks that worked the nation's plantations and were still treated like beasts and not men. Col. Venancio (Flavio Rocha), the owner of a large agricultural operation, is outraged when he learns that one of his overseers, Master Alipio (Macale), has been teaching Capoeira to his employees.
Few believe it's a coincidence when Alipio is found dead under mysterious circumstances, and the ghost of Alipio appears before Manuel Pereira (Aílton Carmo), nicknamed Besouro and one of his star students. Alipio urges Besouro to use his talents to lead a revolt against Venancio and others like him so that people may enjoy prosperity and respect; communing with the gods, Besouro hones his skills to levels unknown to his peers, and leads a battle of the poor against the powerful.
Besouro was the first feature film from director Joao Daniel Tikhomiroff, who previously established himself directing television commercials.
( Source: Rottentomatoes.com)
Sahel (Semi-Acoustic)
Sahel (Semi-Acoustic)
August 17, 20199:00 pm - 12:00 am Safari DC Restaurant & Lounge, 4306 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20011, USA
FB Event Link - (no info on cover)African/Caribbean/Afro-Latin/Brazilian grooves. Special semi-acoustic show & our first at this stylish new African venue. Bring your dancing shoes!
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Cheick Hamala Diabate
Cheick Hamala Diabate
August 20, 20199:30 pm - 11:30 pm Bossa Bistro & Lounge, 2463 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Bossa Bistro website “Cheick Hamala’s Griot Street Band carried the evening from beginning to end. They played two sets; one in the middle that appeared to wake everyone up, and the one that closed out the night with people of all ages, sizes, and nationalities. At one point during the crazed dancing, an elderly man fell smack down on his behind from dancing so fast and then to our surprise leaped right back onto his feet without skipping a beat." — Voice of America
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Joseph Frantz Louis
Joseph Frantz Louis
August 24, 20198:30 pm - 11:00 pm Port-au-Prince Haitian Cuisine, 7912 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
FB Event Link - no cover! Meet us at Port-au-Prince - a crossroads for those who love Haiti, her culinary and artistic offerings, as well as the arts and culture beyond her shores. Indeed, we aim to be a true "port" where the world intentionally collides! Next up in our music series, we present to you Haiti's very own, Joseph Frantz Louis !
Internationally acclaimed and dynamic Haitian entertainer Joseph Frantz Louis, founder of Le Fan Productions, LLC, performs and composes jazz, reggae, Haitian folk songs, intertwined with Brazilian and African rhythms, for a global sound that is like none other.
For over twenty five years, Joseph has been among the most beloved instrumentalists in the Washington Metropolitan area, His passion for music began at a young age, playing the drums then moving on to the bass guitar. A strict upbringing forced him to hide his talents, but his fervor for music never strayed. He formed the band Boukman Eksperyans, before moving to the United States to further his music training and pursue a professional career as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter.
Throughout his career Joseph has maintained the middle ground between jazz and classical guitar with great style and grace. As lead guitarist for the Washington D.C. based soca group, Image Band for over twelve years, Joseph traveled and performed with many of the industries major soca and reggae artists from the United States and Canada, all the way to the U.S. Virgin Islands. He was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Smithsonian in recognition for his exceptional contribution and participation to the diffusion of knowledge about folk life traditions. He was nominated for Best Guitarist in the Greater Washington Metropolitan area by the WAMA Association in 1991. He has performed for countless music festivals and concerts throughout the United States, Canada, and the West Indies, and even an official Inaugural Ball for President Bill Clinton. On his latest compilation, Between a Rock and a Heartbreak, he has redefined his own unique and diverse take on musical rhythms, beats, and sound.
Join us as we welcome Joseph to the port! As always, there is no cover charge but RSVP at https://paphaitiancuisine.com/reservation is strongly encouraged to ensure seating !
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DC Highlife Stars
DC Highlife Stars
August 25, 20196:00 pm - 7:30 pm 1 Veterans Pl, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
Event Link - Free Festival [2019 Harvest Moon Festival] DC Highlife Stars have been lighting up dance floors across Maryland and DC with their infectious blend of hip-shaking music from West Africa, along with original compositions that bring the party into the here-and-now. Bandleaders Eme Awa (Eme & Heteru) and Michael Shereikis (Chopteeth Afrofunk Big Band) have assembled a choice crew from among the DMV's deep African music community to explore this stripped down, guitar Highlife sound. The result is five world-class groove masters -- from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and the US -- slinging deep-pocket bass, soaring double-helix guitars and earthy harmonies all so you can forget your troubles and dance!
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Cheick Hamala Diabate
Cheick Hamala Diabate
August 27, 20199:30 pm - 11:30 pm Bossa Bistro & Lounge, 2463 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Bossa Bistro website “Cheick Hamala’s Griot Street Band carried the evening from beginning to end. They played two sets; one in the middle that appeared to wake everyone up, and the one that closed out the night with people of all ages, sizes, and nationalities. At one point during the crazed dancing, an elderly man fell smack down on his behind from dancing so fast and then to our surprise leaped right back onto his feet without skipping a beat." — Voice of America