A lecture by Michael E. Veal, assistant professor of ethnomusicology at Yale, titled“Voices that Echo: Tracing the Afrobeat Tradition,” and a corresponding concert by the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra will take place at Haverford College on March 20.
The lecture will be at 4 p.m. in Chase Auditorium and the performance will be at 9 p.m. in the Dining Center. Dr. Veal will be joined by the members of the orchestra for the discussion.
Afrobeat music was pioneered by the late Nigerian Fela Kuti. It combines the traditional African styles of Yoruba and highlife with American jazz, funk and big-band music. The Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra is a multi-racial Brooklyn-based group of 15 musicians and activists that play powerful, political music. They frequently tour the country and raise money for various social causes, such as the African AIDS epidemic.
The opening forum will focus on both the political and the musical origins of Afrobeat as well as its role in today's society. Veal, the author of a biography of Kuti, will share his knowledge of Afrobeat. The orchestra promises a rhythmic celebration complete with horns, brass, and English, Yoruba and Spanish lyrics.
These events are sponsored by the Center for Peace and Global Citizenship, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Collection, the Dean's office, and the Federation of United Concerts Series. The lecture is free. The concert is free to those with a Haverford, Bryn Mawr or Swarthmore ID and $10 for everyone else.
