“A Unique Synthesis of African
inspired dance, rhythm, and
song: The Muntu Dance Theater of
Chicago”
By: Cara Joy
To
understand Muntu (from the Bantu
language meaning “the essence of
humanity”) is to experience a
fiery and unique synthesis of
African inspired dance, rhythm,
and song. Since its founding in
1972, the Muntu Dance Theater
has earned the title of one of
Chicago’s most
artistically-accomplished dance
companies. The company
continues to spread the word
about African dance and culture
through its performance of
traditional and contemporary
African, African-American and
Caribbean dance, folklore, music
and traditions. Performances
range from small ensemble pieces
to ballet performances. The cast
includes skilled dancers and
master musicians combined with
amazing choreography and
dazzling authentic costumes.
Muntu’s
repertoire includes works, such
as the “Djalli Dong” (Djalles
are oral historians) a dance
which is practiced in Guinea,
Mali and Senegal. Another piece
performed with as much vitality
is the “Village of the So-So
Women” based on the traditional
tale “Village.” Audience
members, for just a moment,
experience life in Sande Society
(a women’s initiation society)
where no men are allowed. Daily
village life is turned on its
head, when one of the young
women breaks a sacred trust; she
sneaks to the forests to meet
young men and lures them to the
sacred village. High energy
pieces such as these are sure to
incorporate an invitation for
audience members to join the
company onstage-where, hips
swivel, pelvises gyrate and feet
stomp to the rhythms.
Muntu
continues to achieve local,
national, and even international
fame. “When performing in front
of audiences from which the
dances originated, Muntu is well
received,” said Joan Grey,
president of the dance company.
Muntu has traveled to the UK,
Scotland, Brazil, Canada,
Mexico, extensively within the
United States, and all over
Africa. The company is a
remarkable assemblage of
performers trained in genres
such as Jazz, Modern Dance, and
African dance, just to name a
few.
For those
interested in classes or
professional training for their
promising young artists, Muntu
offers an array of services.
Gray reiterated that, “Muntu’s
core programs include
professional performances here
at home and abroad, classes for
the public and professional
training for emerging new young
artists, in addition to
comprehensive arts programs.”
For more information on upcoming
shows and events visit the Muntu
Dance Theater of Chicago online
at
www.muntu.com.
Travel, Mexico’s Best- Kept
Secret. –Huatulco, Oaxaca
By: Catiah Li
Huatulco,Oaxaca, pronounced:
(
wä
-tool-co\
wä-ˈhä-kä),
is a secret hideaway in Mexico.
Located in the southern part of
the state of Oaxaca, there are
nine bays with more than thirty
beaches, and most of them almost
completely untouched by man.
Luckily, Oaxacan traveling law
prohibits overbuilding of
resorts. Therefore, Huatulco
will never turn into a crowded
tourist trap like Cancun. The
prices are low, the food is
fresh, and the town’s people are
not yet jaded by the millions of
rude American travelers.
One can explore
(in relative privacy) the
beaches and bays, and snorkel or
dive to see the amazing fish and
coral.
I regretted
just how short my stay was at
Huatulco. My experience was
truly wonderful. This was a
place with crafty art, outgoing
Oaxaca kids with no concept of
strangers, tasty giant corn
tortillas, fresh oysters, hot
Mezcal, grilled
grasshoppers, and great waves to
ride.
I spent
most of the week there
snorkeling and exploring exotic
sea life. (You’d be surprised
how fast a day can go when you
are under water). Watch out for
the schools of gray fish. They
are not afraid of you and will
nip at your toes. You may take a
tour boat to any one of the
large beaches. I went to
Tangolunda. They informed us
that they had employed some
dolphins there, but since I saw
none. So I assumed that the
dolphins had been fired before
we arrived. I did spot a few
giant sea turtles, here and
there, coming up for pictures.
The food on any of these
destined beaches is good. Hunger
is the best spice, but even if
you weren’t hungry from a
three-hour snorkel trip, the
food is worth trying. My
personal favorites are the plate
of fresh-shucked oysters and
pan- fried conch.
My room in
the Gala Resort had a Jacuzzi in
the balcony. It’s a great place
to relax and watch the sea
storms brewing in the far
distance. Local liquors are
served everywhere and the only
advice I have for travelers is:
Don’t mess with Mezcal
unless you are serious- it
burns.
If you
value peace and quiet, the best
time to visit this Mexican
getaway are the months of
September through November. It
is rarely cold in Huatulco, but
it’s not as hot as the sandal
melting summers in other parts
of Mexico. Whenever you decide
to go, you will not be
disappointed.
The
Activist
Tanure Ojaide
Farafina Books (2006)
Price: N1000
324 pp
ISBN: 978-074-578-3
www.kachifo.com
Courage Under Fire in the
Motherland
By Dike Okoro
Celebrated Nigerian poet-scholar
Tanure Ojaide fires a salvo by
bringing us The Activist, a
provocative novel that
articulates the irony of oil
exploitation in modern Nigeria.
This exhilarating tale, rich
with local and universal issues,
weaves historical facts with
sophistication and passion in
telling the story of its
nameless protagonist, the
Activist. Reminiscent of Ralph
Ellison’s protagonist in The
Invisible Man (because of his
nameless identity), Ojaide’s
protagonist represents the very
opposite of the modern Nigerian
interested in fleeing the
stymied climate that favored the
rich and well-off. An educator
by profession, he abandons the
safety and comfort of life in
America and returns home with a
revolutionary vision to support
local communities in the fight
against military dictatorship
and multinational oil
companies.
Ojaide addresses issues of
universal concern with great
subtlety and clarity. His
descriptive language captures
the flora and fauna of his
African homeland. His sense of
history and exploitation of
local communities lends
legitimacy to his story. Only a
writer who has lived in such a
community could recapture the
sensibility of his characters
and the scenery of his setting
with such depth and precision.
This novel, unlike any other
work of creative imagination
written about the oil saga in
modern Nigeria, exposes the
factors responsible for the
creation of the "area boys", a
group of Niger Delta youth who
are constantly waging battles
with government forces as they
fight for their rights to gain
an equal share of the profits of
oil exploration in their
homeland.
The importance of women as
political and social forces in
their local communities is
another pivotal matter which
Ojaide addresses in The
Activist. He introduces readers
to the planned nude protest by
the elderly women of the Niger
Delta, whose region experienced
oil leakage and a massive fire
outbreak that claimed several
lives. The Activist, though
occupied with his acts of
protest, finds comfort in his
romance with Ebi, a young woman
and fellow university lecturer
with whom he shares a similar
visionary commitment.
Ojaide’s knack for socially
relevant themes immediately
places his book alongside books
written by many of Africa’s
finest novelists of social
realism, such as Ousmane Sembene,
Isidore Okpewho, Festus Iyayi,
and Ferdinand Oyono.
With this novel he certainly
announces his arrival as a
gifted voice committed to
telling stories that examine the
human condition in the face of
tyranny, oppression and military
dictatorship in Nigeria.
OLA FRESCA – ( R ) evolucion
Ola
Fresca proves true to their name
(translated: fresh wave) with
(R)evolucion, their new
album on Mr. Bongo Records. The
super group, comprised of front
man Jose Conde and a cast of New
York City’s finest musicians,
deliver intoxicating Afro-Cuban
rhythms heavily rooted in
tradition, yet refreshingly
unique.
Singer-composer-lyricist and
arranger, Jose Conde founded Ola
Fresca in 2000. (R)evolucion
is the band’s sophomore album.
The honed groove, which seems to
flow effortlessly throughout the
album, demonstrates the caliber
and experience of this group of
master musicians.
The
album is a fresh take on jazz,
salsa, cha-cha, soca, reggae,
mambo, and funk. These
decidedly danceable tropical
grooves create the perfect
summer soundtrack.
Ola
Fresca will be performing at
this year’s Chicago World Music
Festival.
At the
age of 45, Femi Anikulapo Kuti
has released seven albums since
1995, toured the world, and has
still managed to uphold the
energy and message of
Afro-Beat. His famed father,
Fela Kuti, created this truly
modern African genre, which
fuses Nigerian percussion with
free form jazz, funk and big
band. As a true son, he
reflects his father’s love of
music and involvement in
politics through his own version
of Afro Beat. Despite the
constant comparison to his
father, Femi has spent most of
his career striving establish
his own identity.
Femi on the AFRO-Beat Influence
The power of Afro Beat has also
forged a connection between many
displaced Africans. The
Diaspora, especially those from
the United States, that listen
to Femi are connected through
the rhythms and the message of
struggle and perseverance in
times of injustice.
African-Americans can connect
with the Funk and Jazz
influences due to its
familiarity, just as Femi
connected with Jazz in the
1960s. “I listened to my father
before I listened to James
Brown, but I loved
James. I was honored when he
called my father the ‘Son of
Nigeria’. “All the true Hip-Hop
artists listen to my father.
They are all Fela people; Wyclef,
Alicia Keys. This music has
traveled beyond imagination.
Even the Beatles came to Lagos
in the 60s and heard my father.
So it’s a message to the world
and the Black man that we are
all connected.” As one can
imagine, Femi was influenced by
his father, but many other
genres of music as well. “I
really love Jazz, all types, how
it’s structured and how
expressive it is. I would
listen to Quincy Jones and
Michael Jackson…anything that
was coming out of America is
what we would listen to.
Femi on His Music
Once his father was released
from prison, (this time after
accusations of exporting
Nigerian currency), Femi decided
to spread his wings. Leaving
his father to take up the reins
of Africa 70 once again, in
1986, he went on to form his own
group, Positive Force, with his
childhood friend, Dele Sosomi
(on keyboards). Two of his
sisters, Sola and Yeni, were
also recruited to the group as
dancers. His first solo album
No Cause for Alarm was a
great introduction to the world
as Femi began making his own
imprint on the Afro Beat world.
Now working on his eighth album,
Femi knows the impact of his
music on the world. “My music
crosses generations and I am
fortunate enough to be able to
do that. Whether we like it
or not, music plays an important
role in politics and if the
young people are listening to my
music as those who listened to
my father’s, then it will last a
lifetime.” Femi’s presence was
definitely felt with the Red Hot
+ Riot series as a benefit album
for AIDS research in Africa. At
the series’ conception in the
90s, his collaboration with
artists such as D’Angelo, Mos
Def, Common, Les Nubians and
Me'Shell Ndegeocello introduced
his father’s music to a wider
audience. He is now working on a
new album that is about seventy
to eighty percent complete.
Although he refused to reveal
the title, Femi concurs that it
[the new album] “feels like
Beng, Beng, Beng in terms of
production. “But I think it’s
better [than Beng,Beng, Beng],”
he declared, “It’s very clean
and tight, very Afro-beat-ish.
It will be very good for the
discotheques. Once we obtain
all of our visas we can complete
the rest of the album and we
hope to have a release date of
early next year.”
Femi
on Nigerian Politics
When asked
about the recent presidential
elections in Nigeria, Femi
responded, “There was no
election. The EU [European
Union] did not recognize it as
an election; therefore, there
was no election. There was an
election in France [between
Nicolas Sarkozy and Segolene
Royal] yes, but not in Nigeria.
So you see if Europe does not
recognize it, the world will not
recognize it. Obasanjo [former
Nigerian president] is only
putting his own people in power.
They [Nigerian politicians]
created the problem. We should
have learned from the U.S.
presidential elections [2000
election miscount].”
It is more
than obvious that Femi’s
political views are influenced
by his father’s. “Of course my
politics are my father’s. They
are a bit more hard-line than
his, because I viewed his
struggle firsthand. A father is
supposed to groom his son and
those that don’t are faulty.
So, yes, I would not be the
political or musical person
without my father.” Femi is
also working to pass the Kuti
legacy to his 11-year-old son
Made (Mah-day) who is a member
of Positive Force as well.
Femi on Family Drama
When it comes to the alleged
rivalry between Femi and his
younger brother Seun, Femi was
very poised and frank. “I don’t
want to openly criticize my
brother, but I will say that he
has apologized for any
wrongdoings and the real
question should be ‘Why should
there be a rivalry between us?
Why are people trying to create
a discord between us?’ This
should be posed to Seun’s camp
and not mine. I am a very happy
man and we are getting through
our relationship not as
entertainers but as brothers.
All I want is for my family to
be happy and safe and to promote
the freedom, justice and unity
of the Black man. This is what
my life consists of, not
destructive rumors.”
Femi and Positive Force will be
touring the United States this
summer. For more information go
to
http://www.femikutimusic.com/.
Unique Urban Voice -DJ TopDonn
There are not many venues in
Chicago that one can look to for
African music. Yet one Chicago
DJ has risen above the rest to
show that African music does
indeed have a place in the
Chicago party scene. Kenya-born
DJ Top Donn (born Don Owino)
spends many a night spinning
Kwaito, Ndombolo, Coupe Decalé
and Genge records in
different clubs around the
city. The 32-year- old crowd
mover took some time out to
reflect on his unique experience
as an African DJ in Chi-town.
1)
When did you start DJing?
Wow, that’s going to give away
my age! Anyway, I have always
had a passion for music, but I
started in 1992. [My first gig]
was at a club in Nairobi called
Choices. I worked in an
adjacent office and this club
was just opening up. I was able
to get one of my friends that
worked at the club to show me
how to work the turntables, and
from then on, I was always
looking to get my hands on some
records.
2)
What is your favorite spot to
deejay in Chicago?
It’s kind of hard to name one
place since I have deejayed at
quite a few places in Chicago. I
will however give special
mention to the Cotton Club
(which is now closed). It was
the first mainstream club in
Chicago to take a chance with
African Music.
4)
In
the world?
I
have deejayed in Africa, Europe,
and of course North America.
But, my favorite place to deejay
is Nairobi. Anybody who knows
anything about the club scene in
Africa, and Nairobi specifically
will attest to the fact that the
vibe in Nairobi is unbelievable.
People are knowledgeable about
their music and appreciate skill
and ingenuity, and that always
drives me to deliver at my
highest level every time I am
there.
5)
Speaking of Nairobi and
Africa in general,
Hip-Hop is a very big thing
there right now. How did Hip-Hop
influence your decision to do
what you do?
I
grew up on Hip-Hop. I still
consider the early 90s the
golden era of Hip-Hop, and that
era is when I just started
deejaying. Right now, African
Hip-Hop has emerged as a force
to be reckoned with. Groups like
Ukoo Fulani in Kenya and
Skwatta Camp in South
Africa are addressing issues
that the youth consider
important- like unemployment,
corruption and crime. I
actually have a show on
WorldSpace Satellite Radio
called the Hip-Hop Planet,
which airs in Africa, Europe and
Asia every Saturday. The show
focuses on African Hip-Hop from
all corners of the motherland.
5)
How would you describe your DJ
style?
It
depends on the situation. In the
clubs I try to bring as much
energy as possible, but at the
same time keep it simple. When
I’m mixing on air, it’s a
different situation. On air, I
primarily try to break new
artists and songs, as well as
showcase my turntablist skills,
since I really don’t get do to
that at the club.
6)
What legacy does DJ Top Donn
want to leave (professionally)
after the turntables stop
spinning?
A
knowledgeable, well-versed and
very versatile DJ. I would like
to be known as someone who
always moved the crowd.
DJ
Top Donn hosts “Afrodisiac” (a
night of Afro-influenced music)
every third Saturday of the
month at
Sayat Nova Lounge (157 E. Ohio
St.)
Army
& Lou’s
422 E. 75 St.
Chicago, IL
By Taheerah
Abdul- Rahmaan
A dining
staple of the Chatham
neighborhood on the South Side
of Chicago, Army and Lou’s
Restaurant, has been serving
traditional soul food for over
60 years. Started by Chicago
Defender writer, William
‘Army’ Armstrong and his wife
Louvella in 1945, the
restaurant’s first location was
in the Bronzeville area, where
its clientele included Black
artists such as Cab Calloway,
Nat King Cole and Dinah
Washington. Even political
figures like the late Mayor
Harold Washington and Reverend
Jesse Jackson Sr. have been
spotted at the restaurant.
Holding the distinction of being
Chicago’s oldest Black-owned
restaurant, Army and Lou’s has
become synonymous with Chicago
soul cooking.
Traditional
soul food lovers will not be
disappointed with Army and Lou’s
famous Fried Chicken, T-bone
steak, Fried Catfish,
Chitterlings and Baby Back Rib
dinners. Seafood entrees cover
such staples as shrimp and
perch, yet also include home-
style favorites such as fried
scallops, salmon croquettes,
crab cakes, and rainbow trout.
No soul food dinner is complete
without its famous side dishes,
which Army and Lou’s serves with
gusto. Macaroni and cheese,
seasoned leaf spinach,
spaghetti, sweet potatoes,
pickled beets and whipped
potatoes go well with the corn
bread and meat entrees that have
delighted the senses and
satisfied the appetites of Army
and Lou’s customers for decades.
If you’re
watching the weight, Army and
Lou’s is prepared with health in
mind, as all oils are trans-fat
free. Many of the restaurant’s
green dishes are baked with a
turkey base instead of pork
meat, and fresh vegetables and
greens are used instead of
canned options, all providing a
more modern approach to soul
food without denigrating Army
and Lou’s traditional cuisine.
Closed on
Tuesdays, Army and Lou’s is open
six days a week, from 9am
to10pm, and features live Jazz
musicians on Fridays from 6 to
10pm. If you’re looking for a
simple, dainty spot with some
good food for the soul, Army and
Lou’s is the place. It also
doesn’t hurt that Jesse Jackson
Jr. may walk in while you’re
munching on your juicy
T-Bone
steak.
Army and
Lou’s Secret Recipe for:
Southern
Style Chicken Stew
2 pounds
boneless chicken thigh meat
(skinned & cut in pieces)
1 cup fresh carrots (sliced)
1 cup celery (chopped)
½ cup fresh onions (chopped)
2 cups potatoes (diced)
I cup stewed tomatoes
1 cup whole kernel corn
1 cup cut okra (fresh or frozen)
½ tsp. white pepper
1 tbsp. corn starch
1 tsp. Cajun seasoning
1 tbsp. crushed garlic
3 tbsp. tomato paste
3 cups chicken stock
2 tbsp. olive oil
Sauté
chicken pieces in olive oil in a
four-quart sauté pan or Dutch
oven for five minutes. Add
carrots, celery, onions,
potatoes, white pepper, Cajun
seasoning and garlic. Cover all
with three cups chicken stock.
Simmer on high for 10 minutes.
Add stewed tomatoes, corn, okra,
and tomato puree. Mix corn
starch with ¼ cup cold water
until completely dissolved.
Slowly add to stew while
stirring. Cover and simmer for 5
minutes. Serve.
Calendar
Born as Bourama Farka Touré,
“Vieux” Farka Touré is the son
of world renowned Malian
musician Ali Farka Touré. An
excellent drummer, a good
calabash player and a master
guitarist, the 26-year -old is
the latest buzz in the Malian
music scene. Touré will be
performing at the Old Town
School of Folk Music’s Folk &
Roots Festival on Thursday July
15th at 6:15pm. (4544
N. Lincoln). For more info call
773 728-6000.
To
learn more about the artist
check out his exclusive
interview with
AFRIQUE
at
www.afriquenewsmagazine.com
July 11th
Film Screening for
Voisines Voisines
(Film about Senegalese
rap star Moussa Diop)
Part of the Chicago Summer
Screening Program
Where: Claudia Cassidy Theatre @
7:30 PM
For more info call (312)
683-0121
July 21st
36 Lions and L.I.T.E.
Present Soccer Tournament
A day of soccer games in the
featuring African
(and other soccer teams) in
Chicago
@ Montrose Park
July 28th
GHANA FEST 2007
(A national outdoor festival
displaying Ghanaian dance, food
and music.)
@ Washington Park
July 26th
South Shore Youth Jazz Ensemble
performance
Part of the
Made in Chicago: Home Cooked
Jazz concert series
Millenium Park @ 6:30 PM
Exhibits:
July 5th- August 26th
Soulful Expressions
Exhibit
(Display of art by renowned
Chicago artist Rhonda Gray)
Where: eta Square (7558
S. South Chicago Avenue)
For more info: call
(773)752-3955
