Fela!

Spectacular and inspiring, FELA! celebrates the songs of Fela Kuti, the founding father of Afrobeat, a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies. Fela was a musical rebel with a political cause, famous for mixing his sensual, eclectic sounds with simple and powerful lyrics that openly assailed Nigeria's oppressive dictatorships.

Featuring a live, 10-piece Afrobeat band, performing with nine singers and dancers, along with a backdrop of projected documentary excerpts, the concert reveals a man who was both an incredible artist and a strident human rights activist.  Fela was recently compared to Bob Marley and Friedrich Handel in a BBC article.
Award-winning film maker Alex Gibney’s new documentary Finding Fela has brought the self-styled ‘Black President’ into renewed international focus. Broadcaster Nick Bollinger has reignited the memory of Fela with a beautiful and thought-provoking review of Fela’s youngest son Seun’s new album A Long Way to The Beginning, which he made with his dad’s original band, Egypt 80.

FELA! The Concert reveals Kuti's life as an artist and human rights activist and celebrates his pioneering music in what has been hailed as one of the most exciting, exhilarating and vital stage experiences in recent memory.

Featuring members of the original cast from the highly acclaimed Broadway production, the concert is a full-on celebration of Kuti's most captivating songs.

Year Level: 9-13
Subjects: General, Drama, Music.
Resource: Notes on FELA!     

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