Mali to Madison: The Queen of Desert Blues

posted on SEADiaspora

Author: Linda Vakunta

I jolted as I read the article title my friend had just forwarded me, “Timbuktu Encircled As Mali Coup Intensifies.” I checked my clock. It was 8 AM—much too early for such distressing news. Plus, I had decided to actively spend more time reading positive developments from the continent. As expected, this is not an easy task given the heavy dose of negative media produced for global consumption when it comes to Africa. The British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) segment, African Dream, is currently on top of my list for regular positive reads about Africa. The segment’s goal is to highlight an individual from Africa that is making significant change and impacting their community positively.

World is Africa Tour: Cameroon

On WORT 89.9 FM Panafrica show (http://www.wort-fm.org/listen.php) this Saturday, May 5, 2-4 PM CST, we continue our World is Africa tour with a musical and cultural  journey across the West-Central African country of Cameroon. Often referred to as "Africa in Miniature", Cameroon/Camerounis home to over 200 ethnic groups and a vast diversity of landscapes. Cameroon's music reflects its position as one of Africa's cultural crossroads.The Beti or Ewondo around the Yaounde region are the among the most numerous and play Bikutsi music among many other styles. Bikutsi is loosely translated as beating the ground continuously. Beti gatherings are divided into, 1) an imaginary, mythological or spiritual phase known as Ekang, and 2) real life phase that constitute Bikutsi.

Bonjour Bombino De Niger

published by SEADiaspora

Author: Linda Vakunta

“Bonjour Bombino”

“Salut”

“Comment va tu?”

“Ca va, merci”

“Et le voyage?”

My co-host, Alhaji N’jai, and I went backstage to get acquainted with the artist before introducing him on stage. The young Tuareg guitarist and songwriter appeared a bit shy—the effects of a new environment, no doubt. He was dealing with a language barrier and a mild case of nervousness. It very well could have been a combination.  As we spoke, he loosened up, finally hearing a language he could respond to—French, with an heavy African accent.  He was reserved but smiled often, although, only enough to show some teeth. We went into the artist’s tent to meet his band members. They were less shy and a bit more eager to engage than their front man.

Meeting Seun Kuti

Author: Linda Vakunta

Cooking for a rock star and his entourage is exactly what you would expect, backbreaking work. As I pre-heated a big pot of oil to fry puff-puff and sliced ripe plantains to make everyone’s all-time favorite West African side dish, do-do, I wondered what it would be like meeting Seun Kuti. I was going to find out in a matter of hours when I would meet him before and after his concert at the UW-Madison’s beautiful Memorial Union. Actually, my first encounter came during a promotional telephone interview on the popular Pan African radio show I host with my colleague Alhaji N’jai. In the interview, Suen Kuti seemed quite the conscious, direct and fearless young man you would expect any offspring of Fela Kuti to be. His father was a saxophonist, composer, and pioneer of Afro beat music, not to mention a renowned Pan Africanist and a political maverick.

How to Become a Zumba Instructor

Becoming a zumba instructor is easy. Just take the one-day Zumba Basic Instructor Workshop offered by zumba.com and you are qualified. It is also recommended but not required to become a Certified Group Fitness Instructor through AFAA or Ace Fitness. And you really should also be CPR certified.

On WORT 89.9 FM Panafrica- African Acoustic Guitar (Bombino In Town)

Tune in this Saturday, April 14th, 2-4 PM CST (http://www.wort-fm.org/listen.php) for another edition of PANAFRICA on WORT 89.9FM featuring some of the greatest guitar legends out of Africa and the world. 

Also on Panafrica, WORT On Air Auction.

Upcoming Concert

• Niger Tuareg Guitar Legend, Bombino, April 15th, 8pm at High Noon Salon

On WORT 89.9 FM Panafrica: Music of Angola

On WORT 89.9 FM Panafrica show (http://www.wort-fm.org/listen.php) this Saturday, February 4th, 2-4 PM CST (3-5 ET), we head down south for a World is Africa tour of cultural and musical tour of Angola. Once part of the Congo Kingdoms, Angola suffered from a violent Portuguese slave trade that saw over 4 million of its people shipped to Brazil and the Caribbean. Post-Independence also saw the country torn into a civil war that pitted the MPLA Government backed by soviet union and Cuba against the rebels UNITA supported by US and its Allies.