Naomi Wachira photo courtesy of the artist
Saturday, July 30, 7pm
Magnuson Park
6310 NE 74th St
$50-200
BY PAUL RAUCH
Yeleen Production, a Seattle-based non-profit founded by Abdul Ndiaye, produces live world events for underserved and minority communities at low cost in the Seattle area. It serves as a platform for performing music and culture from Africa, addressing and expressing specific human needs. Those goals will be richly achieved with a one-day live music festival in July entitled, Seattle Summer Stage.
With a theme of “Empowered Women,” the festival aims to strengthen social, cultural, and economic equality for women. The African-focused lineup includes internationally renowned Nigerian singer Yemi Alade, West African artist Dobet Gnahoré, and locally-based Nigerian artist Naomi Wachira.
Alade is a Nigerian singer/songwriter, actress, and entertainer. She has released four albums and an EP that included hits such as “Johnny,” “Na Gode,” and “Bum Bum.” Alade is an Afro-pop sensation who has won Best Female Artist in 2015 and 2016 at the MTV Africa Music Awards and has been both a BET and MOBO nominee twice.
Gnahoré hails from Côte d’Ivoire and is a Grammy-winning singer, dancer, and percussionist. She is best known for taking Afro-pop music from her country and exploring the outer boundaries of the genre. Her powerful stage presence includes dance and emotive vocal artistry. She recently departed from her acoustic style for more electric, danceable grooves. She is best known in the U.S. for her collaboration with India Arie, winning a Grammy in 2010 for Best Urban/Alternative Performance.
Wachira is a Seattle-based singer/songwriter in the stylistic mode of Miriam Makeba and Tracy Chapman. Born and raised in Kijabe, Kenya, she is the author of two acoustic EPs and a full-length, self-titled album. Her current composing practice is deeply impacted by the present state of the world.
Yeleen Production exists to strengthen ties within Seattle’s African community and bridge community relationships and outreach throughout and beyond Washington State. “We want to celebrate music, visual arts, food, and education by presenting some of the best African female artists in the world. We work proactively to bring diversity and cultural enrichment to the city of Seattle and King County,” says Ndiaye.
The festival will be staged on July 30 at Magnuson Park Hangar 30 and will be a 21+ event. Music groups, singers, art, clothing, and cultural vendors will be present, along with food trucks. Doors open at 6pm for a 7pm downbeat. Tickets at eventbrite.com/e/seattle-summer-stage-tickets-366043133867.
