Saturday, May 30 @ 7:30pm
General Admission: $25 / Students: $10
Egalitarian, of Dinkendo Family Band, is a Gambian Afro-Reggae singer. The Dinkendo Family Band had compilations from locally released singles spanning a two year period. It was during this time that Egalitarian truly came of age, both as a songwriter and as a musician. His first recording with his band, the Dinkendo, remains one of the finest Gambian releases, and launched his career. Subsequent releases include “Dinkendo, Fundin keelu, Suka Debo”, “Vulture” and “Liberate Africa” all of which achieved critical acclaim. Egalitarian was christened Momodou Lamin Bah and is the Founder of Gainako Foundation for Children Development and also the Chief Executive Officer at Gainako Entertainment. In 2004 he was awarded by Optimistic Production a hip-hop award for the single “’Suffer Down in Ya Yard’ which also won the best track for that yea in Senegal. He is a member of Artist United for Rap in Africa (AURA) formed in 2005, comprised of seventeen artists from ten West African countries. The group first toured Africa and continued in countries throughout Europe.
Tickets to the dance party will be sold at Fountain Park in Chestertown during the Saturday Farmer’s Markets, at Shrewsbury Parish, and the Garfield Center 410.810.2060 or www.garfieldcenter.org. For additional information contact Shrewsbury Parish at shrewsburychurch@gmail.com or call 410.348.5944.
AFRICA BY AMERICA DAY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
10am-noon – African Mask-Making @ Kidspot FREE
noon-1pm – Food Demos @ Chester River Wine & Cheese $5
1pm-2:30pm – Children’s Drum & Dance @ Kent County Public Library FREE
3pm-4pm – Drumming Demonstration @ Music Life FREE
4pm-5pm – Roundtable Discussion “Life of Senegal/The Gambia” @ The Bookplate FREE
7:30pm-10pm Dinkendo Family Band One World Dance Party @ Garfield Center for the Arts $25/students $10
About Africa by America Day:
An all-day cultural and musical event takes place in several venues around Chestertown, Maryland on May 30. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. and go on until 10:30 p.m. with a half dozen events to choose from. All events are FREE with the exception of a Food Tasting for $5 and the culminating Stage Show/Dance Party at 7:30 p.m. at The Garfield Center for the Arts, $25 general admission and $10 for students. “Africa by America Day” features the music of Egalitarian and the Dinkendo Band, the foods of Senegal and The Gambia, Mask-making, Drumming demonstration, talk with Gambian dignitaries at the Bookplate, and a children’s dance/drum program at the library and craft, culinary, and musical activities for all ages.
Sponsored by Shrewsbury Parish Episcopal Church and contributing community organizations, the full-day family event benefits several community youth organizations and SOS The Children’s Villages of The Gambia Trust Humanitarian Foundation. The agency provides support to the orphanages in Gambia and was founded by band members Egalitarian and the Dinkendo Family.
Committee Chair Carol Niemand is delighted to have the opportunity to host the band and the variety of events that will take place. “This type of outreach effort speaks to the many ways in which we can expand our knowledge and deepen our cultural awareness and understanding of the world in which we live. Africa by America Day promises to be fun and inspiring at the same time.”
Included in the day’s activities are: African mask-making at KIDSPOT at River Arts (free), Food demonstration at Chester River Wine and Cheese ($5), Children’s Drum and Dance at Kent County Public Library (free) with Dinkendo featuring Egali, Pacco and Ed Dwornik, Drumming demonstration at Music Life (free) with Pacco Dembe and Frank Gerber, Roundtable discussion at The Bookplate “The Life of Senegal/The Gambia” moderated by Dr. Tahir Shad of the Washington College History Department and featuring the Gambian Ambassador from Washington D.C. (free), an Invitation only reception at the GAR Building, culminating with a One World Dance Party at the Garfield Theater with Egalitarian and DINKENDO Band. Guests can enjoy a complimentary African a cocktail post-performance at The Kitchen at the Imperial with a $5 coupon as part of the ticket price, courtesy of Steve Quigg (chef, owner).
The musical performance will be held at The Garfield Center for the Arts at The Prince Theater, 210 High Street, Chestertown, MD. Price includes cash bar and specialty cake at intermission. Tickets are $25 and $10 for students.
A free Preview Concert for the main event will be held at JR’s Past-time Pub at 315 High Street, Chestertown, Maryland on May 21st from 7-9 p.m., featuring DINKENDO Band, (Egali, Pacco, and Ed Dwornik). African food samples will be available for purchase. Donations are welcome.
Egalitarian, of Dinkendo Family Band, is a Gambian Afro-Reggae singer. The Dinkendo Family Band had compilations from locally released singles spanning a two year period. It was during this time that Egalitarian truly came of age, both as a songwriter and as a musician. His first recording with his band, the Dinkendo, remains one of the finest Gambian releases, and launched his career. Subsequent releases include “Dinkendo, Fundin keelu, Suka Debo”, “Vulture” and “Liberate Africa” all of which achieved critical acclaim. Egalitarian was christened Momodou Lamin Bah and is the Founder of Gainako Foundation for Children Development and also the Chief Executive Officer at Gainako Entertainment. In 2004 he was awarded by Optimistic Production a hip-hop award for the single “’Suffer Down in Ya Yard’ which also won the best track for that yea in Senegal. He is a member of Artist United for Rap in Africa (AURA) formed in 2005, comprised of seventeen artists from ten West African countries. The group first toured Africa and continued in countries throughout Europe.
Tickets to the dance party will be sold at Fountain Park in Chestertown during the Saturday Farmer’s Markets, at Shrewsbury Parish, and the Garfield Center 410.810.2060 or www.garfieldcenter.org. For additional information contact Shrewsbury Parish at shrewsburychurch@gmail.com or call 410.348.5944.