10.15: 9th Annual Black President’s Day & Finding Fela Screening

06 Oct 10.15: 9th Annual Black President’s Day & Finding Fela Screening

We can’t believe that we are headed into our ninth year, but oh how far we have come! On Wednesday, October 15th we celebrate the late great master of Afrobeat music. Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti was born on October 15, 1938, so we are honoring him on what would have been his 76th birthday. After a jaunt to Anacostia, we are back on U Street  with a night of tribute.

First, join us at Marvin for a limited-seated screening of the newest documentary Finding Fela and then afterwards at Den of Thieves, for the celebration. This also includes the return of the Queens’ Stroll and the some of our favorite djs, spinning Fela tunes, remixes and all manner of related Afrobeat tuneage.

 Finding Fela (Trailer)

Finding Fela tells the story of Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s life, his music, his social and political importance. He created a new musical movement, Afrobeat, using that forum to express his revolutionary political opinions against the dictatorial Nigerian government of the 1970s and 1980s. His influence helped bring a change towards democracy in Nigeria and promoted Pan Africanist politics to the world. The power and potency of Fela’s message is completely current today and is expressed in the political movements of oppressed people, embracing Fela’s music and message in their struggle for freedom. Finding Fela was directed by the Academy Award winning director, Alex Gibney.

REWIND: Black President’s Day (2012)

Going to both? A limited number of discount tickets are available for attending both, so don’t delay.