Weekend Entertainment!
Voices of Africa
Voices of Africa are an Internationally acclaimed, all women's a cappella and percussion ensemble. They perform a powerfully unique blend of soul-stirring a cappella harmonies and African Percussions. The instruments they play are the Sekere (Shay-ka-ray), Sakara (Saa-ka-ra) and Sangba drums and Agogo (ah-go-go) double headed bells). Their music spans the African Diaspora and brings a powerful message about our culture and tradition as African descendant women who dare to play drums.
www.voicesofafrica.net
Bitch
Bitch is an entertainer who lives in NYC. (You may know her from her former band Bitch and Animal (Righteous Babe Records), or John Cameron Mitchell's movie “Shortbus”). She is a musical poet. She uses the electric violin to rock. She plays the bass, keyboards and ukulele. One thing you can count on with this compelling performer is her ability to command a stage and her radical lyrics and antics. Her most recent release, “Make This/Break This” came out on Kill Rock Stars and is her first solo studio album since leaving her former band. It combines her violin and words and bass mostly, and there's one track of just her and her ukulele. It's performance-arty, heartfelt and pushy.
www.bitchmusic.com
Erin McKeown
From elegant pop to balls-out rock,sweet electronics to witty swing, Erin McKeown has packed a ton of music into her young career. With 5 albums, 2 EPs, and numerous soundtracks and compilations to her credit, the 29-year-old songwriter and multi-instrumentalist hasn't stopped for a breather in the last 10 years. Along the way she has averaged 200 shows a year and garnered the praise of fans and critics alike. McKeown's newest release is Lafayette, a rollicking evening with her six-piece Little Big Band.
www.erinmckeown.com
Virago
Virago is Amy Schindler and Maire Tashjian an original, high energy, acoustic guitar and percussion duet. The core of their music is an edgy rock sound that pulsates with undercurrents ranging from American blues to Afro-Brazilian samba. Their cover songs include selections by the Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge, KT Tunstall, Bruce Springsteen, 4 Non-Blondes and Janis Joplin. Virago has a passion for Brazilian music which has inspired them to perform songs in Portuguese and their listeners may hear a passionate rendition of "Viva La Vida" being performed in Spanish.
www.viragomusic.com
Steph Hayes
Steph Hayes is a singer and songwriter who spent several years in pop/rock group Stargazer Lily. She signed with Arista Records in 2000 and went through the whirlwind of the pop music industry. Following the 2006 release of the album "Dirty Beauty" she now performs solo or with her band The Good Problems. Hayes’ current writing is a return to her more lyrical roots. At times solemnly insightful and at times mischeivious, she now tours to support an exhilarating notebook addiction. "The goal of my career, and of my life is to be a better songwriter. Touring has taught me how to accomplish that goal. To keep moving, to come and go, to watch people, to visit places and submerge myself in them. And most importantly, to write it all down." She has just completed the recording of a live solo record entitled "Mostly True Stories" due out on Permanent records in June. She can be found online at:
www.myspace.com/thegoodproblems
Innocence Bello
Innocence Bello is a performance artist hailing from Newark, Delaware. She was born Nov. 2nd, 1977 and will not let you forget it, even if you try. She's currently a graduate student at the University of Delaware. When she's not gracing the world's stages, speaking her mind or lighting fires in people's hearts, you can find her digging in garbage cans for treasure or eating food off other people's plates. Since 2000, she's been sharing her brand of art with the world through shows, festivals and around the occasional campfire. If you see her, give her a hug. She's cool like that.
www.innocencebello.com