After many years (more than five!) of playing our 1st Saturday of the month “First Beat” series in Chicago, we’re moving onward. No more 1am to 5am sets at Kinetic Playground. The first Saturday in February (the 2nd) will mark the end of an era. It all began at the Note in Wicker Park playing for the rowdy off-the-streets crowds that packed into the place at 2am as the earlier bars closed. We had many a fun night there. Kinetic was a nice change of venue–really cool atmosphere. The fact is, we’ve decided we’re only going to play more ‘accessible’ shows from now on (for the most part) covering the ‘normal’ evening entertainment hours. Who knows, we might even try out some new venues. Stay tuned for a whole array of unpredictable events with CAbP around Chicagoland!
Chicago Reader’s Crickets Blog: “Chicago Afrobeat Project for Kenya”
This article originally appeared on the Chicago Reader’s Crickets Blog.
If you’re on the fence about the Chicago Afrobeat Project’s concert at the House of Blues this Friday, consider this: it’s just been turned into a benefit for the Kenya Red Cross, which is currently busy aiding people and communities affected by the violence that broke out after the disputed December 30 election.
A duo of guitarist Fareed Haque and tabla player Kalyan Pathak opens; other participants in the jam include breakdancers Anacron and the Brickheadz crew, “live artist” Chadwick painting onstage, and MC Cap D from All Natural. Tickets are $12-$14 and the show’s at 9 PM; you have to be at least 18 to get in. As far as I can tell, nobody’s going to be raffling off breast implants.
Video Preview: House of Blues Show this Friday, 1/11(Benefit for Extra Golden & Kenyan Red Cross)
Hip hop meets afroeat this Friday night, January 11, at the House of Blues in Chicago when CAbP helps Kenyan/American band Extra Goldenwho has serveral members currently living in Kenya and unable to work due to the humanitarian crisis there. The Kenyan Red Cross is raising $15 million for for 500,000 Kenyans suffering from a recent post-election uprising in Kenya. CAbP is donating a portion of the House of Blues benefit to both Extra Golden and the Kenyan Red Cross.
At the performance, CAbP will feature emcees from the All Natural Crew along with break dancing from the Chicago Brickheadz, CAbP’s African dancers, and live art from Chicago artist Chadwick (Mos Def, Cook Kids, Lady Soverign). Master talking drummer T.J. Okulnola from Nigeria also joins the band. Fareed Haque kicks off the night at 9 p.m.
VIDEO PREVIEW OF THE SHOW:
Chicago Brickheadz
Emmonia
Eboney & Tosha
