Festival Highlights « Takin' It to the Streets 2010

Be a Fan on Facebook

The Inner-city Muslim Action Network Presents...

Festival Highlights

	Orchestra Chabab Al Andalous 10:30 AM \| World Music Stage The Orchestra Chabab Al Andalous from Rabat, Morocco carries on the tradition of Andalusian music from the period of Muslim Spain known as Al-Andalus. Flamenco music also has its roots in this period of Arab influence in Spain. The influence of this period and the remnants of Muslims and Islam are still prevalent in certain parts of Spain today. The orchestra uses mostly string instruments such as the oud, violin, and rebab. Chabab Al Andalous will start the day with the inaugural performance at Takin’ It to the Streets. In an effort to highlight the legacy of Anadalusian music and its connection to the roots of European folk music, Chabab Al Andalous is being presented in partnership with the Old Town School of Folk Music and Chicago’s Arabesque.
	Global Graffiti Murals All Day \| Hip Hop Pavilion Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of Takin’ It to the Streets is IMAN’s production of two international graffiti art collaborations: Mohammed Ali of Aerosol Arabic, a Muslim from Birmingham, UK and Revise, a Korean American from Chicago, will collaborate on a mural on an 8 x 8 cube and eL Seed, a French citizen from Montreal, and Rahman Statik, a well known Chicago muralist, will collaborate on another. Led by the vision and work of Mohammed Ali and Aerosol Arabic, the artists will use the cubes to inspire others and answer the question, “Can Graffiti Art change the world?” Artist Mohammed Ali will also present and host a discussion on the same topic during the week.
	Navasha Daya 2:00 PM \| Unity Stage Navasha Daya (formerly of Fertile Ground) layers jazz, Afro-Caribbean beats, Latin rhythms and aboriginal music with spiritually charged vocals. Her stir- ring performance is reflective of her holistic approach to life and has gained her international recognition as a breathtaking artist. With her band, Fertile Ground, Navasha took her message of peace, freedom and love and pro- duced six albums, which sold well over a quarter million copies worldwide. Navasha is also a member of Three Generations with Maimouna Youssef and Mama Nataska Youssef, and has performed with the group twice at IMAN’s Community Café. We welcome her back to Chicago as she embarks on her latest musical journey.
	Omar Faruk Tekbilek 2:30 PM \| World Music Stage Honored as a peacemaker and a virtuoso, Omar Faruk Tekbilek is now one of the most sought-after musicians, whose work transcends political boundaries while maintaining traditional sensibilities in a way few artists can manage. Omar Faruk was born in Turkey to a musical family and has studied music since an early age. Omar and his music are heavily influenced by Sufi phi- losophy. His message of diversity through unity is heard in his compositions and arrangements. Having moved to the USA in the mid-70s, Omar is often referred to as one of the leading Muslim American artists. IMAN is proud to present Omar at Takin’ It to the Streets as well as at Dandana: A Celebration of Muslim Voices at Millennium Park.
	Kindred the Family Soul 2:30 PM \| Streets Stage Kindred the Family Soul is a husband and wife vocal duo from Philadelphia. With a lyrical focus on love, family, trust and spirituality, Kindred blends melodic sounds of R&B with distinct soulful vocals to reflect a more vibrant and honest approach to their music. Discovered by Jill Scott, Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon have since produced 3 albums and received nominations from Soul Train Music and BET Awards. Streets 2010 marks Kindred’s first performance at an IMAN event and we embrace them with open arms as a couple that reflects our emphasis on family and taste in good music.
	Amjad Sabri 3:30 PM \| World Music Stage Amjad Sabri is the son of the late, great Ghulam Farid Sabri of the legend- ary Sabri Brothers. Amjad Sabri, hailing from Pakistan, continues the legacy of Qawwali music that dates back over 700 years. Qawwali is a form of Sufi devotional music that combines poetry, music and improvisation to praise God, the Prophet and spiritual teachers. Although a variety of instruments can be used, the foundation of most Qawwali ensembles today is tabla, dhol, harmonium and hand claps, with the human voice as the centrepiece. This genre of music was made popular in the west by the Sabri Brothers and later by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, whose music continues to influence musicians across many genres. Amjad Sabri continues this tradition through his frequent visits to the US. IMAN hopes to expose new audiences to this traditional form of devotional music.
	Fnaïre 4:30 PM \| Hip Hop Pavilion Fnaïre is one of the premier hip hop groups from Morocco and the pioneers of Taklidi Rap – a fusion of Hip Hop and traditional Moroccan melodies and rhythms. The group has achieved much critical acclaim and popularity in Mo- rocco and continues to evolve their style with each release.Their latest release is a collaboration with popular Arab singer Samira Said. Fnaïre’s popularity is due in part to their socially conscious lyrics that address Moroccan struggles with an optimistic outlook. IMAN is presenting Fnaïre’s exclusive engagement in the USA at Takin’ It to the Streets.
	Global Rhythms 4:45 PM \| Unity Stage Global Rhythms is an IMAN production that brings together West African percussionists Seneke Ensemble, under the leadership of Sekou Conde, Japanese drummers Tsukasa Taiko, under the guidance of Tatsu Aoki, and Indian dhol. Embodying the theme of an Urban International Festival, this production blends together the rhythms of these seemingly very different styles that are all thriving in different parts of the city of Chicago. This perfor- mance is one that is not to be missed as it demonstrates the ability of Takin’ It to the Streets to bring the world to Chicago.
	Alpha Yaya Diallo 2:00 PM \| Unity Stage Guitarist and singer Alpha Yaya Diallo, from Guinea in West Africa, has an inter- national reputation for the excellence of his musicianship and the excitement of his live shows. Diallo’s dexterous acoustic and electric guitar playing, with its fluid melodic lines and compelling grooves, places him in the front ranks of African guitarists. In addition he is a skilled and experienced performer on a variety of percussion instruments and on the balafon (traditional wooden xy- lophone). By successfully uniting the traditional and the contemporary, Diallo has carved a niche for himself beside such West African luminaries as Salif Keita, Baaba Maal and Youssou N’Dour. With such a rich history of Muslim musicians from West Africa, we are blessed to have three-time Juno Award winner, Alpha Yaya Diallo, headline the World Music Stage.
	Brother Ali 5:30 PM \| Hip Hop Pavilion A staple at Takin’ It to the Streets since 2005, Brother Ali is one of IMAN’s favorite Hip Hop artists. Ali is a Hip Hop MC that continues to evolve as an art- ist, gaining exposure through media channels and deepening the content of his lyrics and the layers of his music. A monster on the microphone, Ali is one of the most humble and kind individuals we know. Each of Brother Ali’s perfor- mances at IMAN events has been unique and this year he promises to give us the best one yet, as he performs with the live band Animate Objects.
	Tinariwen 6:30 PM \| Streets Stage Tinariwen, roughly translated as “people of the desert,” is a band of Tuareg musicians from the Western Sahara Desert who are the pioneers of their style of guitar music. The group has been around since 1979, and has received international recognition over the last decade.Tinariwen’s story is com- pelling as the group is made up of former rebel fighters who now use music as their voice against oppression and in the struggles of the Tuareg people. Representing a nomadic people, the group is actually a collective that has held many forms and band members over the years. Founder Ibrahim Ag Abdullah will be included in Tinariwen’s line-up at Takin’ It to the Streets. In partnership with the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs, Tinariwen will also perform at Dandana: A Celebration of Muslim Voices at Millennium Park, a part of IMAN’s Streets 2010: Urban International Festival.
	Mos Def 7:45 PM \| Streets Stage Mos Def is an acclaimed Hip Hop artist and Emmy-nominated actor. After performing at IMAN’s sold-out “Community Café at the Apollo”, earlier this year in Harlem, New York, Mos Def headlines Takin’ It to the Streets at the signature Streets Stage. For IMAN, Mos Def is a great example of a Mus- lim artist that embraces his spirituality while maintaining mainstream appeal. From his clever word play and master lyricism to his experimental rock album and improvisational jazz performances, Mos Def continues to be an inspira- tional artist for many communities. As the other stages shut down, Mos Def’s performance will unite 20,000 people in historic Marquette Park on Chicago’s South Side for an unforgettable moment in time, using art and music as a universal language