KCRW & Grand Performances are teaming up for an extraordinary night in honor of the 20th Anniversary of Afro Funke’! Come celebrate the legacy of the once weekly party night that turned global, with live performances from Rocky Dawuni and Buyepongo, plus DJ sets from Afro Funke’ residents Glenn Red and KCRW's Jeremy Sole. Join us for Afrobeat, Latin, Brazilian, Indian, Jamaican and other traditional and remixed world rhythms, plus African drumming and dancing, DJ Culture, arts & crafts and much more!
Doors open at 5pm. Set times:
6pm - Glenn Red
7pm - Buyepongo
8pm - Rocky Dawuni
9pm - Jeremy Sole
For Location, Parking & FAQ, click here.
About KCRW Summer Nights:
KCRW Summer Nights is BACK! We’ve teamed up with some of the best cultural hotspots around Southern California to throw the perfect summertime parties. These nights are FREE, all-ages, outdoors, and will feature your favorite KCRW DJs, bands, exhibits and more. So mark your calendar, dust off your dancing shoes, and spend the season with us!
https://www.kcrw.com/summer-nights
About Rocky Dawuni:
Afro Funke’ founder, Rocky Dawuni with his full 10 piece “Afro Roots Band” will headline the night. The three-time GRAMMY nominated musician and activist, straddles the boundaries between Africa, the Caribbean and the U.S. to create his appealing Afro Roots sound that unites generations and cultures.
About Buyepongo:
Hometown favorites, Buyepongo make contemporary pan-Latin music in the style they intriguingly call “buyangú” — an eclectic but cohesive mezcla of global beats and spicy flavors influenced by their California home base as well as the band members’ travels to Central and South America.
About Jeremy Sole:
Jeremy Sole’s upbringing was seeped in the rich Chicago history of Blues, Jazz, Disco, Salsa and Soul - and he reveled in that space where they all blend together. As a teenager, Sole threw loft parties that were a culture clash during the birth of Hip Hop and House music. His obsession grew to include music from every corner of the world and, in 2001, Sole moved to LA. With a broad musical palette, he felt right at home in the spiciest melting pot in the country.
In April 2006, Sole was in the studio working with Ms. Lauryn Hill. After hearing him mix, she asked if he had ever considered getting into radio, "...because this is the music the people need to hear”. Months later, KCRW called to ask him that same question, and since then you can hear him Wednesdays from 12-3am on 89.9FM and KCRW.com.
About Glenn Red:
Known primarily for his work as half of Santa Monica's legendary Afro Funké Sound System and one-third of beloved Afro-Latin deejay/producer collective, La Junta, GLENN RED quietly continues to forge a loyal following among fans of eclectic music, steadily rocking crowds in the city's most respected venues alongside the finest selectors and musicians from around the world. With the honest music of passionate artists as a common thread, his deejay sets weave fluidly through time and across genres, connecting the traditional sounds of Africa and the Americas with their modern expressions around the globe. Afrobeat, Cumbia, Rumba, and Samba rhythms embrace Funk, Soul, Hip-Hop, and Reggae, as Glenn's rhythmic and multifaceted sound echoes the deep, colorful, and spirited energy of LA and its soulful people.
We will have a very special immersive photography pop up by Mud Baron, with his “Flowers on your head” project. As an artist, farmer and teacher, Mud’s floral portraits serve as a testament to the profound connection between individuals and nature.
You can explore Mud’s captivating portfolio on Instagram @MudBaron, where he showcases his latest works in both stills and videos. Additionally, immerse yourself in nearly a decade’s worth of his creations by browsing through the hashtag he initiated #flowersonyourhead.
This performance is made possible in part by a grant from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture and in part by Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council.
