What's Been Happenin'?

We’re quickly approaching week four of the Levitt Amp Berea Concert Series. Those of us behind the scenes are so delighted with the way the events have been going. We have such joy and gratitude every time we see the crowds coming together to dance, play, eat and enjoy! Each time, we are looking for ways to make it as enjoyable as possible for all of you (we’re having fun, too!). Let us know any ideas you'd like to see happen at the Concert Series - we are so open to and excited about constructive feedback!

Who was out there dancing last week with Cheick Hamala Diabate? Photo Cred Erica Chambers

Or how about the foot-stompin' good times The Local Honeys brought with their traditional and original folk tunes? Photo Cred Erica Chambers

Cheick Hamila Diabate on ngoni and vocals. Photo Cred Erica Chambers

We believe music is one of the best ways to draw diverse people together - something reflected in our line-up last Friday night. With Madison Lewis opening the night on the guitar, sharing her sweet song, The Local Honeys tearin' into some traditional and original banjo and fiddle tunes, and Cheick Hamila Diabate taking us to West Africa and on a world tour, we experienced a diverse range of musical talent. 

Did you recognize the instrument Cheick Hamila Diabate was playing? If not by sight, then by sound? That's called a ngoni, a traditional West African instrument and ancestor of the banjo. Diabate elaborates in a recent interview, "“Ngoni is the father of the banjo,” Diabate explains. “People speak about the banjo, how it came from the ngoni, but I hear the connection all the time. Every song I play on ngoni, I put onto the banjo and it works perfectly." (source: http://cheickhamala.com/blog/). Diabate weaves countless cultural influences together to produce this innovative sound, including traditional music from Mali, the U.S., and more modern beats from around the world. 

We loved experiencing the thru-line of the banjo from The Local Honeys to Cheick Hamila Diabate, and the influence of traditional music present in all three of our acts that night. What a reminder of what we all have in common, no matter what diverse origins we come from. Be it musical tradition or any other aspect of culture and humanness, there is always a thru-line to tie us all together. That was clear Friday night, seeing everyone hootin' and hollerin' on the dance lawn! 

Part of the vision behind these events that bring people together for fun is to enhance these bonds of community resilience. We may all come from diverse backgrounds, but what's our common thread? Live music, this place we all love, the values and experiences we all share? What's yours? 

Find us at the info booth this Friday to begin to explore these questions, and our Facebook to stay up to date on the line up for the rest of the summer! Don't forget to comment or reach out and let us know what you're thinking about!
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