upcoming

Roots of Culture Festival

What:

Roots of Culture Festival with Niyorah, Tuff Lion and Seed ‘N Soil Friday, August 20, at Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St in Arcata. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $25, $20 advanced tickets at The Works in Arcata & Eureka and is 21 and over.

http://www.niyorah.com/
NiyoRah began his singing career chanting on the streets about the life experiences of the Savan ghetto in downtown Charlotte Amalie at age 16 and by 18 had decided to pursue a career in reggae music. “Reggae had one of the greatest influences on my life. It’s the type of music I cling to for some mystical reason,” he says. “The most high guided me more than me myself.” He took on the name NiyoRah - a combination of his nickname growing up and out of respect for the omnipotent power of the sun. Music was a natural career choice because of his musically gifted family. His grandfather is an award-winning vocalist who sings black spirituals and gospel, while his aunt, Ophelia Olivacce Marie, is an international French-speaking artist heralded as “Dominica’s Songbird” for her style of cadence and calypso. NiyoRah’s songs delve into a wide range of issues, including cultural living, love for nature, strengthening of all peoples, especially Africans, and spiritual growth. In concert, NiyoRah has performed in front of thousands, sharing the same stage with world renowned artists such as Sizzla, Capleton, Junior Reid, Buju Banton, Bunny Wailer, Glen Washington, Midnite Band, Junior Kelly, Marcia Griffiths, Eve, Erika Badu, and festivals/events such as the World Social Forum, Reggae Rising, Baltimore African American Heritage Music festival and the Sierra Nevada World Music festival to name a few. With his experience and relentless approach to the stage, he is definitely a a spectacle to watch live with his band, the Jah Current band.

http://tufflion.com/
Tuff Lion’s musical voices have been heard the world over with appearances on many of the popular releases that have been played consistently within the reggae industries “top ten” internet broadcasts. As a major contributor to the roots renaissance movement coming from the U.S. Virgin Islands, he has recorded extensively with artists on both Mt. Nebo Records and the I-Grade Records labels. The works of this “passionate” musician are broad and include solid performances on a variety of instruments, as well as songwriting and production. Tuff Lion has toured Nationally and Internationally tours in Japan, Europe, North America, Israel, Canada, Mexico and the Hawaiian Isles. The time has come for this Lion to roar out chants and verses with his voice, fully in front and equally in command of this instrument. Within the reggae music underground scene, Tuff Lion is a highly respected veteran with a reputation for putting forth a full effort into all that he has been blessed to do. Those already familiar with his history of works will delight in having a comprehensive inlet to this now “legendary” artist.

http://www.myspace.com/seednsoil
Fronted by Nigerian Drum prodigy, Jude Osadalo, the ever-progressive Seed ‘N Soil weaves together a lustrous and seamless stage show, readily implementing a heavy roots reggae and dub sound mixed with the high energy world beat spirit of Nigeria Africa. Banded together with the fully integrated sounds of Alex Antonio (Keys), Gueren White (Guitars) and Serg Mihaylo (Bass) the group sports the heaviest hitting vibe charging out of Humboldt County, Northern California.

When/where: