25th Anniversary Kick Off Celebration

Featured Performers

MISSED THE MAY DAY PARADE?

The puppets from In the Heart of the Beast are helping to kick-off our 25th Anniversary Celebration!

Come see the puppets in action again as you celebrate with us!

Quilombolas is a multicultural Minneapolis based world-fusion band combining diverse musical influences from around the globe with strong African roots such as hip-hop, reggae, samba, salsa, rock, funk, and other styles, to produce a unique multiethnic groove. The members draw inspiration from Zumbi and the Quilombos of old as a sign of unity in the face of the many forms of oppression that still exist today. Politically charged lyrics add to the fire of their musical activism, while a constant vibe of unity and celebration abounds. In addition, lyrics can be heard in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Hebrew, and some African tongues like Yoruba. The band combines all of these elements with the belief that all people are multiethnic and mutlicultural mixes and should celebrate the diversity that unites and strengthens the quilombo. Welcome to the quilombo. If you join, you too may call yourself a quilombola.

Ibe Kabe
A Maninka born in Kankan, the capital city of the ancient Mandin Empire but now part of Guinea, IBé grew up between Koindu, Sierra Leone; Evanston, IL; and St. Cloud, MN. Although he has his mailing address in Minneapolis, MN, IBé lives in what he calls “The Middle of the Atlantic”, and from there he uses poetry to tell the story of Africans in America.

Since he first got on stage in 2003 IBé has been edutaining audiences at many venues around the Twin Cities including Jazzmine’s, Intermedia Arts, Barnes and Noble Bookstores, and the Communiversity monthly lecture series; Hamline University, William Mitchell School of Law, St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN; Southwest State University in Marshall, MN; Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN; and the Nuyorican Poet’s Café in New York.  In addition, he has served as poet-in-residence at numerous elementary, middle and high schools.

IBé is a writer, but in the tradition of ancient Mandin griots, uses spoken word to get his message across. He is the author of “Bridge Across Atlantic”, a collection of poems about live between Africa and America.

Where & When

Nicollet Island Pavilion
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 5:30PM-9:00PM
Map to Nicollet Island Pavilion and Parking

Honorary Event Co-Chairs

George Pillsbury
Alida Messinger
Lucy Rogers
Dona Eull-Schultz
Steve Newcom

Host Committee

Meg Anderson and David Washburn
Patricia Benn & Ned Crosby
Claire Chang
John Farrish
Jihan Golden
Shalini Gupta
Daniel Hawkins
John Kostishack
Brandon Lacy Campos
Amy Lange
John Larsen
David Mann
Carol McGee Johnson
Ron McKinley
Alida Messinger
Lucy Mitchell
Donn Poll
Sharon Ramirez
Lucy Rogers
Elaine Salinas
Duke Schempp
LaShella Sims
Penelope Snipper
Ann Tobin
Laura Waterman Wittstock
Catharine Reid & Barbra Wiener
Perry Wilson

For more information, contact: Sara (612) 879-0602 x 15