Angelique!

Eve

Spirit Rising

One of my most-admired living persons was in town tonight in support of her new album, Eve, and book, Spirit Rising.

Angelique Kidjo gave a high-energy, crowd-pleasing performance at GWU's Lisner Hall. She sang with power, inspiration and emotion a range of songs -- including Pata Pata (in tribute to Miriam Makeba), -- and invited the audience to join her on stage at the end of the show. Between songs, she spoke passionately about the need to empower and educate women in Africa and around the globe. And nobody's got her dance moves! Here are a few clips from (sorry) the back of the theater.

Click here for a recent article about her in the NY Times.

Her NY-based drummer, Daniel Freedman, kept me enthralled and nearly stole the show. 

In keeping with tonight's theme -- here's Toni Childs's haunting Zimbabwe  ...and an alternate 12" version of Toto's masterpiece
along with and an interview with Toto's David Paitch on the making of his enduring #1 hymn to the continent.