By
Shelah Moody
Who:
Ministry of Tomorrow presents Anthony B., Fely Tchaco and Sila
When:
9 p.m., Friday, April 26th,
Where:
The Lodge at the Regency Ballroom, 1300 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
There
will be a whole lot of shakin’ going on Friday, April 26 at the
Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, when Ministry of Tomorrow presents
three outstanding artists from the African Diaspora: reggae/dancehall
super star Anthony B (Jamaica), award-winning “tribal pop” singer
/songwriter Fely Tchaco from the Cote D’Ivoire and Kenyan AfroFunk
star Sila, aka the James Brown of Africa.
Fely
and her eight member band, featuring guitarist Freddy Clarke of
Wobbly World, will open the show. Like Anthony B and Sila, Fely is
known for her mesmerizing dance moves, and her set will include a
workshop on the “booty dance” from her Gouro culture.
“The
audience can expect a show they are not accustom to. I feel so great
about this performance, and delighted that it is for a good cause. I
saw Anthony B when I performed at Reggae on the River in 2005, seeing
him again on this show and with Sila is special. I am grateful to be
part of this line up. Performing tomorrow night is a blessing.
I
recently had the pleasure of interviewing Ministry of Tomorrow’s
enlightened young founder and promoter, Julian Prolman.
SM:
What is the concept of Ministry of Tomorrow and the benefit?
Julian
Prolman: The Ministry of Tomorrow, a San Francisco based
entertainment production company, was established to present novel
artists, whistle blowers, and thought leaders with alternative
realities and solutions to foster a more just and civil society.
Underlying the event production business is a fashion forward apparel
brand; “Ministry of Tomorrow” that develops garments and
accessories in disenfranchised communities to create fair wage and
sustainable jobs that would likely not have happened otherwise. The
Ministry of Tomorrow’s flagship project is located in Nairobi,
Kenya just outside of Kibera, one of Africa’s largest slums. This
project is a facility that the Ministry of Tomorrow built and
sponsors ongoing. Tailors were recruited from within Kibera to
produce designer men’s and woman’s bags in an effort to create
sustainable livelihoods.
SM: How did you come about choosing the unique line up for the show, Fely, Sila and Anthony B?
SM: How did you come about choosing the unique line up for the show, Fely, Sila and Anthony B?
JP:
The decision to choose such a unique line up was inspired by the
overall message of the Ministry of Tomorrow, which is to promote
various social and environmental issues through music and fashion,
and the artist selected promote a similar message of positive
change.
SM: Where are you from originally, and what other events have you produced?
SM: Where are you from originally, and what other events have you produced?
JP:
My family is Moroccan, but I was born and raised in the San Francisco
Bay Area. I have produced several events as a youth with artists such
as, Andrea Nickitina, Equipto, Pep Love, Hieroglyphics etc. This will
be the first event produced not as an independent producer but as a
company which represents a conscious movement of bringing awareness
to issues around the world through music and fashion.
SM: What impresses you about each artist on the bill: Anthony B, Fely and Sila?
SM: What impresses you about each artist on the bill: Anthony B, Fely and Sila?
JP:
What impresses me about each artist is their unique sound and the
message of positivity they promote through their lyrics.
SM: Do you have any other events in the works for this summer?
SM: Do you have any other events in the works for this summer?
We
have loads of events coming this summer. Not just music events but
also speaker series. Our music events will be presenting major
artists who all promote a similar message of positive change.
SM:
What genres of music do you specialize in?
JP:
The music I personally make myself is slowed down hip-hop futuristic
R&B, but the artists that we promote are not specific to a genre
of music but rather a genre of intention. We will be promoting shows
to a range of audiences to promote the positive message of waking up
and being aware of issues on this planet. We will be linking with
major nonprofits and creating a platform for artists, activists and
whistle-blowers to come to light. Our project in Kibera, shows how
creating an income generating project can benefit a community and
empower people. Our products represent not only high quality of
fashion but also a way out of the slum for those who now have the
opportunity to work.
