Thursday, April 25, 2013

Julian Prolman and Ministry of Tomorrow Present Benefit and World Music Explosion in San Francisco, April 26



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

Info: www.ministryoftomorrow.com, www.theregencyballroom.com

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?

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?

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?

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?

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.






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