WORTHINGTON-Get ready to step in and step in to cool the songs that are in some ethnic traditions.
“Music is a universal language that transcends culture,” said Felicia Kelly, ordering agent for three Twin Cities -based bands that are scheduled to perform at the 2022 Worthington International Festival.
“This group provides cultural opportunities in a relaxed setting.”
Experienced and spirited musicians, skilled at facilitating readers, are the hallmarks of Pan Dimensions (a Caribbean steel drum duo), Innocent Reggae and Genet Abate (an Ethiopian ensemble led by women).
Prepare to show up, kick back Bliss out as this embarrassment riches music on tap to entertain all comers at a free performance at the Nobles County Government Center this weekend.
Plain Reggae: Friday, 6-7 p.m. and 8: 05-9 p.m.
With names such as Innocent Mfalingundi, it’s easy to understand why his band uses the simple moniker Innocent Reggae. , says that Innocent speaks Swahili as well as English.
“He is a major artist with Top 10 hits in Tanzania, and he incorporates east African guitar into his reggae.”
This isn’t Innocent Reggae’s first Worthington gig; The band has performed at previous Worthington International Festivals to great effect.
“We like to issue Innocent Reggae to communities such as Worthington that have a large number of minority residents,” Kelly said.
“There’s such a minority underrepresentation in art and music, and people like it when we share rhythm and language.”
In addition to their Worthington appearances, Innocent Reggae (which has been a popular group on the Minnesota State Fair stage in the past year) shares cool songs and relaxing music this summer at venues such as the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Rochester, Roseville, Fridley and Prescott. , Wisconsin, to name a few sites.
“Innocent roots reggae and with a positive life message, and there is a general tone of hope and tenor to his performances despite some songs about struggle and liberation,” Kelly said.
“If the kids are there, he’ll invite them to sing with him; he brings good energy with a lot of hope and strength that helps into a good [reggae] vibe.”
Pan Dimension: Saturday, 12: 30-1: 25 p.m.
They make it all easy, but don’t underestimate Caribbean drum specialists such as Lance Pollonais and Charles “Chilly” Peter of Pan Dimension. You cannot do this on earth.
“Steelpan is considered the most recently invented modern instrument,” said Kelly, who had worked as a high school social educator and geography teacher when he was not promoting musical ensembles.
“It’s only since the 1990s that Northern Illinois University started a program that offers undergraduate and master’s degrees in steelpan music.”
When pan music traces its origins after World War II to Trinidad (home country of Pollonais), where children began playing with abandoned oil drums, it has become a special pursuit with standard tuning.
“People like to see the pot to see how it sounds,” Kelly said. “It’s very complicated because every corner is a different note.”
Pan Dimensions has been a popular group at Minnesota State Fair’s International Bazaar, for example, but with the duo churning out everything from “Hot, Hot, Hot” to jazz standards to “Love Boat” —sounds worthy of their tenor and double bass. drums, they have attracted a wide audience and often play for private parties, corporate events and garden music series. Kelly said, “It’s lilting, fun music that everyone likes.”
Genet Abate Saturday, 18: 20-19: 15.
The Ethiopian ensemble was led by the eponymous Genet Abate.
Photo submitted by Andrea Canter
Some of his YouTube videos, Kelly reports, have more than a million views and counts.
“Genet speaks Amharic, and he has band members who speak Tigrian and Oromo,” Kelly said.
“So there are three different cultures and representations on stage, each unique and different.”
In addition, two dancers will perform traditional Ethiopian Eskista (involving neck, shoulder and chest movements) and Gurage dance.
“That would be good,” said Kelly, who revealed that Genet Abate will soon set out to perform a reggae festival in San Antonio, Texas.
“Genes appear in Ethiopian communities across the country,” Kelly added. “He studied at the Yared School of Music in Addis Ababa.”
Given Worthington’s large East African community, Genet Abate should be a huge draw — but attendees of all backgrounds are invited to watch, learn and enjoy.
“It’s a family fun,” Kelly said, “and people like it.”
