Five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo is one of the greatest artists in international music today, a creative force with fifteen albums to her name. Kidjo’s creative power is palpable through the beauty and strength of her voice, her music and movement, visual aesthetic, linguistic prowess and enormous advocacy work that serves so many. Kidjo has cross-pollinated the West African traditions of her childhood in Benin with elements of American R&B, funk and jazz, as well as influences from Europe and Latin America. Yet her love for collaboration inspires musical fusions and partnering with gifted musicians from across the globe. Angelique also advocates on behalf of children as a UNICEF and OXFAM Ambassador. She created her own charitable foundation, Batonga, dedicated to support the education of young girls in Africa.
Balla Kouyaté is a Master Balafon player, hereditary musician and Griot (‘Djeli’) from Mali, and an international Malian cultural ambassador. He is the recipient of multiple accolades including the NEA’s National Heritage Fellow in 2019. Balla will be joined by his band, World Vision, for a virtuosic concert of Malian traditional music and contemporary music fusions.
Masks are required for attendees at Arts at Wheaton events regardless of vaccination status.
Wheaton’s World Music Ensemble, directed by Sheila Falls Keohane, assistant professor of music, performs a variety of world music drawing on traditions from India, Ireland, France, Brazil and more.
Music and melodrama in Meneely!
In 2007, Marion Cotillard won the first Oscar for Best Actress ever awarded for a performance in French.
Come chew on some French snacks as you watch her chew up the scenery in ‘La Môme’ (in the USA, ‘La Vie en Rose’).