Habib Koite in Providence

So then after Neba left, we welcomed another Malian great to New England. Habib Koite showed up for a week of appearances at high schools in Providence and finished up the week with a benefit show for GAIA (an organization working on an AIDS vaccine).
Again, I was lucky enough to show the guys around and help out a bit. But I got to ENJOY this show! without working! awesome. but madou (the tama player) made me work a little bit, he brought me up on stage and made me dance. fun fun stuff.
always fun to see people you meet on your travels back in your area. you get to return the favors they gave to you on their turf. 

neba solo in boston

I can't believe that I haven't blogged in so long. (Similar opening sentences are often written in my diary.) Anyway, after returning from Jozi, my life has been super hectic. Good and bad as well. It all started well on the return, with an immediate jump into helping out Neba Solo, who was brought to Harvard U to do an artist residency and perform a free (!) show.
I had a great time hanging out with the guys, showing them around town, and then got roped into being their stage manager. I can't seem to get thru a show without doing some work. Anyway, this is a pic from backstage thru the beautiful wood moldings. It was a fun show, and a fun week. You can see a video from the show on Calabash.