Shea Presents Toubab Krewe

#GETTOTHESHEA on Friday, November 17th 2023 for a night of multi-genre world instrumentals courtesy of Toubab Krewe at the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls 

The Shea Presents:

Toubab Krewe

with Woody and the Rebel Alliance

WHEN: Friday, November 17th 2023 at 8pm

WHERE: Shea Theater Arts Center, 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA

TICKETS: $22 in advance/ $28 at the door

Accessibility Notice: Our theater and first-floor gender-neutral restroom are wheelchair accessible. There will be alcohol on-site for this event.

ABOUT TOUBAB KREWE

Some music cannot be found on a map or within iTunes categories.  Some music is so original it seems snatched from the great, invisible substrata that runs below all human activity, a sound aching to be born without a flag or fixed allegiance – free, questing, overflowing with immediate, tangible life.  This is the music of Toubab Krewe, the vibrant Asheville, NC-based instrumental powerhouse that creates a sonic Pangaea that lustily swirls together rock, African traditions, jam sensibilities, international folk strains and more.  While nearly impossible to put into any box, it takes only a few moments to realize in a very palpable way that one is face-to-face with a true original who recognizes no borders in a march towards a muscular, original, globally switched-on sound.

Formed in 2005, Toubab Krewe has tenaciously honed their craft through relentless touring and a fierce dedication to carving out something they can truly call their own.  The fruits of this hard work can be heard on their latest release, STYLO, (March 2nd, 2018).  What Justin Perkins (Kora, Kamelngoni, guitar, percussion), Terrence Houston (drumset), Drew Heller (guitar, organ), Justin Kimmel (bass, keys), and Luke Quaranta (Djembe, Congas, Dundun, Sangban, Kinkini) have wrought on STYLO reflects the many miles and musical journeys that have transpired since their last studio album, TK2.

 This is a band that actively draws inspiration from whatever source floats into their purview, something they've exhibited in their decade and a half of heavy gigging, including regular appearances at major U.S. festivals like Bonnaroo, High Sierra, Rothbury and Wakarusa, and abroad at such legendary gatherings as the Festival In The Desert in Essakane, Mali. Whether on their own or collaborating with luminaries like the Last Poets' Umar Bin Hassan or Uncle Earl's Rayna Gellert, Toubab Krewe has already earned the attention and respect of a broad musical community.

Toubab carries echoes of African greats like Ali Farka Toure, Orchestra Baobab and Salif Keita, no doubt picked up during the group's travels to study and live in Guinea, Ivory Coast and Mali.  But what truly differentiates Toubab Krewe from other Statesiders inspired by African music is how they innovate on what they've learned instead of simply recreating tradition. Toubab Krewe carves out a new trail honoring the African originators they admire by making something alive and contemporary.

ABOUT WOODY & THE REBEL ALLIANCE

“Blasting out of the woodsy confines of the Berkshires like a love slug from the gun of life is Rebel Alliance, a musical revelation that isn’t afraid to cull the tedious excuses of modern day music and spark a cultural transformation. With deep influences in reggae and improvisational jam rock, it is safe to say that The Reb help carry the revolution to the stage and, ultimately, to the fans. During their live performance you can feel an increasing essence of family which compels you to reach a hand out to a troubled stranger. But their music goes beyond lyrics and notes, beyond the love of kin and kith, beyond the cozy limits of a fixed description. It is a universal blueprint for society as a whole. As a band sheathed in unending positivity, they’re armed with an ardor that is able to form a permanent wrinkle in the status quo. Consider them the ambassadors of Ragetown, set to slay the dark lords of demoralization and malevolence with their tight grooves and valuable rhetoric.” - Marc Lovely

ABOUT THE SHEA THEATER

The Shea provides performance space for a variety of attractions designed to appeal to the widest range of tastes. Musical offerings include folk, pop, rock, swing, jazz, country and traditional. Theatrical productions encompass musical comedy, drama, comedy, and political satire. In addition, audiences can take advantage of magic shows, children's shows and silent film revivals.

The Shea, with the help of a wonderful corps of volunteers, has been attracting a growing audience and as a result is bringing people into Turners Falls from an ever larger geographical area. This growth has put the Shea on a firmer financial footing, providing the basis for expectations of an even more exciting future for this vital community asset. 

https://sheatheater.org/

TICKETS

All ages

$22 adv/$28 day of show

#gettotheshea