Event Details

Date/Time: 

Jul 17 2010 8:00pm - 11:00pm

Price: 

General $25, VIP $100
Can't attend? Donations are welcome. Click here to donate to "I Save Babylon"

Where: 

Warfield Theatre
982 Market Street
San Francisco CA 94102
415.345.0900

"I Save Babylon" Benefit Concert: with Cheb i Sabbah, MC Rai, Sila, Hamsa Lila et alLevantine Cultural Center and Souk77 Productions host I Save Babylon, a benefit concert featuring the legendary Cheb i Sabbah, along with MC Rai, Sila and guests, performing North African, AfroFunk and world fusion at the historic Warfield Theatre in the heart of San Francisco on July 17, 2010.

Features house/electronica DJ's including Algeria's DJ Pheeko Dubfunk Trio.

I Save Babylon is the first of an ongoing annual concert event whose mission is to raise money to provide instruments to community outreach and youth centers for the children of Iraq. Some Iraqi children have never touched a musical instrument due to devastating effects of poverty and ongoing conflicts. This concert was created in the hope of bringing inspiration to the children of Iraq so they can envision a brighter future for themselves and their community through unity and music.

Can't attend the show in San Francisco? You can make a donation to "I Save Babylon" here. You'll receive a receipt for your taxes and an update on where the instruments are going!

When asked about the purpose of the concert, MC Rai stated that "...having an opportunity to express myself musically while growing up in Tunisia gave me the ability to adapt to different cultures and understand the real meaning of tolerance. This is why I wanted to create an evening of not only sharing the music of Cheb Khaled and North Africa, but also an opportunity to give back to young people that need the hope that musical expression creates."

Tickets for this special event are available now are through Eventbrite at http://i-save-babylon.eventbrite.com/ or by calling 1.800.350.8850. Sponsorship opportunities are available and interested community partners are encouraged to contact Shanda Manion at 818.568.3656 Jordan Elgrably at 310.657.5511.

Performers Bios

CHEB I SABBAH
The music of the world converges through the productions and remixes of Algeria-born, San Francisco-based DJ Cheb I Sabbah. The producer/promoter of the former world music series 1002 Nights, Sabbah has presented a diverse range of musicians including Pakistani Qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and London-based Bhangra group, Bally Sagoo. Since 1988, Sabbah has presented a similar series, Africa/India/Arabia, weekly at Nickie's, a popular San Francisco nightclub. Sabbah began his professional career in the mid-‘60s, when he DJed at a Parisian club where he played American soul records. In the late ‘60s, he became involved with an experimental performance group, the Living Theater. After moving to San Francisco in 1986, he joined a similar group, the Tribal Warning Theater, building a solid reputation for his artistically spliced soundtracks for the group's shows. Sabbah's debut album, The Majoon Traveler, released in 1994, combined cut-up remixes of pieces by Don Cherry, Ornette Coleman, and Angus Maclise with the poetry of Ira Cohen. Since then Sabbah has released six recordings with Six Degrees Records, among them La Kahena, La Ghriba and Devotion. Chebisabbah.com.

MC RAI
Fashioned his new stage identity from the initials for Mohamed Chaoua, was born in the southern Tunisian city of Gabes. As a youth, he was immersed in the folk music traditions of Chaabi, or Mizoued as it is known in Tunisia. He began performing at an early age, and when only eight years old, he began singing live on the local radio station. In 1995, he began to turn his attention from Chaabi to Raïmusic, and realized that he could develop a style of Raï distinct from that of Algeria and infuse it with the traits of his native Tunisian music. Over the course of his career, MC Rai has garnered considerable attention in Tunisia as a result of successful, regular performances on radio and television. He has opened for-and been compared favorably with-Cheb Khaled. He moved to San Francisco not long after 9/11 and made the move to Los Angeles in 2005, where he has since carved out a faithful following in the world music and Arab-music loving audiences. MC Rai released Raivolution about which tribe.net wrote, "A hard hitting collection of tracks that brings the underground alternative music world to the doorstep of the Sahara." MC has just been recording his next album in Paris. His music is a fusion of traditional rai with rock and electronica. Visit http://www.myspace.com/mcrai.

SILA
Kenyan-born AfroFunk star Sila Mutungi discovered Western music through his deeply-religious grandmother's radio, honing his musical craft by singing original songs in church. In 1986, he moved to Washington, DC, ostensibly to attend college (a move partially financed by tribespeople who sold cows to raise tuition money), but instead used the funds to pay for a demo tape. Yet the music industry at that time wasn't interested in an R&B singer with a heavy Kenyan accent. Ten years later, having relocated to San Francisco, Sila experienced an epiphany during a Baaba Maal concert at the Fillmore Auditorium. Instead of trying to subvert his African-ness to fit into an American paradigm, he decided to embrace it.

He new music combined Western influences (Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, Sly Stone, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley) with African inspirations (Maal, Fela Kuti, Thomas Mapfumo). Calling his new sound "AfroFunk," he formed Sila and the AfroFunk Experience in 2003. The band immediately carved out a niche in the Bay Area's world music scene, spearheading a polyrhythmic renaissance and establishing a reputation for dynamic live performances. In 2004, Sila co-founded the AfroFunk Festival, a showcase for Afro-inspired bands (whose proceeds benefited humanitarian causes), which evolved into an annual event and tour.

More sweaty, ecstatic shows followed, and in 2006, Sila and the A.F.E. released their first album, The Funkiest Man in Africa (whose title paid homage to Fela Kuti) in 2006. Afropop.org called the album "a terrific work of contemporary funk" and noted, "Sila's message... is as strong as the musicianship." Sila is now working on a solo album which explores even more of his diverse musical tastes, from Ethiopiques-esque jazz-funk to Afro-rock, Afro-reggae and Afro-Brazilian rhythms. Working the new songs into shape during an open rehearsal residency at SF club Coda, he also found time to headline the "SF Hearts Haiti" benefit at the Independent, which raised over $10,000 for earthquake relief. The as-yet-untitled album is scheduled for summer 2010 release.

MJ GREENMOUNTAIN/"Hamsa Lila"
MJ Greenmountain embodies the essence of modern world music, singing in multiple languages, organically fusing ancient and modern melodic and rhythmic roots elements with real instruments and vocal layering, all while syncronizing dub-style effects in a fresh, Medicinal Global sound. His original songs and adaptations include flavors primarily from Africa, Brasil, India, the Middle East and the Caribbean. MJ's undeniably powerful, yet humble stage presence has been recognized worldwide as a potent lead singer, percussionist, and central founding member of the popular world fusion band Hamsa Lila, whose album "Gathering One" hit the tops of the CMJ (US) and Chart Attack (Canada) World Music charts in 2004, earning the band international acclaim for its ground-breaking sounds and hypnotic, memorable performances. Hamsa Lila is recognized as a pioneer in the field of world fusion, and MJ's role in the creation of the band's sound was not only crucial, but trend-setting.

Establishing himself now with MJ, the brand new self-produced debut 2008 solo release, one can hear threads of traditional Yoruban, Gnawan, Native American and Rastafarian musics weaving through captivating, conscious vocals and polyrhythmic arrangements, revealing his years of World Music studies and colorfully reflecting his multi-continental travels and tribal connections. Ever pointing his compass towards the Divine, he is both an inspired solo performer and a powerful band leader - where his 'Fela-esque' qualities can be witnessed. Whether it's a yoga studio, dance club, or festival, MJ's music vibrates hearts and bodies in a Ceremony of Life. His new release has already begun to catch the attention of renowned DJs like Cheb-i-sabah, who's been spinning an original track - Salaam Shalom - from the album, with many mistaking it as Cheb-i's own remix - a telltale sign of MJ's honed producing skills as well as his musical talents.

Artistically, MJ makes use of an array of instrument choices and sounds. Rhythm guitar, kalimbas, various drums, flutes, percussion, keyboard, exotic textures, looping pedal, dub-delays, and laptop spin together amid trance-inducing vocal lines, seamlessly forming a new kind of World Fusion: one in which the sacred, the tribal, the melodic, and the modern alchemize into a potent Shamanic blend. Receiving direct transmissions from Elders and Masters, assisting in healing cerermonies, and learning sacred chants and ancient tribal traditions has made MJ's music authentically grounded, simple yet expansive, giving the songs depth and impact. Crowds celebrate and participate as he guides them on a mystical journey around the World and ultimately deep inside themselves - the essential part of Healing Music - thus bringing both listener and musician to a higher place.

MJ has been honored to record and/or perform with notable artists such as Ozomatli, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Jai Uttal, Babatunde Olatunji, Azam Ali, Hassan Hakmoun, DJ Cheb-I-Sabah, Haale, Ras Michael, String Cheese Incident, STS9, Yossi Fine, Toots Jr., Krishna Das, Steve Kimmock, Rena Jones, Ganga Giri, Shimshai, Sambada, Joann Shenendoah, MC Yogi, Prince Diabate, Albino, Tina Malia, and many many others.

KRISTNA NEKIYA
Erupting from the molten core of California's arts inferno, Kristina Nekyia burns bright across the star-studded skies of stage and screen. Showgrrrl, belly dancer, circus contortion dancer, burlesque queen, pin up nymph, actress, fire eater, director, and writer, she is a Renaissance Femme in the technicolor world of show.
Kristina was the 2010 First Runner-Up for the title of Queen of Burlesque at the Burlesque Hall of Fame competition in Las Vegas, and in 2005 she was the Hips of Fury Belly Dance Ultimate Soloist. Her dedication to the art of Mongolian contortion led her to study with the Mongolian Circus in Ulaanbaatar, and develop the first ever belly dance contortion fire duet with world-famous contortionist Serchmaa Byamba. Her eclectic career has enabled her to work, on stage and on screen, with major talents including George Clinton, Margaret Cho, David Arquette, Rachid Taha, Peaches, and DJ Shadow.

The Nekyia Dance, Kristina's company of beautiful and talented female dancers and circus performers, displays her sexy, daring, and highly original choreography where saucy hips meet high kicks.

DJ PHEEKO (House/Electronica)
Pheeko Dubfunk has been residing in San Francisco since 2002, he has been dishing out the best funky electro and tribal house tracks from Miami to SF as well as taking his music with him internationally. This gave the talented young DJ an opportunity to become well versed at playing music. It was the works of Aretha Franklin, Delegation, and Alexander O'Neal that filled the ears a budding DJ with funk, reggae and R&B. At his first US home in West Palm Beach and Miami, Pheeko was further exposed to house music and became a resident DJ at Club Bliss. He also graced the decks at Florida's hottest destination in South Beach Miami. After moving to San Francisco, Pheeko further had the chance to showcase his trademark silky smooth, dub filled funky house. He quickly acquired coveted residencies at clubs like Ruby Skye, Vessel, Fluid, 1015, Dna Lounge and Harlot as well as respected promoters such as Release (Martel & Nabiel), Mixed Elements, Spundae and Remedy. Pheeko has shared the stage with such global luminaries as Paul Van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold, David Guetta, Dubfire, Roger Sanchez, Axwell, Satoshi Tomie, Nic Fanculi, Mark Farina, Bob Sinclar, Miguel Migs, Dimitri From Paris, Kaskade, Mr V, Plastik Funk, Tedd Patterson and more... The increasing recognition and acclaim of Pheeko's talent by the industry and house lovers alike, lead to the success of his track "Closer to Me" with Hideo Kobayashi and "Sahara", which had the honor of gracing the late night mixed cd of the well-renowned group Groove Junkies. "Closer to Me" made it to the top 10 download on beatport in 2006 and was chosen as one of the top secret weapons at the Winter Music Conference in Miami by Swank Recordings. After his return from his third year at the Winter Music Conference in 2009, Pheeko launched his label Swank Records with great esteem and acceptance from the SF house community. Pheeko released his first Winter EP through this label, and the full album is coming out through Swank Records with great anticipation. Pheeko is currently in search of talented local artists from SF to join the label as well as international producers. Pheeko looks ahead to great partnerships and talents in determination to create the freshest house tracks not just for the people in the industry, but to those who fuel it.