ABOUT THE PROGRAM
In September, local Somali group Thunder Band was invited to record a performance for this year’s virtual American Musicological Conference, and The Cedar was happy to be invited to present this performance. Picking the last day before the cold snap, we dodged storms and rain to record a few songs by Thunder Band out on The Cedar’s Plaza, along with an interview by multimedia artist, educator, and member of The Cedar Artist Collective, Ifrah Mansour. On Give to the Max Day 2020, we want to share it with you! Over the years, Thunder Band has become one of the nearest and dearest local Somali musical groups to The Cedar, and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate this annual day of giving than with them and YOU, in this special episode of The Cedar Public Access Channel.
Thunder Band performs both original and traditional qaraami songs - popular ballad-like tunes that tell stories often centered on love. During this performance, you’ll hear the characteristic sound of the stringed oud, performed by master oud player, Najax, combined with vocals by Geedi and Anab, and percussion by Harbi. The songs they perform speak of love and loss. You’ll see Geedi and Najax taking on roles of the characters, unfolding these stories through their lyrics. In the interview, Ifrah asks about their name, their influences, and the important role of music in bringing people together.
The Cedar’s neighborhood of Cedar Riverside is home to the largest diaspora of Somali’s in North America. In 2014, The Cedar launched the Mindimo program in partnership with Augsburg University to support the work of Somali musicians locally and internationally who are reviving Somalia’s vibrant live music traditions and to provide platforms for sharing this music with new audiences. Since its launch, Midnimo has reached over 21,500 audience members with live music by Maryan Mursal, FAARROW, Aar Maanta, and many more legendary and up-and-coming Somali artists living around the world. Presenting Thunder Band speaks to the heart of this initiative, and to our mission to promote intercultural appreciation and understanding through global music and dance.
Cedar Public Access Channel programs are free with a suggested donation of $10 to cover the costs of the program. That said, today we’re encouraging you to Give to the Max! The funds we raise today will help to further our mission as an organization, and will be matched up to $10,000 from an anonymous donor. If you’re able, please help keep The Cedar going strong! https://thecedar.org/donate
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Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/thecedar/
YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/user/MadeofCedar
THUNDER BAND
Thunder Band is a band of Somali musicians founded in Minnesota in 2012. Featuring renowned live vocalist Geedi, oud player Najax, and percussionist Harbi, the group performs both original and traditional Somali qaraami songs - popular ballad-like tunes that tell stories often centered on love. As one of the most in-demand live Somali musical groups in the state, they are regularly invited to perform at weddings and cultural events in the Twin Cities and beyond, including dinners for Somali dignitaries, the annual Somali Week Festival, and Minnesota Orchestra's International Day of Music.
IFRAH MANSOUR
Ifrah Mansour is a Somali, refugee, Muslim, multimedia artist and an educator based in Minnesota. Her artwork explores trauma through the eyes of children to uncover the resiliencies of blacks, Muslims, and refugees. She interweaves poetry, puppetry, films, and installations. She's been featured in BBC, Vice, Okayafrica, Star Tribune, and City Pages. Her critically-acclaimed, “How to Have Fun in a Civil War” premiered at Guthrie Theatre and toured to greater cities in Minnesota. Her first national museum exhibition; “Can I Touch It” premiered at Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Her visual poem, “I am a Refugee” is part of PBS’s short Film festival. "My Aqal, Banned and Blessed" premiered at Queens Museum in New York.
Ifrah’s page: www.facebook.com/ifrahmansourart
Get to know Ifrah a bit more:
This program was made possible by the Minnesota State Arts Board.
