Angélique Kidjo— World Dance Party in Philly

I’ve wanted to see world music vocalist and five-time Grammy winner, Angélique Kidjo, ever since I heard her album Eve in 2014 and started using her music in my Global Rhythms Dance programs. I danced joyously with hundreds of families to rousing “M’Baamba” (Kenyan Song). We rested with her lullaby “Blewu.”  Saturday night I got my wish!

The performance at Penn Live Arts started out with a solo percussionist. When Angélique entered the stage, the energy heightened. Immediately, her rich voice filled the room. She was giving 2000% right from the starts. When she wasn’t singing she was dancing.  After  the 3rd or 4th song, she threw off her headwrap  for more freedom of movement. Her body was electric with rhythm. It was impossible to sit still

Angélique wanted audience participation and she make sure she got it, inviting us to clap, sing, and get up and dance. “When you come to my shows, you wear your dancing shoes!”  she commanded. By the end of the performance, everyone was all in and didn’t want her to leave.

The performance was light and joyful at times—a lively banter with her keyboard player made us smile. There were some serious moments too,  as her songs addressed war and inequities.  “Kindness is a bullet-proof vest,” her late mother told her.

Originally from Benin, she moved to Paris in 1983 after a coup, to pursue her music career, without fear of persecution. When Angélique was young, she saw Celia Cruz perform salsa.  A woman singing salsa and being the boss of her group, was unheard of.  “I wanted to be like her,” she told us. Sprinkled through the eclectic set (Angelique sings in five languages) were words like freedom, love, and resilience.  She shared  wisdom from her late parents—” When God gives you the gift of voice, you share it with the world.”

Angelique’s been doing that for 40 years. And it sure looks like she has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. Thank you, Angélique. You showed us how it’s done!