ican iam™

Africa’s rich cultural heritage has produced some of the most flavorful food, rhythmic music, and vibrant art in existence. The continent’s influence on other cultures has been profound; there are very few corners of the world which have not been touched in some way by Africa.

If you’ve dreamed about Africa but haven’t yet visited the motherland, you are invited to sample a spectrum of the best the Diaspora has to offer at “Africa Rising,” a new event combining food, music, art, and fashion – all with an African theme.

“There are only a few places in the Bay Area where you can really experience the African Diaspora,” Kpoh explains. “There are many people who come to Maisha Productions shows who love the music but have never tasted African food. Also, there are many people who love African food but know very little about African music. I wanted to create an event which would be not just a dinner or a dance party, but a full-on experience celebrating the diverse culture of the Motherland,” he adds. Being conscious of these difficult economic times, he says, “I wanted to keep it affordable. The goal is to make the culture of the African Diaspora accessible to people living in the Bay Area.”

Conceived by Jeremiah Kpoh, President of Maisha Productions, Africa Rising San Francisco offers food, music, and art enthusiasts more than just a taste of Africa, presenting a unique cultural experience featuring cuisine by Ethiopian chef Eskender Aseged (Radio Africa Kitchen), live Afro-soul by Nigerian musician Siji, plus DJs Jeremiah (Liberia) and Rich Medina (New York/Philadelphia), spinning Afrobeat, Soukous, and other Diasporan musical goodies.
In addition, Fashion designer / Visual Artist DAVID TIMEHIN™ ican iam™ will preview some pieces, as a static installment, from his up coming collection which debuts in Lagos - Nigeria later this year.
Finally the world premiere of the video of “Black President,” the Obama-inspired lead single and title track of the upcoming album by Sila and the Afrofunk Experience will be screened.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz12oO7ZzBw

Sila and the Afrofunk Experience

Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco

DAVID TIMEHIN™ ican iam.. A Visual Artist - A true Creative.

d Label of Self Empowerment.. DAVID TIMEHIN™ ican iam™ will preview some pieces & a static installment, from his up coming collection which debuts in Lagos - Nigeria later this year.

A little about David.. Born at home in Moss Side Manchester, England and grew up between ages 2 & 16 in Lagos, Nigeria. Son of A Nigerian Bespoke Menswear Master Tailor & British/Irish/Welsh mother, he literally grew up in d Business. David returned to England, well Actually, ran away from home @ 16 in search of his personal legend. Several years later after slaving away doing crappy jobs whilst studying part-time & then five straight years of Solid fashion school - College, was recruited and worked for Alberta Ferretti in Italy. After a season he went back to London, where he freelanced working with Louise Kennedy and also for Self, offering made to measure one of a kind commissions.

After a long spell of not getting enough freelance work, he took off again as a self imposed gypsy journeying to New york in search of a brighter future with the hope of returning to full time industry, but got despondent with the whole back stabbing, cut throat bitchy bs industry and so decided to do anything but fashion for several years, rather he worked in an Artisan Chocolate boutique JSC confections in San Francisco.. A nightmare with moments of Chocolate heaven.. Bitter Sweet it left him yearning for something else, so David decided it was time to return to his X Lover - fashion.

David has now gone full circle with plans to return to Nigeria and feels in the right space to be truly Creative again and continue on with his Art World wide.. Only this time as a Visual Artist Creating Fashion for everyone & not just a select few.

Currently creating & developing several labels, targeting different aspects of the Fashion and lifestyle.

ican iam™ is d Label of SELf Empowerment.. with One Love.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidtimehin
http://www.zazzle.com/davidtimehin
http://www.facebook.com/pages/DAVID-TIMEHINTM-ican-iamTM/37066790285?ref=nf

Fashion designer ..Visual Artist DAVID TIMEHIN™ ican iam™

The second born of twelve children to Nigerian émigrés in London, Siji spent much of his early childhood in Lagos and London before coming to the US to further pursue his musical ambitions. His own cultural heritage combined with the political and social movements of the age, exposed young Siji to the insurgent, politicized music of the Afrobeat legends Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Tony Allen as well as the soulful grooves of Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and Otis Redding. His parents, in particular, his father, loved music, but like most children of hardworking immigrants, Siji was urged by them to pursue a career in the professional fields of medicine or law. But the lure of the music was too strong. In the nineties, when London was bursting at the seams with new music and groups like Loose Ends, Soul II Soul, and D-Influence dominated the scene, Siji’s attention was captured and he began to follow his passion for making and recording his own music.

His new album, ‘Adesiji’, gives the listener the inspired reminiscences of the soul greats as well as traditional, Yoruba instruments, rhythms, and intricate drum patterns. Siji’s distinct vocals are an organic complement to the sound. His self-titled newest work, ‘Adesiji’, was mostly recorded in Baltimore, a city Siji suggests is “trapped in time.” The songs he wrote and recorded there too are soulful, but capture the mood of a seasoned artist. Siji’s recent collaboration with New York based producer/DJ Alix Alvarez, yielded the crowd pleasing, dance floor hit, ‘Irinajo.’ Sung in its entirety in his native tongue Yoruba, ‘Irinajo’ (“Journey”), is about the eventful journey of life. The album also features collaborations with DJ/Producer’s King Britt and Rich Medina

© All rights reserved.
DAVID TIMEHIN™ ican iam™
Baba 70 plugged in.. worn by adeSiji.

DJ RICH MEDINA http://www.myspace.com/richmedina

Rich is not only one of the worlds illest DJs but also the mastermind behind this decades dopest parties. OPEN @ Santo's w/ Q-TIP of Tribe Called Quest, has been called by New York Times "The party we wish we could keep in the bag." and the New Yorker said "With people like Jay-Z and Sean P-Diddy Combs it's no wonder Open is the greatest party in New York!" His party HAPPY FEET w/Bobbito aka Kool Bob Love continually sells out huge NY warehouses. And of course Jump'N'Funk his world famous Fela Kuti party just finished a world tour this year.
info: richmedina.com

Africa Rising San Francisco.. Rich & Jeremiah.

DJ JEREMIAH AND THE AFROBEAT NATION (http://maishaproductions.come)
Since arriving in the Bay Area, Liberian native DJ Jeremiah has been making a commotion, both musically and politically. Jeremiah's experiences as a refugee inform his in-your-face lyrics, which are sung over a mix of hip-hop beats, jazz-inspired tunes, and funk music. - Flavorpill

DJ Jeremiah and his Afrobeat Nation, who provide live trumpet and percussion while Liberia-born DJ Jeremiah spins funk by the likes of James Brown as well as Afrobeat stars like Fela Kuti, infusing orchestral jazz and African tribal chants into the mix. - San Francisco Chronicle

FOOD BY RADIO AFRICA AND KITCHEN
http://radioafricakitchen.com

- Saffron prawns with harissa aioli
- Moroccan roasted lamb with chermoula
- Edamame hummus with Tartine bread
- Mushroom crostini with basil essenceWhy “Radio Africa”?

Chef Eskender Aseged.

Radio Africa & Kitchen was created by Chef Eskender Aseged.
In the fall of 2004, Eskender, Originally from Ethiopia, has worked in Bay Area restaurants for the past 20 years. He began preparing and serving meals in his home for groups of 15-20 friends and their friends. Radio Africa was born. Word spread and the nomadic restaurant made its next stop at Velo Rouge Cafe, where he served dinner from December 2005 to March 2008. Eskender now devotes all of his time to Radio Africa.

The name comes from Eskender’s experience growing up in Ethiopia with very few outlets for popular music and sports. Only one household per neighborhood might have a radio and kids would gather and listen to soccer matches and music, sharing laughter, conversation and snacks — typically freshly roasted barley, garbanzo beans and other whole grain cereals. Radio Africa & Kitchen similarly brings people together for stimulating conversation and laughter accompanied by authentic, healthy meals — all while listening to a variety of African music. When you dine with us, we encourage you to sit together at one large table (family style) as you would in your own home.

Africa Rising San Francisco: Food, Music & Fashion..