Taj Weekes & Adowa Play Minnesota State University and Visit With Youth at YMCA’s Discovery Program

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MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY MANKATO

Reggae musician, songwriter and humanitarian Taj Weekes and his band Adowa will perform in concert Tuesday, March 16.

Weekes and his band will perform at 7:30 p.m. in Halling Rectial Hall of the Performing Arts Center. Earlier that day — at 1 p.m. — Weekes will be a guest on KMSU‘s “Good Health — It’s Your Choice.” He also will visit the Mankato YMCA‘s Discovery program and Movement in Music class Wednesday, March 17, from noon to 1 p.m.

Weekes, of the Caribbean island republic of St. Lucia, has released two albums during the last five years and has toured the country sharing his reggae music.

Noted for “raising the level of songwriting within the idiom of reggae music,” Weekes provides a new-roots reggae experience with wry lyrics and haunting vocals. His music weaves social consciousness with a reggae groove, confronting such issues as global warming, Hurricane Katrina and the Darfur crisis.

In 2005, Adowa released its debut album, “Hope & Doubt,” to critical acclaim. In 2006 and 2007 the group toured extensively throughout the U.S., performing with such reggae icons as Gregory Isaacs, Toots & the Maytals, Third World and Yellowman.

The band’s latest album, “Diedem,” was named by Billboard Magazine as “one of six essential albums heralding roots rock’s resurgence,” and was shortlisted for the Grammys. “Diedem” is nominated for Best Reggae Album for the Just Plain Folks Awards [Ed. note: Deidem won Best Reggae Album award], and “Angry Language” and “Little Fire” are nominated for Best Reggae Song.

The March 16 KMSU program will focus on nutrition and exercise related to early onset Type II Diabetes, as well as Weekes’ non-profit organization, They Often Cry Outreach. In addition to Weekes, program guests will include John Romas, chair of Health Sciences, David Bissonette, Family Consumer Science faculty member; John Kind, Mankato YMCA CEO; and James Gullickson, KMSU manager.

General admission to the concert is $15; tickets for Minnesota State Mankato students with a valid MavCard are $10. Advance purchase for the evening performance is encouraged; those who wish to purchase online may visit the Music Department Web site. Those who want more information may call the Performance Series office at 507-389-5549.

Support for Weekes’ visit is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.