West& Round 2 with Chop and Quench:
Brooklyn was definitely the place to be Memorial Day weekend. Starting with Dance Africa at Bam/ Bazaar Street Festival, which concluded on Memorial Day. Following attending the annual show/ festival thriving on the music, dance, fashion, and art of the African Diaspora my spirited was definitely lifted and I wanted to participate. So I figured what better way to end a wonderful evening than with Chop and Quench formerly known as the Fela!?! This was my 2nd time attending Chop and Quench residency at the Knitting Factory Brooklyn. As promised this time around I brought my entire crew pictured below. I needed them see for themselves what I was raving about and of course the band did not disappoint.
Chop and Quench weekly residency concludes June 2nd 2014, so I urge you to attend before it’s too late. Every week the band is joined by a special guest and this week was the Ghanaian-American Powerhouse Abena Koomson. Abena played Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (Fela’s mother) in Fela! On Broadway and also was the former vocal captain. She was right next us dancing and singing along until it was her time to take the stage. She belted out the classic “Lady” and all the ladies and the room owned their Queendom.
The night was absolutely perfect. Watching my friends thoroughly enjoy themselves as the Afro-Beat Rhythms held them hostage. Seeing them dance and smile truly made my night worth it. I couldn’t keep this experience to myself. My Forces of Nature dance sister and Fela Queen (Fela! Tour) Tricia Taitt also owned the stage when pulled up to do a solo. Another major highlight was when the band performed “Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense.” I could not compose myself and to top it off they concluded with the high-octane Fela! On Broadway version of “Kere Kay.” That was it for me!
I have to give a special shout out to two of the beautiful Fela! Queens Oneika Phillips and Shakira Marshall. You ladies gave us every bit of life and were total sweethearts. I could only hope that you felt our energy from the front as we paid homage to art of working our Nyash. Thank you Chop and Quench for yet another incredible show and your unparallel musicianship. We all left the knitting factory elated! Don’t miss out on your opportunity have this experience, there is only 1 last show before Chop and Quench residency concludes and tell them Jerijah sent you!
-J. West