The Pan African Fest "Raps" Up with K'naan

Kate Iverson

August 11, 2008

MUSIC

K’naan

D.E.M.O.’s Twin Cities Pan African Fest goes out with a bang tonight at First Avenue. Toronto-based Somalian rapper K’naan
will engage the audience with his smooth flows and thoughtful prose for
an evening of amazing music you won’t soon forget. Raised in Mogadishu, Somalia in the midst of civil war, and descended from a long line of poets, intellectuals and most notably an aunt, Magool,
who was one of Somalia’s most beloved singers, K’naan was influenced by
American rappers such as Nas and Rakim well before he immigrated to
Canada where he created a buzz with his profound spoken word
performances. Today this artist shines for not only his slick beats,
but also for poetically blending both English and Somali language into
his rhymes – bringing intense and thought-provoking tales of life,
loss, and roots to the ears of many.

7pm, First Avenue, 701 1st Avenue N, Minneapolis, $16 Advance, $20 Door

SPECIAL EVENT

Movies & Music in the Park

I was once treated to an impromptu acapella performance by Black Audience front woman Jayanthi Kyle while sitting on the crowded patio of a neighborhood bar. Egged on by our mutal friend Susannah,
Jayanthi went full force into a heartbreakingly soulful number that
immediately hushed and enraptured the entire patio for the endurance of
her performance, which was at least five minutes long. Since then,
Jayanthi has banded together with an impressive lineup of bluesy locals
to form "Black Audience," an old-timey charm-and-banjo-infused acoustic
troupe. What I’m getting at here, is if you’re going to go to Movies and Music in the Park this summer, this is the one. 1948 comedy/drama film State of the Union, directed by Frank Capra screens after the performance, so bring a blanky.

7pm, Loring Park, Hennepin & Oak Grove Street, Minneapolis, Free

SHOPPING

ROBOTlove

Nothing cheers up a dismal Monday more than buying cute things you don’t need! And, although this isn’t an actual
event, I’ve decided to occasionally drop some Twin Cities shopping
science on you, just to spice things up a bit. I mean, you don’t always
want to do something that takes a lot of energy, right? Sometimes you
just want to indulge your frivolity. Today’s hot tip is designer toy
mecca ROBOTlove,
located in the easy-to-find-parking area of Uptown, just off Lyndale
and 27th. This wistful little shop will delight children and adults
alike with its array of super-collectible, limited edition art-toys and
futuristic knick-knacks from all over the world; its small but amazing
offering of hipper-than-thou threads and accessories by local and
national designers; and its stellar collection of high-end art mags and
design books. ROBOTlove is the perfect place to find a totally hip and
unusual gift for just about anyone, or to maybe kick-off your new
obsession with Dunny trading. And if you’re hungry after all that shoppin’, head over the the Uptown Bulldog
a mere block away for some serious deliciousness and maybe even a beer
– but when you get home don’t forget to order your tix to The Rake’s World Flavors Dinner Party at the Bulldog’s Northeast location by clicking HERE.