Afro-pop trio brings high-energy concert to Whitefish

Back by popular demand, the Whitefish Theatre Company is delighted to present the Okaidja Afroso Trio, a dynamic ensemble of musicians known for their spicy fusion of traditional and contemporary African rhythms. A family-friendly concert not to miss, Okaidja and his band will perform their high-energy, infectious music and dance on Thursday, Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

Okaidja is an Afro-pop singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Ghana, West Africa. Born into a family of musicians and storytellers, his unique artistic vision has led him to combine the powerful, native rhythms of Ghana with diverse, unexpected cross-cultural flavors of folk, blues, and pop. This fresh sound preserves the authenticity of the traditional while embracing the rich complexity of the integrated world we inhabit today. Although Okaidja sings most of his hypnotic arrangements in his native language, the meanings of the songs shine through as he tells stories of his people, their journeys, and the African Diaspora. Okaidja’s smooth compositions, soulful vocals, and spirited dancing promise an unforgettable and joyful evening of music.

Okaidja was born into a family of singers and songwriters. By the age of 19, Okaidja was accepted as a professional musician and dancer for the prestigious Ghana Dance Ensemble at the University of Ghana’s Institute of African Studies. He became well known for his energetic stage presence and excelled in his performances that incorporated the Ga music from the southern part of Ghana and the Dagomba music from the northern part of Ghana. As Okaidja began to incorporate sounds from multiple cultural influences from the past and the present, his music and dance career blossomed.

In addition to Okaidja, who sings, dances, and plays a number of instruments, other band members include Boinor Nartey from Ghana and Manavihare Fiaindratovo from Madagascar on percussion and vocals. This unique collaboration of rhythms and sounds “creates music that feeds your soul.”

Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students with reserved seating. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office, 1 Central Ave., Whitefish, or by calling 862-5371. Box office hours are from 11 a.m.to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before a performance. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.whitefishtheatreco.org. An outreach concert for local students is sponsored by American Bank.