Latest news with #Sankofa
Axios
04-08-2025
- Business
- Axios
"Chopped" chef opens pasta stall in Charlotte's Optimist Hall
A new Italian food stall called ESO Artisanal Pasta will open at Optimist Hall Friday, Aug. 8. Why it matters: Charlotte native AJ Sankofa and his wife, Kristina Gambarian, are bringing their pandemic-born pasta business — and their national TV cooking cred — back to Sankofa's hometown. Context: The couple started ESO as a delivery business during the pandemic. Their handmade pasta and sauces got so popular that they were able to open a storefront in New Jersey in 2021. Sankofa, who grew up in Charlotte, has also appeared on Food Network's "Chopped" and "The Great Food Truck Race." In 2023, they closed their New Jersey storefront to open a fast-casual concept inside Optimist Hall. What they're saying:"Opening a spot where we could serve authentic Italian food has always been the dream," says Gambarian. What to expect: ESO will serve a concise menu of pasta dishes and sides, like fried risotto balls, Italian meatballs and Sicilian fried chicken. All of the cheeses, meats, flour, and even the salt used in their dishes are imported from Italy. The stall also has a Chef's Counter for reservation-only tasting menus. Those are expected to launch in the next six to eight months, says Gambarian. There's also a "fish bowl" window, where passersby and diners alike can watch the kitchen make pastas, desserts and shred huge blocks of cheese. Pastas come in two sizes: small ($9) and large ($15). We tried sample portions of ESO's menu at a media preview ahead of its Friday opening. Here are several of the dishes to expect. An assortment of Italian meats and cheeses The spread won't be on the regular menu, says Sankofa, but will be more of a "secret menu" option. We tried various meats and cheeses, including a 36-month-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, speck (a smoked Italian ham) and taralli, traditional Italian snack crackers. Paccheri Pomodoro The paccheri pasta sauce is called pomodoro classico. It's made with 12 onions, five pounds of tomato, fresh basil, garlic confit and finished with olive oil. Cacio e Pepe with 100 cracks of black pepper It's your classic Cacio e Pepe, made with pecorino, black pepper, pasta water and a little butter for creaminess. Gambarian says 100 cracks of black pepper is added to every batch. Lumache al ragù (Chef AJ's favorite) This hearty pasta dish is filled with various Italian meats, including beef shoulder, pork shoulder, prosciutto and pancetta. A non-alcoholic Aperol spritz Other drink choices include a range of Italian sodas and prosecco. Stop by: Optimist Hall is at 1115 N. Brevard St. Find ESO Artisanal Pasta in the old Collier Candy Co. spot, between Schreiber's on Rye and Zukku Sushi.
Mail & Guardian
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
Diary: National Arts Festival, Thandiswa live at the Lyric, Sisonke Afrohouse
Thandiswa Mazwai returns to the stage for an intimate, soul-stirring performance at The Lyric Theatre. (Photo supplied) Festival returns with fresh fire and fearless talent For 11 days this winter, Makhanda becomes the beating heart of South African creativity and artistic innovation as the National Arts Festival lights up the Eastern Cape until 6 July. A staple on the cultural calendar since 1974, the festival has long been a space for protest, play and powerful storytelling — and this year is no different. The programme honours Youth Month by spotlighting bold new voices through the Standard Bank Young Artist Awards. Six trailblazers — Asanda Ruda, Siya Charles, Muneyi, Calvin Ratladi, Modise Sekgothe and Nyakallo Maleke — will debut genre-pushing work across theatre, music, jazz, dance, poetry and visual arts. It's a testament to the resilience and brilliance of South African youth and a celebration of the art that helps us reflect, reimagine and rise. Visit Thandiswa live at The Lyric for one night only Thandiswa Mazwai returns to the stage for an intimate, soul-stirring performance at The Lyric Theatre on 29 June at 7pm, marking a year since the release of her fourth studio album Sankofa. Joined by a stellar jazz quartet, she will journey through songs from Sankofa and Belede — two albums steeped in memory, lineage and fierce artistry. Expect stories of mentorship, movement and music, with nods to the likes of Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela. The show offers a celebration of pan-African sound, with reinterpretations of protest jazz classics and new material. Tickets at Webtickets — Get together for an Afrohouse event Sisonke — We Are Together, an Afrohouse music event, is set to launch this weekend. The event is an experience rooted in unity, rhythm, culture, and energy. Sisonke, which means 'we are together' in isiZulu, aims to connect music lovers through sound. The event will take place at The Nest in Johannesburg on Sunday 29 June from 2pm to 11pm. 'Sisonke brings together the immersive power of Afrohouse music and a carefully curated community experience. 'With an emphasis on premium, intimate settings, each Sisonke event offers a deep, soulful celebration of Afrohouse culture from South Africa to the world,' say the event organisers. Rising South African artists Omagoqa and Thakzin will be gracing the Sisonke stage. The full line-up is set to be announced during the course of the week. Tickets are available on Quicket for R300.
eNCA
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- eNCA
Mazwai marks Sankofa anniversary
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's renowned singer and songwriter, Thandiswa Mazwai, will be celebrating a year since the release of her album Sankofa with a special presentation at the Lyric Theatre at Johannesburg's Gold Reef City next weekend Sunday. She will also present music from her album Belede and tell her fans about her memories from her encounters with mentors like Miriam Makeba and Huge Masekela as well as her travels across Africa.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'An American holiday': Nashville celebrates Juneteenth with music, dance and more
Gary Burke looked on proudly in his Civil War-era U.S. Colored Troops uniform as Juneteenth festivities unfolded at the Tennessee State Museum. He watched as the Sankofa African Drum and Dance group performed, filling the Great Hall with drum beats while dancers in brightly colored outfits got the crowd clapping and moving along with them. "Juneteenth is not only an African American holiday, it's an American holiday," Burke said. "It's a chance for people from all backgrounds to celebrate emancipation for oppressed people. It's very important that we celebrate together today." Burke said he is the great-great-grandson of Peter Bailey, who was part of Company K in the 17th Regiment of the U.S. Colored Troops and a veteran of the Battle of Nashville in 1864. Burke has been dressing in full uniform for reenactments for 20 years and had plans to be part of the Juneteenth615 event at Historic Fort Negley later that night. Juneteenth commemorates the day the last group of enslaved people were freed in America. While the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, it took until June 19, 1865, for Union troops to free the last of those enslaved in Galveston, Texas. The holiday has long been celebrated in the Black community. Then-President Joe Biden declared it a federal holiday in 2021, dubbing it Juneteenth National Independence Day. More: What does Juneteenth celebrate? Meaning and origins, explained A few miles away from the Tennessee State Museum, the National Museum of African American Music opened its doors to mark the day. The public was welcomed in for the free event, which included access to the museum's galleries, live performances, interactive art projects for kids, a screening of a special documentary by the Metro Human Relations Commission and a drum circle that visitors could join. Ariel and Whitney Giles-Paul drove from Murfreesboro to attend with their 3-year-old daughter, Journey. They were excited to experience the museum for the first time and learn more about the rich history of African American music. "We just wanted Journey to experience this, too," Whitney Giles-Paul said, as a recording of the Fisk Jubilee singers performing an African spiritual played in the background. This year's Juneteenth celebration comes in a time fraught with worries over President Donald Trump's efforts to end diversity, equity and inclusion efforts nationwide. In Tennessee, lawmakers passed the "Dismantling DEI Departments Act" earlier this year. More: Trump DEI attacks have changed how companies celebrate Juneteenth Ariel Giles-Paul said she worried about Juneteenth events, including the one at the museum, being a possible target for violence amid political tension. Pro-immigration and anti-Trump rallies have sprung up in recent days around the country. "Even today, I told (my wife), 'Should we even go? What if something happens?'" she said. "But I'm of the mindset that we just have to keep going and keep persisting. We have to live our life. Plus we have a little one. We have to be good role models for her." Reach reporter Rachel Wegner via email at RAwegner@ You can also find her on Twitter or Bluesky under the handle RachelAnnWegner. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Juneteenth in Nashville: Celebrations include music, dance, history
IOL News
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Thandiswa Mazwai Tiny Desk Concert reaches 1 million views
Thandiswa Mazwai alongside a jazz quartet will be performing music from her albums "Belede" and "Sankofa" at The Lyric Theatre at Johannesburg's Gold Reef City. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers South African music legend Thandiswa Mazwai's episode on the National Public Radio (NPR) Tiny Desk Concert series has reached 1 million views. Affectionately known as 'King Tha,' she appeared on the popular YouTube show in April 2024. Her episode was listed among the '10 Best Tiny Desk Concerts of 2024'. Mazwai had delivered a spiritual and breathtaking Tiny Desk performance in Washington, D.C., performing her well-known and cherished hits such as 'Nizalwa Ngobani?' and 'Ingoma.' The episode reaching 1 million views comes ahead of her show at The Lyric Theatre at Johannesburg's Gold Reef City. Playing with a Jazz quartet, the icon will be performing music from her albums 'Belede' and 'Sankofa' on Sunday, June 29. Mazwai shared her excitement about performing the body of works. 'It is a special treat for our fans who always ask to see this music live. 'Belede' is of course, a very special album for me and we are also celebrating a year since the release of 'Sankofa'.' 'Belede' is Mazwai's third solo studio album, released in 2016, a collection of reinterpretations of legendary South African Jazz and protest anthems from the 1950s and 1960s. 'Sankofa' is Mazwai's fourth studio album and was released in May 2024. 'Sankofa' is a Ghanaian Twi word that means 'to go back and fetch what has been left behind'. The making of this record embodied that idea. Recorded in Johannesburg, Dakar, and New York, the album combines archival Xhosa samples (which were sourced from the International Library of African Music at Rhodes University), jazz and West African music. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Mazwai shared that 'Within those ancient rhythms and polyrhythms, a common lexicon revealed itself to me and I am excited to share this music with those who have been growing and evolving with me. 'It is about a celebration of the pan-African spirit, healing old wounds, and returning to what honours us." 'Belede' and 'Sankofa' have a strong jazz influence and Mazwai's show will put together a special lineup of musicians to celebrate some of the people who played and the influences that created the music. IOL Entertainment
