Joshua Nelson, Vado Diomande
– The concert will feature the musical styles of American gospel singer Joshua Nelson and Ivory Coast traditional dance and drum master Vado Diomande –
Flushing Town Hall’s popular series, Mini-Global Mashups, will present another installment this summer on Sunday, July 24 at 1 PM EST with its Gospel Meets Côte d’Ivoire concert.
Audiences will enjoy two solo musicians with distinct musical and cultural backgrounds performing together in a unique pairing when American gospel singer Joshua Nelson and Ivory Coast traditional dance and drum master Vado Diomande collaborate on stage. They will be joined by accompanist drummer Moussa Drame.
Joshua Nelson is both a Jewish Gospel singer in the tradition of Mahalia Jackson and a full-time Hebrew teacher in the Hebrew school at Sharey Tefilo-Israel, a Reform synagogue in South Orange, NJ, when he is not on the road. He also serves as director of music at Hopewell Baptist Church in Newark, NJ, which is housed in the building of a former synagogue (the former B’nai Jeshurun). Nelson has performed with musical legends including Wynton Marsalis, Aretha Franklin, Stephanie Mills, and Billy Preston, as well as gospel singers Albertina Walker, the Barret Sisters, Hezekiah Walker, Kirk Franklin, Dottie Peoples, Dorothy Norwood, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Reverend Timothy Wright, and Bobby Jones & New Life. Nelson also performs frequently with the Jewish Klezmer band The Klezmatics and performed with the late jazz greats Cab Calloway and Dizzy Gillespie.
Vado Diomande has danced since the age of four, learning the dance and drum traditions of his Mahouka people. Vado learned over 60 ethnic dance and drumming traditions from the Ivory Coast and other West African countries. His repertoire elevated his career to eventually choreographing and touring extensively throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia. In 1989 he established L’Ensemble Kokiegna d’Abidjan, which has resided in New York City as the Kotchegna Dance Company since 1994. In Vado’s native language Mahou, ‘kotchegna’ means messenger. His troupe’s goal is to inspire joy and understanding through the power of dance and drum, promoting the exchange of culture worldwide. He continues to strengthen his experience as a choreographer, artistic director, teacher, and performer. Vado is also a teaching artist for Flushing Town Hall.
The Mini-Global Mashups series has been curated by acclaimed trumpeter and composer Frank London of The Klezmatics, who has himself performed in Flushing Town Hall’s original, large-scale Global Mashups series.
“Audiences can look forward to enjoying phenomenal, world-class performers whose music is tied to their traditions but simultaneously modernized and fused with other musical elements that expand their borders,” says Frank London.
“Our Mini-Global Mashups are always a great experience – and Gospel Meets Côte d’Ivoire will be another ride of discovery for our audience,” says Flushing Town Hall Executive & Artistic Director Ellen Kodadek. “Joshua Nelson and Vado Diomande are extraordinary talents and it will truly be an honor for them to grace our stage.”
The July 24 performance will be followed by a Q+A conversation between the artists and the audience.
In-person tickets are $12 for Flushing Town Hall members and $15 for non-members. Those who are unable to attend in person can view the livestream for free at https://www.youtube.com/flushingtownhall/live. Donations are encouraged to support the additional costs of live streaming so audiences everywhere can enjoy the concert.
For the Mini-Global Mashup series’ full schedule and to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.flushingtownhall.org/mini-global-mashups or call (718) 463-7700 x222.
FOR CALENDAR LISTINGS:
SUN, JUL 24, 1 PM ET
Common Ground: Mini-Global Mashup #10 – Gospel Meets Côte d’Ivoire
GLOBAL MUSIC | IN-PERSON | VIRTUAL
https://www.flushingtownhall.org/gospel-meets-cotedivoire
Common Ground: Mini-Global Mashups are curated by acclaimed trumpeter and composer Frank London of The Klezmatics, bringing together two amazing, global music artists for an afternoon of music, conversation, and exploration. Post-show Q&A. This month’s mashup will feature American gospel singer Joshua Nelson and Ivory Coast traditional dance and drum master Vado Diomande.
$15/$12 Members; Virtual: Free
The Mini-Global Mashup concert series is made possible thanks to funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
COVID Policy:
Although, as of March 7, 2022, New York City has relaxed its COVID policies for indoor arts and entertainment events, Flushing Town Hall will maintain its prior policy for the safety of its audiences, artists, and staff. This policy will remain in effect until further notice: Flushing Town Hall requires all visitors, performers, and staff to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 with matching identification. Additionally, masks will be required at all times. For more details on Flushing Town Hall’s Covid-safety measures and vaccine requirements, please visit: https://www.flushingtownhall.org/covid-safety.
Support Global Arts With A Gift Today!
All gifts of $50 or more give you exclusive Flushing Town Hall Circle of Friends membership benefits including a Smithsonian membership, ticket discounts, and more! Donations in any amount are appreciated to support the artists and the nonprofit cultural organization as they continue to provide programming and entertainment across New York and the world.
https://www.flushingtownhall.org/circle-of-friends
Flushing Town Hall is a not for profit organization and receives major support in its 2021-2022 Fiscal Year from the National Endowment for the Arts; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature; New York State Assembly Member Ron Kim; The City of New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio (2021) and Mayor Eric Adams (2022); New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Commissioner Gonzalo Casals; Queens Borough President Donovan Richards; The New York City Council, Speaker Corey Johnson; Council Members Costa Constantinides, Daniel Dromm, Barry Grodenchik, Peter Koo, Karen Koslowitz, Paul A. Vallone, Jimmy Van Bramer; Howard Gilman Foundation, Booth Ferris Foundation, Guru Krupa Foundation, Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation.
To view current donor lists, please visit www.flushingtownhall.org/donor-listings
About Flushing Town Hall
Flushing Town Hall (FTH), a Smithsonian affiliate, presents multi-disciplinary global arts that engage and educate the global communities of Queens and New York City, in order to foster mutual appreciation. As advocates of arts equity since 1979, we support local, immigrant, national, and international artists, developing partnerships and collaborations that enhance our efforts. As a member of New York City’s Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), we serve to restore, manage and program the historic 1862 landmark on behalf of the City of New York. FTH celebrates the history of Queens as the home of Jazz, by presenting the finest in Jazz performance. We are committed to arts education and hands-on learning, for the arts-curious, arts enthusiasts, and professional artists. We serve one of the most diverse communities in the world and strive to uphold the legacy of inclusiveness that has defined our community since the Flushing Remonstrance of 1657.
Land Acknowledgement:
Flushing Town Hall acknowledges that we are on the traditional land of the Matinecock People, one of the original tribes of New York, and the first people of Flushing, Queens. The Matinecock continue to live and work on this land to this day. Flushing Town Hall honors their elders who have stewarded this land throughout generations.
