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Gyedu Blay Ambolley is a musical luminary hailing from Ghana, West Africa, with a staggering 29 albums under his belt. Known affectionately as the "Simigwa Do Man,” Ambolley’s musical journey began in the vibrant port city of Sekondi-Takoradi, in the Western Region of Ghana. His early fascination with music blossomed into a lifelong passion. From mastering his father’s flute at the tender age of eight, to honing his guitar skills under the mentorship of “Uncle Bonku," Sammy Lartey and Ebo Taylor, Ambolley’s musical odyssey has been nothing short of extraordinary. This all led to Ambolley becoming a musical life force and exploding on the scene in 1973 with a jazzy highlife sound called "SIMIGWA-DO." His name has become synonymous with Simigwa music and dance. Coming of age amidst the zenith of Ghana’s highlife era, Ambolley emerged as a pivotal figure in its evolution, lending his talents to esteemed bands such as Houghas Extraordinaires, Meridians Of Tema and Ghana Broadcasting Band. It was during this time that he caught the attention of his compatriot and friend, Ebo Taylor, who recruited Ambolley to be a member of the Uhuru Dance Band. This all lead to a transformative journey to Nigeria in 1973, where they shared the stage with the legendary Fela Kuti at his renowned Shrine venue. 1975 Debut Album "Simigwa": Gyedu Blay Ambolley’s groundbreaking debut solo album, released in 1975, stands as a cornerstone of Ghanaian music history - with one of the most iconic album covers! "Simigwa" stands as Ambolley’s magnum opus, a masterpiece fusing together the rich tapestry of highlife, afrobeat, folk and funk. The album is a true testament to Ambolley’s unparalleled artistry written and produced in collaboration with the legend Ebo Taylor. Ambolley not only embraces his musical roots but also pioneers the fusion of Ghanaian highlife with soul and funk influences from across the Atlantic. With "Simigwa," Ambolley seized the opportunity to showcase his own musical prowess and embark on a journey of experimentation. A main inspiration for this album was the work of the mighty Mr. James Brown, something that is evident from the rhythm section, horns, vocal stabs and percussion breaks throughout the record. Performance: For the first time in the US, Gyedu Blay Ambolley will be performing his 1975 debut album in its entirety! Bringing his 8 piece band from Ghana, they will perform the pioneering masterpiece "Simigwa." Gyedu Blay Ambolley on Instagram

This week's albums and singles charts are both dominated by the same record: Sabrina Carpenter's Man's Best Friend, which debuts at No. 1 and lands all 12 of its songs in the Hot 100's top 40.

Smooth Operator Live: The Ultimate Tribute to Sade’s Seductive Sound Experience the sultry, sophisticated sounds of Sade like never before with Smooth Operator, the premier tribute band celebrating her timeless music. Led by dynamic percussionist Tony Young and fronted by the soulful vocals of Jessica “Jaye Nicole” Phillips, this ensemble of world-class musicians delivers a smooth, immersive performance that honors the elegance and emotional depth of Sade’s iconic sound. With members who have shared the stage with legends like Slave, Christina Aguilera, Ike Turner, and George Benson, Smooth Operator fuses technical brilliance with heartfelt tribute. Their polished arrangements, lush saxophone lines, and deep grooves will transport you from San Marcos to the velvet lounges of London. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of Sade’s greatest hits—live in the intimate, acoustically rich setting of The Bornemann Theatre. The Bornemann Theatre on Facebook / Instagram

The Beach Boys' co-founder, songwriter and producer transformed pop music into high art and became America's answer to The Beatles' Lennon and McCartney in the process.

Over the past decade, artist Math Bass has developed a lexicon of symbols in the series Newz!—letters, bodily forms, architectural fragments, animals, bones—arranged in a variety of scores, each symbol an empty space of meaning, filled in by the context in which it finds itself. Repetition of these symbols, rather than codifying them into one solid signification, exposes the difference at the heart of each iteration; there is always a gap in meaning, something unnamable left out of and left over in the viewer’s reading—a jouissance. It is this gap in the symbolic where Lee Edelman states queerness lies—not as an easily categorized liberal identity but as a process of unmaking and undoing that leaves (gendered) subjectivity as we know it in question. That these symbols are familiar only heightens our unsettling; the negative space of these compositions, a major player in Bass’s practice, adds further to the gap. Visit: https://mcasd.ticketapp.org/portal/product/250/event/1cb10d96-4a87-4377-b9ba-31ee5ff70842 MCASD on Instagram and Facebook

Salome Zourabichvili says October 2024's parliamentary contest that saw a pro-Russia party win most of the seats was rigged by Moscow. She says she is the legitimate leader of the people of Georgia.

Join us for a special event where the artists of Barracks 16 bring their creative process to life! Witness live painting demonstrations, engage with the artists, and see works of art take shape before your eyes. This is a unique opportunity to step into the studios, observe different techniques, and connect with the vibrant artistic community of Liberty Station. Whether you're an art lover, collector, or just curious, we invite you to be part of this inspiring experience. Mark your calendars and celebrate creativity with us! Visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/experience-art-in-action-at-barracks-16-tickets-1253357198119 Liberty Station on Instagram and Facebook

Join us for two talks this Friday. At 1 p.m. "The Mingei International Museum" with Kristi Ehrig-Burgess, Lead Library and Archives Specialist. Learn about The Frances Hamilton White Art Reference Library at Mingei International Museum. A unique a public/private space adjacent to the exhibition galleries. Join us for an overview of the library’s five year transformation from hidden gem to accessible resource. At 2:30 p.m. "Fentanyl Project" with Steve Breen, Inewsource. Fentanyl is driving overdose deaths in San Diego and beyond. Steve Breen explores the problem and its human toll. Join us this and every Friday for fun, informative, inspired talks. Our 30th year. Come early for a good seat. Parking permits required lot 1B Visit: https://www.miracosta.edu/community/life.html

SDSU's 53rd Annual Pow Pow will be held on April 12, 2025. The San Diego State University Pow Wow is a cultural and social event held annually to bring together the Native American community at SDSU. SDSU has the reputation of having one of the longest-running pow-wows run by a university in California. This event is open to the public and is a partnership between the Native Resource Center, the SDSU American Indian Studies Department, the Native American Student Alliance, and the American Indian Alumni Chapter of SDSU. Saturday, April 12, 2025 at SDSU Main Campus - REC Field 103 11 a.m. - Gourd Dance - Open Session Noon - Grand Entry 1 - 6 p.m. - Dance Exhibitions & Honorings 6 p.m. - Bird Singing 8 p.m. - Approximate End The pow wow includes dance contests, cultural displays, arts and craft booths, food vendors, and various informational booths. There will be a Master of Ceremonies and Arena Director who help run the event. The MC works with the Arena Director to keep the pow wow program organized and running smoothly. The SDSU pow wow kicks off with Kumeyaay Bird singers followed by the Gourd Dance and Grandy Entry which signals the official start of the festivities. Kumeyaay Bird Songs have been passed down through generations and are used in times of celebration or grief, to sing, dance, and share culture in the company of friends.Bird Songs are used in the place of a written history and record an oral history and way of life for Kumeyaay people. Through the use of animal metaphors and allegory, the songs are used to instruct and imprint collective teachings about practical things such as food, the environment and geography, as well as history, customs, and social/moral values. The Gourd Dance is a Kiowa Tribe ceremonial dance that honors warriors or veterans. Many of those that dance this style are veterans and the idea is to honor all warriors alive or fallen for their service. Most notable of the gourd dance is the use of either a gourd rattle or metallic salt shaker rattle and a red and blue wool blanket draped over the shoulders. Grand Entry is the official start of the pow wow and all dancers enter the arena. During the grand entry, the color guard brings in the Eagle Staff which is a symbol of American Indian Nations, the U.S flag, state and veterans flags are also represented. This is also a time when we introduce our honored Head Staff and other important guests.

This will be our first AXIS that focuses on the local Indigenous culture and will be a space to celebrate and honor the original people of this land. their language, and traditions. We invite you to join us on Saturday, March 22, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., right out on the Plaza for this inaugural celebration. Visit: https://www.theoldglobe.org/arts-engagement/axis/ The Old Globe on Facebook / Instagram / X