Anna Mwalagho & Afrofloetry Band
Bowie, Maryland, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2008 | SELF | AFTRA
Music
Press
"I have carved my work to represent the plight and success of the Diasporas from all corners of Africa and Caribbean. That way, whenever there is need for an African poet, singer, storyteller, actress or even an African dancer I stand a high chance of being contacted," she said of her niche in the American market. - Business Daily: AllAfrica.com : August 25th 2011 by Immaculate Karambu
"I have carved my work to represent the plight and success of the Diasporas from all corners of Africa and Caribbean. That way, whenever there is need for an African poet, singer, storyteller, actress or even an African dancer I stand a high chance of being contacted," she said of her niche in the American market. - Business Daily: AllAfrica.com : August 25th 2011 by Immaculate Karambu
Opening for Hugh Masekela was Kenyan songstress, Anna Mwalagho, an artiste based in the Washington DC area, who warmed up the crowd with a blend of poetry, African drums, song and African dancing.
Her lyrics were socially relevant as Mwalagho spoke of gender and development in Africa, setting just the right tone for Masekela's entrance.
- AllAfrica.com; modernghana.com; January 31st 2008
See video. - Video VOA; April 4th 2012 by Ndimyake Mwakalyelye
See video. - Video VOA; April 4th 2012 by Ndimyake Mwakalyelye
PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
Jan 17, 2009 ... historic inauguration of America's first African American President. .... Anna Mwalagho and Afro-Floetry. Location: National Museum of African Art.
- 2002-2009-fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/115117.pdf
PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
Jan 17, 2009 ... historic inauguration of America's first African American President. .... Anna Mwalagho and Afro-Floetry. Location: National Museum of African Art.
- 2002-2009-fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/115117.pdf
... celebrations in Washington marking the inauguration of President Barack Obama. ... Kenyan performing artist Anna Mwalagho will debut a song in honour of the new president. - www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/516296/-/.../-/index.html - Similar
... celebrations in Washington marking the inauguration of President Barack Obama. ... Kenyan performing artist Anna Mwalagho will debut a song in honour of the new president. - www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/516296/-/.../-/index.html - Similar
A poet like Anna Mwalagho of Kenya bridged Brutus’s heritage to the present day, updating his themes of social justice for 21st century forms. Combining traditional African musical traditions with American hip-hop and spoken word, she chanted, sang and rhymed with a powerful confidence. A poem like “I Have a Dream,” owed as much to Martin Luther King Jr.’s quest for civil rights as it did to the rhythms of her homeland. The easy blend of two continents made her message of African strength all that much stronger for her diverse audience of Americans and Africans.In two hours the café crowd caught a glimpse of an explosive exchange: Africa and America, one generation and another. But it wasn’t a violent combustion; instead, it was a productive meeting of elements, the kind of reaction where both parties end up enriched afterwards.……… - Diplomatic Courier, A Global Affairs Magazine www.diplomaticourier.org/DL_July09_Day_African_Child_P
A poet like Anna Mwalagho of Kenya bridged Brutus’s heritage to the present day, updating his themes of social justice for 21st century forms. Combining traditional African musical traditions with American hip-hop and spoken word, she chanted, sang and rhymed with a powerful confidence. A poem like “I Have a Dream,” owed as much to Martin Luther King Jr.’s quest for civil rights as it did to the rhythms of her homeland. The easy blend of two continents made her message of African strength all that much stronger for her diverse audience of Americans and Africans.In two hours the café crowd caught a glimpse of an explosive exchange: Africa and America, one generation and another. But it wasn’t a violent combustion; instead, it was a productive meeting of elements, the kind of reaction where both parties end up enriched afterwards.……… - Diplomatic Courier, A Global Affairs Magazine www.diplomaticourier.org/DL_July09_Day_African_Child_P
Kenyan Poet Brings Unique Blend of Music and Dance to American Audience.
Ann Mwalagho lives by her personal philosophy, “Dance, sing, laugh, and truly love” -- which she calls “the joys of life.
Mwalagho does each well. The Kenyan artist sings and writes poetry, which she fuses with dance, a combination she says has won her a fan base in the United States.
One of her poems is called the “Dark Continent,” a tongue-in-cheek reference to the racist description of Africa coined during the colonial era. For Mwalagho, the name also evokes the resilient nature of the African people in the face of such disparaging terms. The physical nature of the language she uses -- how it sounds and feels -- accounts in large measure for the poem's effect.” Her perseverance has paid off: Since the launch of her career in the United States, she counts many personal and professional milestones. She has shared the stage with the international South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela and entertained dignitaries such like winner Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai. Mwalagho was recently appointed an Ambassador for Peace by the Inter-Religious and International Federation for Peace.
- VOA News -...www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2009-07-07-voa67.cfm?FORM... Similar Jackson Muneza M'
Kenyan Poet Brings Unique Blend of Music and Dance to American Audience.
Ann Mwalagho lives by her personal philosophy, “Dance, sing, laugh, and truly love” -- which she calls “the joys of life.
Mwalagho does each well. The Kenyan artist sings and writes poetry, which she fuses with dance, a combination she says has won her a fan base in the United States.
One of her poems is called the “Dark Continent,” a tongue-in-cheek reference to the racist description of Africa coined during the colonial era. For Mwalagho, the name also evokes the resilient nature of the African people in the face of such disparaging terms. The physical nature of the language she uses -- how it sounds and feels -- accounts in large measure for the poem's effect.” Her perseverance has paid off: Since the launch of her career in the United States, she counts many personal and professional milestones. She has shared the stage with the international South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela and entertained dignitaries such like winner Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai. Mwalagho was recently appointed an Ambassador for Peace by the Inter-Religious and International Federation for Peace.
- VOA News -...www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2009-07-07-voa67.cfm?FORM... Similar Jackson Muneza M'
Anna Mwalagho Poetry. 3 p.m.. Halau Hoyomau Hawaiian music and dance. 3:45 p.m. ... Anna Mwalagho Storytelling and poetry. 2 p.m.. Gayle Ross (Cherokee) ...
- www.washingtonpost.com/.../out-of-many-a-multicultural-festival-of-music-dance-and-
Anna Mwalagho Poetry. 3 p.m.. Halau Hoyomau Hawaiian music and dance. 3:45 p.m. ... Anna Mwalagho Storytelling and poetry. 2 p.m.. Gayle Ross (Cherokee) ...
- www.washingtonpost.com/.../out-of-many-a-multicultural-festival-of-music-dance-and-
Discography
Anna Mwalagho released her First Album: Ukweli -The Truth :Spokenword with Afrobeat music
The CD is available on i-tunes, cdbaby.com and apple tunes
Anna Mwalagho second CD is OUT!
HaKI: Her second album will rock you and keep you on your feet! inspire you and move you to think outside the box! Fela Kuti inspired! the CD is also available on i-tunes, cdbaby.com and purchased at the Smithsonian Museum of African Art store.
Photos
Bio
Anna Mwalagho is more than a triple-threat performer. She is a true remarkable renaissance woman, an internationally recognized actress, comedian, poet/spoken word artist, African dancer, singer/songwriter and storyteller. She has won numerous national awards in her native country Kenya, and here in the U.S.A, where she is recognized as the Queen of spoken Afro beat and also "Mama Africa". She has captivated many with her blend of spoken word, African dance, music, comedy, acting, and storytelling into an electrifying one woman show.
Her theatrical poetry inspires, evokes thought and entertains as well as educates all ages and races. Her music has a unique message from the soul of the motherland. It tells the story of life rough but fulfilling journeys. Since the launch of her career in the United States, Anna has become one of the most sought after African Spoken Word/Poetic Afro beat artist. And with her band which she formed the Afrofloetry band, she has shared the stage with the international South African Jazz legend HUGH MASEKELA in Washington DC where she and her band were the featured opening act. She also had the chance to collaborate with another African musical legend OLIVER MTUKUDZI, as they performed her famous poem (Flavored World) during his US tour.
In 2009 her band was chosen to represent Kenya during the inaugural events of PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, where she performed at the National Museum of African arts for thousands of audience from different parts of the world. She has also been featured in the famous theatrical play Vagina Monologues and other film/documentary projects. Not only has she entertained dignitaries such as NOBEL PRIZE winner Nobel Laureate Mrs. Wangari Maathai, Dr. Henry Louise Gates, Actor Forest Whitaker, Lynn Whitfield and Louis Gosset Jr among others but she has also graced the stages of high profile venues including:
The Library of Congress, DC
The Kennedy Center, DC
The Manhattan Center, NYC
UNAIDS International Conference
Smithsonian Museum of African Art, DC
Smithsonian Museum of African Art
Casablanca Morocco, For Princess of Morocco
Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, VA
Bennett College for Women, Greensboro, NC
College of St Scholastica, Duluth MN
George Washington University, DC
Zanzibar at the Waterfront, DC
Bowie International Festival, MD
The National Geographic, DC
Wheaton World Festival, MD
She has been featured on MHZ-TV, WHUR 96.3 FM, WETA 90.9FM, Voice of America, CBS TV/WUSA9 TV, XM Satellite Radio, Harold Channer TV and many more. She has also performed in the following places to name a few:
Anna Mwalagho is not only a performing artist but also a social activist and a philanthropist. She supports a children center in Kenya, called (Upendo Rehabilitation Center) for children in impoverished community where the center educates and feed the children who range from kindergarten level to middle on a day to day basis.
Anna Mwalagho earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Catholic University of Eastern Africa. With her company Mwalagho Productions, Anna takes her one woman show and band to scholastic institutions, organizations, civic groups, festivals and specials events, with an aim of educating, entertaining and uniting humanity.
She was appointed Ambassador for peace by the Inter-Religious and International Federation for Peace, She received an award for her work as a Kenyan in the Diaspora, by the Jamhuriwood Awards,nominated for the Spirit of Diaspora Extravaganza-Next Generation Award and received “The Justice and peace poet award” by the African Legends Nite award ceremony for her invoking and inspiring poetry. In 2013 she was honored by the Montgomery county of Maryland and received “The Cultural Empowerment Award”
In 2006, she celebrated the successful launch of her debut CD UKWELI which means “The Truth”, in her native language Kiswahili, and in 2011 she celebrated the release of her second album HAKI meaning justice in her native language Kiswahili. These two CDs attest to her beliefs of justice, human rights, equality, children rights, poverty eradication and PanAfricanism.
To view excerpts of Anna and her work, visit www.annamwalagho.com, www.youtube.com/Annamwalagho, www.sonicbids.com/annamwalagho1 www.cdbaby.com/artist/annamwalagho.
Her philosophy is: Dance. Sing, laugh and truly love, as this is the joy of life.
Band Members
Links
