Dance the night away at the 2011 Elaine and Jerome Rosenfeld Concerts in the Courtyard series with two incredible African-inspired groups: Debo Band with Special Guests Fendika and NOMO.

Since 2006, Debo Band has been immersed in the unlikely confluence of traditional East African polyrhythms and pentatonic scales, classic American soul and funk music, and the instrumentation of Eastern European brass bands, which produced a unique form of dance music that Ethiopian audiences instantly recognize as the soundtrack of their youth.

* American and European audiences are also getting hip to the Ethiopian groove, largely through CD reissues of Ethiopian classics on the Ethiopiques series.
* With a unique instrumentation – including horns, strings, and accordion – that is a nod to the big bands of Haile Selassie’s time, Debo Band is carrying the torch of classic Ethiopian music by giving new life to these old sounds.
* They are joined by renowned Ethiopian musicians and dancers, Fendika.

NOMO has garnered much critical acclaim and ended up on top 10 lists from NPR, Gilles Peterson, and Global Rhythm.

* The band has performed at Bumbershoot, Pitchfork Festival, the Montreal Jazz Festival, SXSW, and WOMEX.
* Their sizable lineup hasn't kept them from sharing a stage with everyone from Earth Wind and Fire, to Konono No.1, to Sharon Jones, to Dan Deacon.

Be sure to also check out the Roxbury International Film Festival July 29-31!

The Calderwood Courtyard opens at 6 pm. Courtyard seating is limited; low lawn chairs and/or blankets are recommended. In the event of rain, concerts move indoors to the Remis Auditorium. Alcoholic beverages may be purchased in the Courtyard; state law prohibits the possession or consumption of alcohol purchased outside of the MFA. Please note that large bags, coolers, and tall chairs are not permitted. All bags are subject to inspection by Museum staff.

All tickets are general admission seating. General admission concert tickets can be upgraded for al fresco dining on the Bravo restaurant balcony for an additional $30 per person, which includes a $25 voucher for food/drink from the restaurant. To purchase this upgrade, or for additional information, visit any ticket desk or call 617-369-3395 starting at 2 pm the day of the concert.

Purchase Tickets Online: purchase using the link in the red box
By phone: 1.800.440.6975; Mon-Sat, 9am-9 pm; and Sun 9 am-6 pm.
In person: visit any MFA ticket desk; desks close 30 minutes before the Museum

Source: http://www.mfa.org/