The Seattle Traveler

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars to Perform at Triple Door

by Mary Jo on May 30th, 2007

What does Freedom sound like?

To the members of Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, it sounds like a combination of traditional West African music with a bit of reggae influence.

The members of the world music act all lived in or near Freeport (the capital city of Sierra Leone) before fleeing during the country’s civil war. Although Freetown had remained relatively sheltered from the rebellion, in the late 1990’s in turned into a bloody battlefield. Thousands of people fled the city. In Kalia Refugee Camp in Guinea, two of those refugees met up, and out of that meeting created a band that brought music to the stark life of the refugee camp.

Unfortunately, the refugee camp soon became a war zone, and band members were moved to another refugee camp. With a little help from a Canadian refugee aid organization, they acquired some instruments and equipment and expanded the band. The band was also the subject of a documentary, as they moved between refugee camps, eventually returning to their war-ravaged country. Many family members, friends, and former band mates did not survive the violence.

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars now tour the world, spreading a message of peace and love, appealing to fans from all musical backgrounds. Their debut album Living Like a Refugee (2006) is an loud protest against the horrors or war and the plight of refugee life.

The Triple Door presents Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars in two performances.

Location: Triple Door (216 Union Street), downtown.

Dates & Times: June 19th (Tuesday). Performances at 7 pm (all ages welcome) and 9:30 pm (21 and over only).

Tickets: $20 in advance (available online), $22 on day of performance.

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Tags: b5media, city blogs, destination blogs, food & beverage, Seattle, Seattle tourism, Seattle Traveler, Tacoma, The Seattle Traveler, travel, travel blogs, vacation, Washington, Washington State, music, Triple Door

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POSTED IN: Music, Nightlife