The global fusion band Funkadesi will present a free concert blending African, Caribbean, and Indian music at Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, 1655 Foster St. Sponsored by a continuing collaboration by the Evanston In-School Music Association (EISMA) and the Evanston Public Library (EPL), the concert will be held on Sunday, April 22 at 4:30 p.m. This is a free, family-friendly event open to all.

With this public performance, EISMA, in partnership with the Library, is expanding its scope beyond in-school performances to engage parents, younger and older siblings, and seniors. This is an opportunity to bring families and the community together to experience what K-8th graders heard in their schools throughout March: the Funkadesi percussion ensemble blending West African and Afro-Caribbean grooves with Indian music: bhangra, Bollywood, and Indian folk music.

Funkadesi musicians merge their multi-ethnic backgrounds and skills to create one unifying sound and vision. Their one-world sound and positive vibe makes the band a unique and compelling musical force. 

"Fleetwood-Jourdain is one of the city's most active community centers, making it an ideal location for this concert. At EPL, we continue to push beyond our walls, to provide service and programming in a variety of places where residents naturally gather in their day-to-day lives," said Karen Danczak Lyons, Evanston Public Library Director.

Funkadesi proudly hails from Chicago, representing the diverse multiethnic communities within the city. What distinguishes Funkadesi as a group is each band member’s unique and uncompromised cultural/musical contribution merging to create one unifying sound and vision.

For more than 45 years, EISMA has been reaching the 8,000+ school children of Evanston twice a year, enhancing their appreciation of cultural diversity through exceptional live music performances. Concerts are held in each District 65 elementary and middle school and at Pope John XXIII and St. Athanasius.

 More information is available at EISMAconcerts.org.