VIDEOS: Soleil Soleil video Meklit Hadero
TV Interview of Meklit Hadero on PBS Arts Quick Hits
MEKLIT HADERO
Mesmerizing Ethiopian-American Vocalist (& TED Global Fellow)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18 / 8pm
“[Meklit] sings of fragility, hope and self-empowerment… [with a] sensuous, gentle sound. She is stunning.” – San Francisco Chronicle
ARLINGTON, VA—Blending traditional Ethiopian songs infused with jazz and an Afro-beat punch, vocalist Meklit Hadero has been featured widely on NPR, PBS and National Geographic. A “TED” Global Fellow, she is also the founder of the Arba Minch Collective of Ethiopian artists in Diaspora who collaborate with both traditional and contemporary artists in their homeland. The unique talents of the Ethiopian-born, U.S.-raised artist will be showcased when she returns to perform at Artisphere on Saturday, January 18 at 8 p.m.
“You may not have heard Meklit Hadero’s music before, but once you do, it’ll be tough to forget. Hadero’s sound is a unique blend of jazz, Ethiopia, the San Francisco art scene and visceral poetry; it paints pictures in your head as you listen.” - NPR’s Tell Me More
Meklit’s music influences range wide—from the jazz and soul favorites she grew up on; to the hip-hop and art-rock she loves; to folk traditions from the Americas and her forebears’ East African home. Emerging from her adopted hometown of San Francisco, Meklit erupted to national notice with the 2010 release of “On a Day Like this…” on Porto Franco Records. Hailed by Filter magazine for “[combining] New York jazz with West Coast folk and African flourishes, all bound together by Hadero’s beguiling voice,” her full-length debut brought Meklit’s music to a whole new audience. It also announced the arrival, as the San Francisco Chronicle has put it, of “an artistic giant in the early stages.”
The journey that brought Meklit to the Artisphere stage included many stops. Born in Ethiopia in the early 1980s, she grew up in Iowa, New York and Florida. After studying political science at Yale, she moved to San Francisco and became immersed in the city’s thriving arts scene.
Named a TED Global Fellow in 2009, Meklit has served as an artist-in-residence at New York University, the De Young Museum, and the Red Poppy Art House. Meklit has also completed musical commissions for the San Francisco Foundation and for theatrical productions staged by Brava! For Women in the Arts.
ABOUT ARTISPHERE
Artisphere connects artists and audiences through an eclectic mix of fresh, thought-provoking arts programming. We’re your spot for insight into the creative process and to engage in artistic adventures—from contemporary visual art, live music and theatre to new media, film and dance. Come explore, experience and engage—collide with art. Artisphere is located at 1101 Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia, two blocks from the Rosslyn Metro (blue/orange) and within walking distance of Georgetown. Admission to Artisphere and all its visual art galleries is free; there is a cost for ticketed events. Artisphere is pleased to offer its patrons free parking evenings after 5:00 p.m. and all day on weekends. For more information about Artisphere, visit www.artisphere.com.
Artisphere is managed by Arlington Economic Development and supported in part by the Rosslyn Business Improvement District, corporations, foundations and individuals.
Address/Contact
Artisphere 1101 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA 22209 Phone: (703) 875-1100 TTY: (703) 228-1855 Please note that Artisphere’s Spectrum Theatre is directly adjacent to Artisphere’s main building and is located at 1611 N. Kent Street.
Admission and Tickets
Admission to Artisphere and its galleries is always free; there is a cost for ticketed events. Tickets for all events, unless otherwise noted, are available for advance purchase online through tickets.artisphere.com. Tickets are also available for purchase through the Box Office Call Center at (888) 841-2787.
Hours*
Wednesday-Friday: 4:00 –11:00 p.m.
Saturday: Noon – 11:00 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Monday – Tuesday: Closed
*Open later pending programmed event
Online
Follow Artisphere on Facebook and Twitter. View Artisphere's YouTube page.
Free Parking
Free parking with validation on evenings (after 5pm) and all day on weekends. For events at Artisphere (1101 Wilson) use the N. Kent Street garage entrance; validate at Artisphere’s Front Desk. For events at Artisphere’s Spectrum Theatre (adjacent to Artisphere and located at 1611 N. Kent) use the Arlington Ridge Road garage entrance. No validation needed for Spectrum Theatre events.
Metro
Two blocks from Rosslyn Metro (blue/orange).
DC Circulator
The Dupont-Georgetown-Rosslyn line drops two blocks away.
Accessibility
Artisphere is wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices are available for seated events. Sign-language interpreters available; two weeks advance notice requested. The hearing impaired can learn about our upcoming programs by phone by dialing 711 (a national relay service) and requesting our calendar number (703) 875-1136. To access general information about Artisphere or to request a sign-language interpreter, request (703) 875-1100. The information will be provided by text.
