Rooster's Wife Closes Season with Two Shows The Rooster' Wife brings the spring and summer season to a close with a pair of shows that will inspire the crowd to celebrate and dance. On Saturday, July 28, Diali Cissokho and Kaira Ba come to the Sandhills for what promises to be an extraordinary evening of community music. On Sunday, July 29, the party continues with local favorites the Sand Band, tuning up to complete the run with a birthday bash, complete with pie and presents for the Poplar Knight Spot. In Mande society the griot, or jell, served as a historian, adviser, praise singer and storyteller. These musicians served as walking libraries, preserving and sharing the stories and traditions of their culture through song. This inherited tradition, with its deep connections to spiritual, social and political powers, has been passed down through generations since the 14th century. Diali's mother, MoussuKeba Diebate, and his father, Ibrahima Cissokho, both hailed from long and celebrated lines of griots. Historically, each village had their own griot who told tales of births, deaths, marriages, bat¬ tles, hunts, affairs and other important events and celebrations. Kaira Ba is composed of Senegalese griot musician Diali Keba Cissokho, with North Carolinians John Westmoreland, Jonathan Henderson, Austin McCall and Will Ridenour. The band formed after Diali moved to North Carolina and began to look for musicians who shared his love and passion of creating music based on Manding tradition, but flavored with local and personal styles. The outcome of this collaboration is an infectious sound reminiscent of West African dance bands full of unison melody, adventurous improvisation, fiery solos and polyrhythmic frameworks. With lyrics in Manding, Wolof and English, Kaira Ba illuminates its listeners with stories of ancient and modern West Africa and how they relate to today's universal experiences and emotions felt by everyone, regardless of origin. Influences include Toumani Diabate, Bassekou Kouyate, Toubab Krewe, Oumou Sangare and Ali Farka Toure. Kaira Ba invokes the participation of the audience in the creation of captivating musical moments that often incite spontaneous dancing by the performers and audiences alike, helping to create a peaceful and loving community. The Rooster's Wife is a community arts organization dedicated to bringing the best in live music to the Sandhills. Home base is the gallery room of Poplar Knight Spot, 114 Knight St. in downtown Aberdeen, two blocks east of U.S. 1 at the Rent-a-Wreck sign. The First Thursday of each month finds the Rooster's Wife in downtown Fayetteville, at the Cameo Arthouse Theater, 225 Hay St. Medical outreach and school programs occur regularly offsite. Frequently, musicians are available for private instruction and workshops. Children are welcome. No BYOB, please. Tickets for the Friday show are $20 to members. Sunday with the Sand Band is $15 for members. Annual memberships may be purchased at the door or online. Visit https://ticket.mesandhills.com/events/diali-cissokho-kaira-ba For more information, the complete schedule or to purchase tickets, visit theroosterswife.org or call (910) 944-7502. Diali Cissokho and Kaira Ba