VBGIGs (Virginia Beach Globally Inspired Gatherings)
Part of Virginia Beach’s Arts Plan 2030, VBGIGs encourages learning about neighbors near and far and sparks cultural curiosity through the performing arts. Children receive a VBGIGs passport and stickers to track the world regions they “visit” at each performance. Shows are planned now through April 2025 – all are free, but registration is required as space is limited.
Call (757) 385-2787 for more information.
February 28, 2025 7:00PM
VBGIGs: Ethio-Blue featuring Meklit Hadero
Feb 28, 2024, 7pm at Zeiders American Dream Theater
Meklit Hadero is an Ethiopian-American vocalist, songwriter, and composer, known for her electric stage presence, innovative sound and vibrant cultural activism. This exciting and exclusive performance in Hampton Roads will feature works from her latest album, released March 8, 2024: Ethio-Blue.
Meklit’s Ethio-Jazz performances have taken her to renowned stages across 4 continents. Her albums have topped world music charts across the US + Europe, received rave reviews, and been covered extensively by the press. Meklit has collaborated with renowned artists such as Kronos Quartet, Andrew Bird, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and the late creator of funk music, Pee Wee Ellis.
Meklit is a National Geographic Explorer, a TED Senior Fellow, and a former Artist-in-Residence at Harvard University, and former Chief of Program at the famous Yerba Buena Arts Center in Sand Francisco. She is the co-founder of the Nile Project, a featured voice in UN Women’s theme song and the winner of the 2021 globalFEST Artist Award. Her music has been featured by the New York Times, BBC, CNN, NPR, Washington Post, Vibe Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Boston Globe and many more.
Meklit is co-founder, co-producer and host of Movement, a podcast, radio series , live performance series and community building initiative uplifting the stories, songs and cultural power of immigrant musicians. The show airs monthly on PRX’s The World to an audience of 2.5 million listeners. Season 2 of Movement launches July 16, 2024, wherever you get your podcasts.
“There is a raw beauty about Ethiopian vocalist and songwriter Meklit. Her voracious musical appetite is always evident, and she manages to honor her heritage while remaining fiercely original.” - JAZZ TIMES
*Reserve your free spot before they run out:
Learn more about Meklit (rhymes with beat)