The Center for the Arts at George Mason University recently announced that multi-GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter, actress, and activist Angélique Kidjo will make her debut performance at George Mason University on March 2, 2025, in a special event as part of the 2024–25 Center for the Arts season.
Five-time GRAMMY Award winner Angélique Kidjo brings her powerhouse voice, electrifying stage presence, and joyous music to the Center for the Arts. Named one of 2021’s “Most Influential People” by TIME Magazine and one of the “Top 100 Most Inspiring Women in the World” by The Guardian, Kidjo is one of the greatest artistic forces in international music today with 16 albums to her name and an impressive lineup of awards and recognitions. Blending West African rhythms with jazz, pop, funk, R&B, Latin, and dance music, Kidjo’s visionary music tells the story of Africa’s past while looking ahead to the future. Her extraordinarily eclectic four-decade career has featured collaborations with Bono, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Branford Marsalis, Carlos Santana, Philip Glass, Dianne Reeves, and the Kronos Quartet. “Her music transcends mere danceability and instead possesses you with its rhythm, leaving you no choice but to move with the groove” (NPR).
Angélique also advocates on behalf of children as a UNICEF and OXFAM Ambassador. She created her own charitable foundation, Batonga, dedicated to support the education of young girls in Africa.
Kidjo notes, “I’ve made it my life’s work to support my fellow African sisters. . . I created Batonga so that every girl can envision and build a future in which she is safe, respected, valued, and fulfilled. I want every adolescent girl and young woman on my continent to know her worth, feel her power, and access opportunities that benefit her but also her community.”
Angélique Kidjo joins a thrilling lineup of celebrated and award-winning artists at the Center for the Arts this coming season, including Lea Salonga, Ballet Hispánico, Mark Morris Dance Group, Arturo Sandoval, Silkroad Ensemble, Branford Marsalis, Versa-Style Street Dance Company, Czech National Philharmonic, Les Arts Florissants, Virginia Opera, and more! For complete 2024–25 season information, visit the Center for the Arts’ website.
The Center for the Arts thanks its 2024-25 season sponsors and grantmaking organizations: The Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund, The Tom and Evelyn Kiley Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, Sandy Spring Bank, Woodleigh Chase.