The Cedar Presents
Festive Beats of Afrika
Friday, November 20, 2026
Doors 7PM | Show 8PM
Standing | All Ages
ABOUT THIS SHOW
“Festive Beats of Afrika” is a 120-minute live concert at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis that celebrates Africa’s vibrant rhythms, unity, and cultural brilliance through music, dance, and storytelling. The show features Carolyne Naomi performing Afrobeat and holiday fusion songs, Diatoti delivering energetic Congolese music, and Korma and the Afrocontigbo Team, a dynamic dance group blending traditional and contemporary African styles. Backed by a full live band, the concert unfolds in three acts—from the rhythmic roots of the drum to the colorful expressions of regional sounds, culminating in a modern celebration… dance, dance, dance!
Carolyne Naomi
Based in the Twin Cities, Carolyne Naomi has been performing her unique blend of Afrobeats music, with influences from soul and R&B, reggae, and gospel. Carolyne’s take on this modern afro-fusion reflects today's multicultural world and the everyday challenges as well as the potential that it holds.
Carolyne has continued to compose and perform music that reflects her experience as a first-generation immigrant.
With a story to tell that resonates with the current generation, she weaves her life experience into her songs as she reflects her surroundings with both her struggles and successes.
Carolyne has performed extensively throughout communities in Minnesota including the Cedar Cultural Center, Bayfront Reggae and World Music Festival (Duluth), Icehouse Minneapolis, Dakota Jazz Club and opened for Nigerian sensations Burna Boy and Wizkid at the Skyway Theater. Additionally, Carolyne has been featured on TPT (Ch 2) and Kare 11.
Diatoti
Diatoti is a Congolese-American singer, songwriter, and dancer who moved to Minnesota from her native Congo DRC at twelve. Her music is rooted in the rich African storytelling tradition and vocal improvisation.
Diatoti’s music blends Congolese rumba, R&B, and other contemporary sounds. With an EP and several singles under her belt, she has performed extensively across Minnesota and the US, including Bayfront Reggae, World Music Festival in Duluth, the Minnesota State Fair, African Cultural Festival, Gidifest and many corporate and private events.
AfroContigbo
Korma Aguh-Stuckmayer is a Nigerian-born dance artist, educator, and cultural leader based in Minnesota. She is the Founder and CEO of Afrocontigbo Dance & Wellness Company, a cultural movement dedicated to promoting African heritage, intergenerational wellness, and community empowerment through dance and storytelling.
Afrocontigbo, founded by Korma, is a Minnesota-based West African dance company dedicated to preserving and sharing both traditional and contemporary African dance forms, particularly from the founder's Igbo tribe of Nigeria. Their work blends movement, music, storytelling, and community engagement to uplift and celebrate African heritage within both diasporic and local communities.
They teach dance classes and perform throughout the Twin Cities. The music is invigorating, and the moves are joyful—get ready to join Afrocontigbo on the dance floor!