I can’t believe I almost missed out on this experience. I didn’t realize I had won the Afropop trip to NYC to see Fela! on Broadway until three days after it was announced. Apparently, I had passed over the first two emails assuming they were just reminders about the contest. However it was the third, and possibly final, email that I opened to discover that I had won. I couldn’t believe my luck, I emailed them back and called the number right away, hoping it wasn’t too late. I finally got in touch with them the next day.

I chose to take one of my dearest friends, Tiffany Kendall. She was so excited and I knew she would totally appreciate the experience. I arrived Friday afternoon to my fabulous and spacious room at the Courtyard Times Square. The hotel was recently renovated and so the décor was ultra modern, with all the amenities; flat screen TV, wireless, and a huge bed. My wonderful prize pack also included the tickets, a gift certificate to Serafina’s restaurant, a FELA playbill autographed by the entire cast, a framed FELA poster, the FELA CD and other memorabilia from the musical. The pack included the white face paint which I used to adorn my face with the “queen dots” worn by Fela’s dancers. I really got into it and everyone loved it!

We attended the 8pm show on Friday and we had excellent seats next to the stage. The first thing you notice as you enter the Eugene O’Neill theater is the elaborate and detailed set that encircles the audience; a replication of Fela’s famous Shrine in Lagos circa 1978. As the lights dimmed, we knew we were in for a treat with a packed house that included music exec, Clyde Davis.

With the first beat of the drum, as cast members enter from the audience; until the final set, the energy and rhythm of FELA is flawless.  If you have ever seen live clips of Fela performing, you will appreciate Sahr Ngaujah’s attention to detail in his portrayal of the creator of Afrobeat. The musicians and dancers were phenomenal and must be applauded for their stamina, skill, and beauty.

My favorite scene was when Fela is brought to visit his deceased mother in the spirit world. The entire scene was ingenious with the use of an animation screen, white paint, and black lighting. Even with the abundance of visual and auditory stimulation, the story of the brilliant and complex Fela resonates. His revolutionary songs are as powerful and relevant today as they were in the 70s and all the way up to his death in 1997,  and that is brought to life in several scenes. To say I enjoyed FELA is an understatement, it was truly magical.

After the show, we had a late dinner at Serafina’s which had the perfect atmosphere, delicious food, and wonderful service. We just wanted something light, so we dined on their large specialty pizza and wine. However, their Italian menu was extensive and had something for every palate.

On Saturday, I took advantage of the great weather and ventured around midtown and Times Square. I took the subway up to Harlem to meet friends for lunch at my favorite African restaurant, Salimata. That evening we headed to Brooklyn for the Brooklyn’s Museum’s First Saturday. There was a performance by Haitian singer, Emeline Michel, followed by a dance party. Our final stop for the night was at a club called Love, for more great music and dancing into the early morning. The End.

I just want to thank everyone with Afropop, FELA, and Serfina’s for this unforgettable experience.