King Sunny Ade Cancels Performance at iFest 

KING SUNNY ADE CANCELS PERFORMANCE AT IFEST
Nigerian favorite cancels North American Tour due to tragic accident
 
HOUSTON – The 2010 Houston International Festival announced today that King Sunny Ade will not be performing this weekend due to the cancellation of the group’s North American tour as a result of a tragic car accident that claimed the life of two band members.  In a statement released by Ade’s management team, it states “It is with great sadness that we announce the cancellation of the entire 2010 North American tour for King Sunny Ade and his African Beats.  As some of you may have heard by this time, on March 26th 2010 a tragic car accident took the lives of two members of the African Beats, talking drummer Gabriel Ayanniyi and percussionist Omo Olope, who were en-route to a video shoot for a forthcoming recording.  At this time we feel the only responsible action is to cancel and withdraw from the remaining dates until such a time as King Sunny Ade and his group have sufficiently regrouped and are ready to face the rigors of an international tour again.”  The full statement can be read at www.ifest.org.
 
Organizers from the Houston International Festival have adjusted the Saturday entertainment line up on the Bud Light World Stage to include:  Emman LeGrand (who hails from the Congo) and the African Rythmix, billed as the best pan-African band in Houston followed by Taj Weekes and Adowa and La Excelencia.  As a tribute to King Sunny Ade, headliner George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic will play an extended set as a show of support and sympathy to the band and King Sunny Ade fans.  Check out the iFest web site at www.ifest.org for times. 
 
The 2010 Houston International Festival Spotlight on the Caribbean continues April 24-25 in the streets, plazas and parks of downtown Houston. Hours are Noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays, Noon to 8 p.m. Sundays.
 
General admission is $17 and can be purchased at www.ifest.org and at the Festival gate.  Kids are $3.  Target Kids Free Sundays allows kids 12 and under free admission to iFest. 
 
All proceeds benefit the Festival arts and education programs.  For more information on the 2010 Houston International Festival, call 713-654-8808 or access the Festival’s official website at www.ifest.org.