UNC Asheville's Concerts on the Quad Series Continues July 4;
Afropop Stars Yawo to Perform

UNC Asheville’s 23rd annual Concerts on the Quad summer music series continues at 7 p.m. Monday, July 4, when Yawo performs danceable West African tunes for this special Independence Day concert. Yawo incorporates Afropop, beat, funk and reggae for a blend called “refreshingly upbeat” by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Led by Yawo Attivor, a native of Togo, West Africa, this ethnically and culturally diverse band brings a new perspective to modern music. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will be held on UNC Asheville’s Quad.

Yawo’s music focuses on traditional African tribal beats and telling the story of political struggle in Togo. During a political strike in 1991, Attivor was arrested. Upon release, he left Togo, moved to Iowa and was eventually granted political asylum. Though Attivor is currently working through the U.S. citizenship application process, he is still deeply connected to the struggle in Togo, which shines forth through his music. Yawo band members admit that Midwest was an unlikely location to form an African band. But Yawo, which is now based in Minneapolis, has played sold-out concerts and festivals across middle America and is beginning to gain widespread critical acclaim.

Concerts on the Quad is fun for the entire family. The public is invited to bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs. Sorry, no pets allowed. With nearly 3,000 people attending each concert, lawn-chair seating will be separate from blanket seating in order to preserve sight lines; please look for signage when arriving on the Quad. Café a la Quad is unable to provide food and beverages for this concert, but will return for the July 11 concert.

In the event of rain, the concerts will be held in Lipinsky Auditorium. Patrons may bring their own supper to the rain location but eating is not permitted inside the auditorium. Location decisions will be made at 5 p.m. the day of the show. Call 828/232-5000 after 5:15 p.m. to hear a recorded announcement on line three about the location of that evening’s performance.

For more information about the series, call UNC Asheville’s Special Events Box Office at 828/232-5000 or visit the Concerts on the Quad Web site at www.unca.edu/summerquad/.

Media Contacts:

• Barbara Halton-Subkis, UNC Asheville Office of Cultural and Special Events Director,
  828/251-6674
• Jill Yarnall, UNC Asheville Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526