An official elephant journal-sponsored event!

Water of Life Benefit June 23 and 24.

Got the itch to move? Feel like contributing to world water issues? Water of Life brings attention to and celebrates the efforts of leaders and volunteers dedicated to securing safe, drinkable water, creating sustainable solutions for communities worldwide. Grab a ticket and groove with us to some all-star world music at the Ogden in Denver or the Boulder Theater in, of course, Boulder. Watch out, though—if you do the worm, we might just have to filter you out.

Here’s more from the organizers.

Tinariwen   &   Hamsa Lila
w/special guests: Jason Hann & Michael Kang (String Cheese Incident) & David Satori (Beats Antique)
DJs David Starfire (SF) & Jef Stott (6 Degrees, Hookadome/Burning Man)
June 23 – Denver, CO /Ogden Theater   (Hamsa Lila opening)
June 24 – Boulder, CO /Boulder Theater  (Tinariwen opening)
Tickets: $26 adv/$30 door / 2 day pass $45

Benefit for Women’s Earth Alliance, Rock the Earth, and Tourareg Water Fund

A two-night flurry of awe-inspiring performances and a powerful ceremony of intention and healing, with proceeds benefiting local and international environmental and human rights organizations.

This show will guarantee to unravel you to your center. With reverent and ritual beats, nomadic brushes with God and a good thumpin’ baseline where it is called for, it is not to be missed.

Tinariwen

For those unfamiliar with them, Tinariwen is a group of Touareg nomads from sub-Saharan West African who’ve created an infectious, raw, mystical sound, as chants and rebel songs lay over grungy blues guitars, bass, hand drums & percussion. These desert rockers started out as freedom-fighters displaced by wars and dictatorships, deaths and disasters—and became icons for a whole social movement. It is said that every Touareg from Tamanrasset to Timbuktu is a member of Tinariwen, so widely are their songs known and treasured.

Hamsa Lila

Often referred to as ‘pioneers in the world fusion genre’, Hamsa Lila broke new ground with their inspired blend of traditionally influenced world fusion dance music. Drawing primarily from the healing musics of North & West Africa, the group uses an onslaught of traditional instruments, including the bass-like lute called a ‘sintir,’ the ngoni—a large gourd harp, the gan-gan—a talking drum, shakuhachi flutes, kalimbas and an assortment of percussion gear. Ripping drum kit player Inkx Herman (Paul Simon, Sting, Habib Koite, Hugh Masekela) lays indelible grooves underneath male and female lead vocals that weave hypnotic harmonies amid various dub effects, electronics and patches. Headlining famous halls like The Filmore (SF) and The Crystal Ballroom (Portland), and playing an array of  popular music festivals, including Earthdance, Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, Shambhala (BC, Canada) and Harmony Music Festival, the band earned legendary status at Burning Man (2001 thru 2006) playing epic all-night shows in the Nevada white sand desert. After a recent performing hiatus, the band is now hand-picking mostly self- or co-produced, benefit-based events that are pointed at social change, environmental activism, human rights and indigenous tribal support, dedicating itself to only doing highly conscious events, raising awareness, and supporting powerful causes. This will be Hamsa Lila’s first appearance in Colorado since 2005.

Added talent includes A.P.O.S.T.L.E. (heavyweight dub champions) and DJ sets with David Starfire (6 Degrees) on Wednesday and Jef Stott (6 Degrees, Hookadome/Burning Man) on Thursday. Also performing with Hamsa Lila will be two special guests: percussionist Jason Hann and violinist Michael Kang (String Cheese Incident) on Wednesday, and mutli-instrumentalist David Satori (Beats Antique) on Thursday.