Indigo Bar Features the Footsouljahs in Benefit show for Palestine

A Victoria University group, Students for Justice in Palestine, is sponsoring a star-studded event at Indigo Bar on Saturday, October 12. The event- Aotearoa Jams for Palestinian Freedom- features a performance by top New Zealand hip-hop group the Footsouljahs. Other performers include Captain Imon Starr and Olmecha the Relic, Rainbow Country, Nemo, DJ Alphabethead, and DJ Kerb. Doors will open at 9:00 pm and music is expected to continue well into the morning. Students for Justice in Palestine is asking for a contribution of $10 at the door. All proceeds from the show will be sent to The Palestinian Centre for Rapprochement between Peoples in Palestine.

The Palestinian Centre for Rapprochement between Peoples is a community organisation based in Beit Sahour, a town in the occupied West Bank. The Centre organises non-violent resistance to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. Much of their work is done in coordination with teams of non-violent activists working with the International Solidarity Movement. Other programs include dialogue meetings between Palestinians and Israelis along with community youth work.

Students for Justice in Palestine have been organising this year to raise awareness of the situation in Palestine and Israel. Jacob Pace, an organiser for the group, hopes this event will help to get more people interested in what is happening in the Middle East. “I think an event like this has great potential to bring all kinds of people together in the interest of freedom and justice,” Pace says. “Any help we can give the Palestinian people- whether in money or simply solidarity- can go a long way in the oppressive environment of the Israeli occupied West Bank.”

“We are stoked to be working with such great musicians,” Pace continues. “Even half-way around the world we can recognize the common goal of overcoming colonization and oppression in all its forms. I don’t think people can help but respond to that kind of commitment and solidarity.”

It has been some time since the Footsouljahs last dropped their heavy beats and conscious rhymes in Wellington. The group is influenced by old-school hip-hop but tap into their island heritage to bring fresh styles. With politically potent lyrics and underground sounds the Footsouljahs are one of the nation's most politically conscious and talented hip-hop crews. Fresh from headlining the Aotearoa hip-hop summit in Auckland last weekend, the group should pack Indigo on Saturday.

The rest of the line-up is just as attractive. Recently returning from touring overseas, Imon Starr (of Rhombus) takes to the stage with skanking beats and danceable rhythms. DJ Alphabethead placed highly in an international DJ competition in London last month, and Rainbow Country, Nemo, and DJ Kerb will respectively bring reggae, rock, and hip-hop flavours to the mix. Bridging gaps musically as well as politically, the performers promise a great night of entertainment. It will certianly be going off at Indigo on Saturday.

What: Aotearoa Jams for Palestinian Freedom When: Saturday, October 12, 9:00 pm-late Where: Indigo Bar, Cuba St.

Palestinian Centre for Rapprochement between People: www.rapprochement.org

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