Sauti Sol set for July 4 New Jersey event

PHILADELPHIA, PA.

Sauti Sol are scheduled to perform at one of the biggest gatherings of Kenyans in the US when they make an appearance at the annual 4th of July Kenyan Re-union, commonly known as Jersey 254 Street Bash.

The Jersey 254 Street Bash is an annual event held in New Jersey to celebrate Kenyan culture, history, music and traditions. The event attracts a large crowd of Kenyans living in the North East of the US.

Sauti Sol was in the US about three weeks ago staging a series of performances and return again in two weeks time to attend the BET awards set for June 28 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

From California, they will head straight to New Jersey where they are expected to make an appearance at the daytime Street Bash. They will perform on Saturday, July 4 at the Hot Spots Arena in Newark, New Jersey.

“We are excited to announce that Sauti Sol band will be our show stoppers this year during the 8th annual Kenyan summer Re-union in New Jersey. Many Kenyans living in this region complained when the group skipped the region during their recent visit because of time constraints,” said the organiser, Lloyd Osunga of Umoja Entertainment, adding, “All plans and arrangements have been finalised and we are now just waiting for the big day.”

'A MUST ATTEND'

Mr Osunga said he expects many Kenyans from New Jersey, New York, New England and especially Boston, Pennsylvania and Delaware to attend.

“In the US, many people from all corners of the world find their common heritage, nationality and other points of association to reunite through community based barbecues, parades, fetes, fairs, bazaars and other jovial forms of gathering. This is what has defined the Kenyan community in the North East and made the annual event a must attend for many,” he said.

Apart from Sauti Sol, Mr Osunga said he has lined up high-ranking Kenyan Disk Jockeys (DJs) at different top-notch venues to make sure Kenyans have a good experience.

“We have something for everyone. For the nighttime lovers, we start the shows on Thursday July 2 at Club End Zone, a premier nightspot in the heart of New Jersey. On Friday, our annual barbecue will see new faces as well as old ones, but the grill, at the new location at Rahway River Park, with all its meaty delicacies will, as always, be a huge attraction over the reunion weekend.”

Mr Osunga said the main event on July 4, taking place from noon till sunset, would take over 162 Miller Street New Jersey.

“There will be many vendors catering to patrons with Kenyan food, art, crafts, clothing and many other things which have become key to the success of this event from year to year.”