Sona Jobarteh

"All the makings of an international star." – Robin Denslowe, The Guardian Sona Jobarteh is the first female Kora virtuoso to come from a prestigious west African Griot family. Breaking away from tradition, she is a modern day pioneer in an ancient, male-dominated hereditary tradition that has been exclusively handed down from father to son for the past seven centuries. Reputed for her skill as an instrumentalist, distinctive voice, infectious melodies and her grace onstage, Sona has rapidly risen to international success following the release of her critically acclaimed album “Fasiya” (Heritage) in 2011.Sona has an effortless ability to blend musical styles and uses her innovative stance to talk about issues to do with cultural identity, gender, love, and respect whilst still adhering to and rooting herself firmly in her traditional cultural heritage. Sona represents her tradition in a way that is easily accessible to her audiences from around the world, who are drawn in by her captivating voice, strong rhythms and catchy melodies. In recent years Sona has quickly been rising to international success, headlining major festivals around the world in Brazil, India, South Korea, Ghana, Mexico, Tanzania, Cote D’Ivoire, Lithuania, Poland and Malaysia just to name a few. Sona and her music has the unique ability to touch audiences from all backgrounds and cultures. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Music begins at 7:00 PM. There will be two 45-60 minute sets with a short intermission. FAQs: -Can I reserve a seat? Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis; we do not generally reserve seats unless special accommodations are required. Please contact us at palms@palmsplayhouse.com if you need assistance with seating. -Are children allowed? Yes, we are an all-ages venue. It's up to the parents to decide if the content is appropriate for their children. -Are you ADA accessible? Yes, there is an elevator to the second floor, and the bathrooms are accessible. Please contact us ahead of time if you need seating accommodations. -What's your refund policy? Please contact us before the day of the show; in most cases, we will be able to provide a refund of the ticket price (fees are non-refundable). -Where can I park? Plan to arrive early to find the best parking; you should be able to find a space within four blocks of The Palms. You can either park on the street or in a nearby lot; all public parking in Winters is free. Photo/Video/Recording Policy Our policy is no photos or unauthorized video or audio recording during performances. Please put away your devices and enjoy the performance in real time. Additional information available on our website.