The Africa Center Cultivates Key Donors with “The Lagos Lounge”

On April 23rd, 2014, The Africa Center invited an intimate group of VVIP supporters to experience the “Lagos Lounge” — a very special evening of African culture, music and food, presented to cultivate major donors for their capital campaign to complete the Africa Center on Fifth Avenue in Harlem.

The small group of guests arrived at the most unique of settings and one of New York’s best-kept secrets: a private, 100-year-old Vaudeville Theater and hidden architectural gem on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Unbeknownst to passersby, the Theater is only accessible through a small residential building’s common laundry room. Guests entered the building completely unaware that the unremarkable street entrance would lead them into an eye-opening concert hall.

After lying forgotten as a mannequin storage attic for decades, the cavernous space was lovingly restored by an Academy Award-nominated composer into a world-class recording studio. Today the soaring ceilings and wooden stage are adorned with vintage musical instruments, a cast iron & glass goldfish tank and architectural lighting that create a warm yet haunting environment. Due to the room’s impressive ambiance, candles and old music were all that were needed to set the mood of the evening.

Africa Center Board Vice Chair Chelsea Clinton opened the evening with welcome remarks addressing the important role that The Africa Center will play in the coming years as Africa continues to grow in wealth, influence and cultural significance. Clinton then invited guests to become part of the founding membership program.

Hadeel Ibrahim, the Africa Center Board co-chair, also spoke about the promise of the Africa Center before introducing Tanzania-born British architect David Adjaye who in turn introduced the evening’s first musical artist - East African singer/ songwriter SOMI. SOMI awed the audience with her powerful voice and evocative songs, reminiscent of the music of Sade and Nina Simone.

With just a quick intermission to change the stage over and to refill drinks, Fab 5 Freddy, the long-time host of “YO! MTV Raps” introduced the next and final performer for the evening – Morocco’s Hassan Hakmoun. Hakmoun and his 5-piece group had the audience, which included notable figures like Tom Freston, Jean Pigozzi, Susan Sarandon and Carrie Lowell, on their feet.

Empire helped secure the impossible-to-rent space, brought in Creative Edge to cater and provided both production and design for this event. We were thrilled to curate this evening of international talent and African flavors to facilitate awareness of the Africa Center.