On Sept. 8, Project 1808, a local Madison NGO for education empowerment in West Africa, is launching its inaugural Pan-African Music Session at Picnic Point, featuring local Malian afro-funk star Tani Diakite.

The Music Session will be “the first in a series of monthly events throughout Madison celebrating the music, food, and culture of Africa and the diaspora,” as explained on Project 1808’s website.

The event will be hosted at Picnic Point, Fire Circle 6 (the large fire pit at the end of the walking trail) and begins at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free, with a $10 suggested donation. All profits go to Project 1808 and their continual work supporting education and youth empowerment in Kabala, Sierra Leone.

Originally from Mali, Tani moved to Madison over 13 years ago and has been performing around the state with his band, “Tani and the Afrofunkstars”, with captivating tunes from his kamale n’goni (West African equivalent to a Banjo)  and songs in his native tongue, Bambara.