The public is invited to two free concerts coming up downtown at Kent Lutheran Church, 336 Second Ave. S.
Lasana Kanneh, better known by his stage name IJenNeh, will offer a vibrant fusion of African rhythms, reggae, pop and gospel at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31.
The comedy rock band Off Their Rockers will play classic rock from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and beyond at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21.
IJenNeh is a name meaning “Heaven” in the Mandingo dialect. Born blind in Liberia and later ostracized by his community, Kanneh’s journey is one of profound resilience, according to a Kent Lutheran press release. After being abandoned at a school for the blind in Monrovia, he found faith and survival through music, famously singing for food on war-ravaged streets as part of the “Echoes of the Blind” group while bullets flew overhead.
Since arriving in the United States, Kanneh has toured 46 states, performed at the Grand Ole Opry been featured on NPR and Voice of America. A two-time winner of the gospel competition at the Clackamas County (Oregon) Fair, IJenNeh is best known for his crowd favorite reggae rendition of “Blessed Assurance.”
“My goal is to bring people to a closer relationship with God through an unexpected and joyful experience,” Kanneh said. “From the ashes rises beauty, and that is the story I want to share.”
Attendees can expect an evening of soaring vocals, rhythmic African drumming and heartfelt storytelling. The event serves as a celebration of faith, hope, and the restoration Kanneh has found through his musical ministry.
When Off Their Rockers take the stage, the church is set to transform into a hub of laughter, rhythm and nostalgia, according to the press release.
The group brings a unique twist to beloved hits by pairing them with clever parody lyrics that audiences “adore or abhor” — often both at once. Their shows deliver a playful mix of musicianship and humor.
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