On this week’s What Where When-sday, we talk with AfricaNashville co-founder Windship Boyd about this week’s performance happening at The Blue Room on Friday. Boyd co-founded the organization with saxophonist Jeff Coffin. They aspire to train the upcoming generation of dancers & drummers within the Nashville community and help African music find its rightful place in Music City.

“I remember meeting a reggae group from Nigeria and they were struggling because it really wasn’t Music City for everybody,” Boyd said. “I feel like in the past years, thanks to the National Museum of African American Music, thanks to people knowing the truth about the instruments and where they come from, I wouldn’t say that there’s really an African music scene here yet, but we’re trying to create it and we’re trying to be on the forefront.”

“We perform all over the place for all sorts of different people of all different ages from schools to universities. It’s just got such a positive energy, so you leave energized. It’s new and yet it’s strangely familiar, because it’s the roots of American music. It’s impressive to see all these rhythms laid on top of each other. And yet, African-American music comes straight from African music. It’s part of our cultural heritage and it’s going to be a different version of something that we already know.”

This week in live music:

The annual Bonnaroo music and arts festival happens this weekend in Manchester. For those staying in town, live music opportunities begin tonight when WNXP Presents Geese at The Blue Room. 

On Friday, June 13, you can check out Soul of the 90s: An Ode to Hip-Hop & R&B at the National Museum of African American Music. On Saturday morning, June 14, the Tennessee State Museum hosts TN Writers & Stories: Charlie Peacock, “Roots and Rhythm: A Life in Music” in conversation with our very own Jason Moon Wilkins.

Also on Saturday afternoon, YEAH! Rock Camp Showcase is happening at The Blue Room and that night the Mix It Up: Free Multi-Genre Showcase is at the 5 Spot. On Sunday, June 15, 615 Day featuring former WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month Six One Tribe and BEAN take the stage at The Basement East.