Mivule to finish the Vancouver Public Library’s Rooftop Rhythms series on an upbeat note on August 15
The eight-piece band blends reggae and Afrobeat, exploring singer Brian Baroda’s experiences as a South Sudanese refugee
Mivule performs as part of the Vancouver Public Library’s Rooftop Rhythms series at the VPL Central Branch on August 15 at 2 pm
QUIET IN THE LIBRARY, please!
That might be valid as a general principle, but there are exceptions to every rule. Case in point: Mivule will be performing at the Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch on August 15, bringing the summer series of Rooftop Rhythms concerts to a close.
In many ways, it’s an ideal venue for Mivule’s blend of reggae and Afrobeat. Traditionally, a library is a storehouse of knowledge, and Mivule singer Brian Baroda certainly has some knowledge of his own to spread. Rooted in his personal experiences as a South Sudanese refugee, his lyrics carry a message of justice, peace, and love.
Aptly, the eight-piece band takes its name from the mvule, also known as African teak, a tree important to a number of African cultures for its medicinal properties and its use in rituals associated with fertility and birth. According to the band’s website, East African villagers use the tree as a meeting place to resolve conflicts and discuss issues.
In an interview with Stir, VPL’s head of cultural programming, Jorge Amigo, gives due credit to music curator Ben Wylie for the success of the Rooftop Rhythms series, which takes place on the Central Branch’s eighth-floor terraces. Amigo also acknowledges that the sheer size of Mivule offers unique challenges.
“We’re excited about Mivule, because it’s the first time we’re hosting an eight-person band,” he says. “It’s going to be a big challenge, because we’ve never had that many people onstage, so that will be a fun thing to see.
“I think it’s also the most dance-y group we’ve hosted here.” Amigo continues. “These rooftop shows have tended to be a bit more mellow, and we’re gonna hopefully see a lot of people dancing. We booked them because we wanted to end the season with a bang.” 
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