8 March at Melahuset

With a unique expression that is inspired by everything from West African music, such as Madinka and Wolof traditions from Gambia, to soul, hip hop, R&B, modern jazz and improvisations, Mariama Ndure has really made herself both visible and noticed on the Norwegian music scene. She grew up in Norway with Gambian parents and does not hide the fact that having a background in two different cultures has also influenced her artistic work. In October, she released her critically acclaimed debut album "Rituals", which was named one of the best releases of last year by Bergensavisen. With her at this concert she has two fantastic musicians: Per Olav Kobberstad on guitar and Xander Crook on percussion.

A concert with the Maria Orieta Band is a call to your dancing feet as well as your heart; the music ranges from cumbia and ska to heartbeat folk - and it always rocks! The band consists of Misett Johansen on drums, Taran Greni on bass, Liv Santos on keyboards and Maria Orieta herself on guitar and vocals. Their latest release is called "Jeg har hørt" and is a cumbia/reggaeton that is dedicated to everyone who fights for a free Palestine and who wants a better world.

If there's one Nordic underground name you want to catch a glimpse of before she completely takes off, it's Kristine Blir Rapper (KBR). After being booked for By:larm in 2023 without having released a single song, she has managed to live up to the hype and impresses with her energetic stage show and trans-Scandinavian rapping. Because suddenly rap lyrics in Norwegian, Danish and Swedish (in the same sentence) just make sense. Whether it's about "taking it easy", being la-la-lazy or explicitly getting everyone to come(!), Kristine Blir Rapper is "here now to give something to believe in". She has managed to play at, among others, Trænafestivalen, by:Larm, Vill Vill Vest, 100dagar, HUSET KBH and the iconic club Den Anden Side. In September, she released both the single "Unge Mødre" together with PAVNA and CELY and her debut album K.B.R and we can't wait to see her at Melahuset again.

Mina Rafiq is a feminist and human rights activist. She is the founder and leader of A.I.P (Against illiteracy and poverty), a board member of the Women's Group Ottar Oslo, a board member and leader of the Human Rights and Women's Committee in FARO and a member of the Representative Council of Oslo SV. Rafiq is an active and well-known voice for women's rights in Afghanistan and has carried out actions against the Taliban.

Ninthu Paramalingam (she/they) is Eelam Tamil, and lives in Oslo. Ninthu has been a guest editor at Samora Forum and is a trained social geographer, with a specialization in indigenous and gender perspectives. They have worked for many years with grassroots movements in Brazil, and here in Norway, with those fighting for the right to land, home, autonomy and liberation. In her art, Ninthu works interdisciplinary, with both poetry and text and visually, always with political impact.

Maria Theresa Jones is the project and activity manager at MiRA-Senteret and works with empowerment-oriented activities to strengthen and highlight the resources and potential of women and young girls. She is passionate about topics such as racism, discrimination, education, youth voices, equality and inclusion – and much more.

Jessica Yamile Buendía Sánchez is a Colombian woman who has lived in Norway for five years. She is very engaged in issues related to identity, social justice and decoloniality. She has led a project for the Colombian diaspora in Bergen and has also researched rural Colombian women's intersectional challenges and resilience. As a woman, she is also very aware of patriarchy, sexism, discrimination, gender inequality and class issues. She is currently the vice-chair of LAG Norway.

Tonight's speakers are Shilpi B. She usually works with guidance and safety, and is a dancer and instructor in Indian dance. Shilpi also coordinates the Grenseløst Oslo events at Melahuset .