By Zack Frink

This month’s Afro Night will benefit the victims of the Aug. 4 mass shooting that killed nine people in Dayton’s Oregon District. The event will be this Saturday, Sept. 7, at 9 p.m. at Carmen’s Deli, 40 North Main St., Dayton.

Afro Night is held on the first Saturday of every month and is one of the largest Afrobeats and global culture events in Dayton. 

The cover charge for all patrons will go toward the Oregon District Tragedy Fund.

“We are very excited to have such a lineup of artists that have offered their time, voices and other talents to raise funds and bring people from different cultures together,” said organizer Anne Omulo Malo, better known as Empress DiMalo.

Attendees can expect live music as artists showcase their work. Several Afro-Caribbean food vendors will be available, including Just Jerks: Ena’s Jamacian Grill food truck. Local entertainers SeeFari, Fyahball, Vanae Smith and DJ Boni are set to perform.

The benefit hits home for Empress DiMalo as she remembers shooting victim Saeed Saleh.

“We have to do something to take a stand against violence knowing this affected one of our brothers from Eritrea,” she said. “This is the first step toward a long fight.”

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afro-night-benefit-concert-tickets-71334845443?aff=efbeventtix&fbclid=IwAR33M44F0F37wEWlH4ZWpchAzorSpw5AAz2M3qb0krejb10SRKaNGIHyuGU