ENTERTAINMENT
MUSIC SHOWCASE LINEUP
ALLIANA LILLI YANG
Alliana Lili Yang is a 14-year-old actor, dancer, and a classically trained vocalist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Alliana trains and performs with the San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and A.C.T. San Francisco. Over the years, she has been involved in community theatre, festivals, and numerous benefit concerts and solo performances across the Bay Area’s premier venues. Her crystalline soprano has been heard at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA last summer and in the Vatican during the Christmas Season. In April, Alliana returned to Carnegie Hall for the fourth time, this time, to debut as a Special Guest Soloist at the legendary Stern Auditorium. And last month she opened the APA Heritage Month Celebration in San Francisco with a National Anthem and performed at City Hall. Alliana is an international multi-award-winning vocalist, with close to 70 prizes and multiple invitations to perform in Rome, Vienna, Paris, and London. She's been featured on KRON 4, the SFCM website, and in the SHOWBIZ and Luxury Trending Magazines. This academic year, Alliana is the youngest college-curriculum student at The Juilliard School and the SFCM Summer Vocal Academy, as well as a member of The National Society of High School Scholars.
More information is available at https://www.allianaliliyang.com
ZE MANEL
Musician singer songwriter mulitinstrumentalist from Guiena Biassau
​​​​Zé Manel (José Manuel Fortes) – Singer & Multi-InstrumentalistZé Manel, born José Manuel Fortes on May 22, 1957, in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, is a renowned singer and multi-instrumentalist celebrated for his dynamic contributions to West African music.Ze Manel Fortes stands as a foundational figure in the cultural renaissance that swept Guinea-Bissau during the 1960s and 1970s—a time when music became a powerful force for unity and self-expression in the wake of independence from colonial rule. Born in Bissau, the nation’s capital, Ze Manel’s musical journey began early: at just six years old, he formed a band to entertain at boy scout camps, quickly progressing to perform at weddings, baptisms, and community celebrations. By age seven, he was already captivating audiences as a drummer and acoustic guitarist.Ze Manel is best known as a founding member of Super Mama Djombo, a legendary band named after a revered female spirit. Their music—marked by modern arrangements, electric guitars, brass, and lyrics in Kriol (a vibrant blend of African languages and Portuguese)—became the soundtrack of a nation’s struggle and triumph. Super Mama Djombo gave voice to the hopes and resilience of the people, ultimately rising to national prominence as the country celebrated its hard-won independence.Forged in the revolutionary years of Guinea-Bissau’s history, Ze Manel Fortes continues to inspire as a veteran musician, cultural ambassador, and pioneer of contemporary West African music.We are honored to welcome Zé Manel to the SF MODEFA 2025 stage as part of our celebration of International Ethnic Day and Juneteenth.Learn more about Zé Manel’s work on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGxmvDenG9E
FELY TCHACO
Multidisciplinary Artist, Vocalist, Singer-Songwriter Performer from Cote d'Ivoire
Fely Tchaco is an acclaimed multidisciplinary artist, singer-songwriter, and cultural ambassador from Côte d’Ivoire, now based in San Francisco. As the founder of African Arts Academy and creator of MODEFA SF, Fely is dedicated to celebrating and preserving African arts through music, dance, visual art, and fashion. Her soulful performances blend traditional West African rhythms with contemporary sounds, earning her international recognition, including Billboard nominations and the Independent Music Award for World Beat. Fely’s artistry and advocacy continue to bridge cultures and inspire audiences worldwide.
For more information, bisit: https://www.felymusic.com
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