Cumbancha musicians take the stage in Middlebury, Feb. 21

Charlotte’s Cumbancha, a record label, booking agency, and music publisher founded by Jacob Edgar, has announced that two of their acts will be performing in Middlebury on Saturday, Feb. 21 and the Middlebury Town Hall in collaboration with Middlebury Underground Discussions (MUD) Talks. Doors open at 7pm, following there will be a Mud Talk at 7:30pm, and music will begin at 8pm.

This will be the second time these two groups, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars (SLRAS) and Joe and Sekou will perform together, coming off their Boston performance on Thursday, Feb. 19.

SLRAS have a remarkable story. Decades ago they were forced to flee their war torn home to refugee camps in neighboring Guinea. But they persevered through music. Ten years and four albums later, they’ve evolved to become one of Africa’s most recognized bands. Today, they tour the world’s biggest stages, recognized by legends like Paul McCartney and Angelina Jolie. They’ve played with Aerosmith and Bonnie Raitt, and even partied with Bob Marley’s mom, all thanks to their music.

Now, their world has been turned upside down again. They’re refugees once more, this time in Providence, R.I., while their home and family is being ravaged by Ebola. But once again, they will endure. This concert will help benefit the band, their families, and WeOwnTV, a non-profit working in Freetown Sierra Leone to educate the community about the epidemic.

The collaboration of Joe Driscoll of Syracuse, N.Y. and Sekou Kouyate of Guinea produces blended hip-hop, funk, and soulful, accessible rock with Afrobeat, reggae, and irresistible African grooves. Kouyate is sensational in his use of the kora, a 21 string lute bridge harp, while Driscoll draws on his experience as a rapper, beatboxer, and singer songwriter.

After the release of their acclaimed album Faya by Cumbancha Discovery and a successful tour last summer, Driscoll and Kouyate, backed by bassist John Railton and drummer James Breen, bring their electrifying collaboration to venues across the US and Canada through the end of May.

MUD Talks is a new event series featuring inspiring people doing extraordinary things, whether they are Vermont natives or simply have ties to the Green Mountain State. It’s a fresh, visionary forum that hands the microphone to local artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators. But this is no boring lecture series. It’s an interactive exchange between the community and professionals with a unique perspective on the most important issues of our day.

Tickets are $25 in advance and can be purchase for $30 at the door. To purchase, visit www.townhalltheater.org or call the box office at (802) 382-9222. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 12-5pm.