Samuel & Patricia Congello proudly present Ranky Tanky at the North Iowa Community Auditorium on the NIACC campus at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 3rd, 2021. This presentation is part of the 2021-2022 Performing Arts and Leadership Series.

Ranky Tanky (a Gullah phrase for “get funky”) are five lifelong friends from Charleston, South Carolina who have established themselves as passionate global ambassadors for their local culture and community, helping to faithfully preserve the traditions originated by African Americans in the coastal South during slavery that are kept alive through the present day.

The Gullah lyrics and melodies that Ranky Tanky uses range from traditional spirituals and playful game shouts, to dance music and delicate lullabies. They take audiences on a musical journey that will have you tapping your feet and bobbing your head one song, and then move you with soaring vocals the next.

They have achieved many firsts for South Carolina’s West African-rooted Gullah community since their formation, earning yet another milestone at the 2019 GRAMMY Awards by taking home the Best Regional Roots Album prize for their sophomore release, Good Time. The album, which also hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart, combines songs carried down through generations in the Sea Islands of the Southeastern United States with the band’s own original compositions in the Gullah tradition. In Ranky Tanky’s hands, this style of music has been described as “soulful honey to the ears” (NPR).

The band have been featured on NPR’s Fresh Air, The Today Show, PBS Newshour, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert #playathome. Ranky Tanky were honored to be featured artists in President Biden’s inauguration event, We The People. They were the subjects of a 10-page profile in Oxford American’s South Carolina Music Issue and were named 2020 Artist of The Year by the Charleston City Paper.

The safety of our patrons, performers, and staff is our top priority. Due to high levels of transmission in Cerro Gordo County and surrounding areas and at the request of our artists, all guests (over the age of three), staff, and volunteers are required to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. Other mitigation efforts may also be in effect. Please visit www.niacc.edu/pals or call the Box Office to stay appraised of our most recent policies.

To learn more about the show, visit www.rankytanky.com or watch a video at www.niacc.edu/palvideos.

For tickets to the show, call the NIACC Box Office at 1-888-466-4222, extension 4188. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.niacc.edu/boxoffice.

The Broadway sponsor for the 2021-2022 Performing Arts and Leadership Series is Drs. Beck, Bhangoo, and Ondoma: Neurosurgery of North Iowa, P.C.

Platinum sponsors include Samuel & Patricia Congello, Mason City Clinic, Elizabeth Muse Norris Charitable Fund, Lee Foundation, Globe Gazette, MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center, and Principal Financial Group.

Gold sponsors include First Citizens Bank, First State Bank of Belmond, The G. G. George Family, Henkel Construction Company, MBT Bank & The Hanson Family Foundation, Northwoods State Bank, North Iowa Eye Clinic P.C., Stratford Foundation, Sukup Manufacturing Co., Holiday Inn Express, KGLO, KIMT, KLKK-FM 103.7, and Country Inn & Suites.

North Iowa Area Community College, founded in 1918, is a nationally-recognized, two-year college located in central North Iowa.  With approximately 3,000 career and transfer students, the College has been recognized by the Aspen Institute as a leading community college in the nation.  NIACC welcomes students from across Iowa, Minnesota, the nation, and the world. The College has served as a leader in student-centered learning, community engagement, and collaborative leadership for more than 100 years. Choose NIACC First.

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