You will have to pardon the delay of today's post. Like the scores of attendees who packed the Egyptian Theater Courtyard for the All Roads Live Event, I was caught in a mindblowing, whirlwind tour of the senses. A night of everlasting trance and dance. 
The evening began simply enough, with a search for love. The Hardest of These is Love directed by Suvi West, set a forth a crescendo of emotions that would reach a fever's pitch by the night's end. 
Since its opening, attendees were moved by the All Roads Photography exhibitions. While members of the general public caught the premieres of Arctic Sun and The Hardest of these is Love, the Egyptian Courtyard played host to a grand VIP reception where filmmakers, industry players and LA scenesters caught a taste National Geographic style revelry. Exotic sounds of global mixes oozed from the sound speakers as everyone mingled with growing anticipation for evening's live performances.
At precisely 9:15 P.M., critically acclaimed spoken word artist Saul Williams (Slam) captivated everyone with an emotionally charged monologue. This was followed by a spirited performance by the Shaluza Boot Dancers (South Africa).
This spirit turned toward ambient trance as world-renowned classical indian instrumentalist Karsh Kale took the stage. Dreamy vocals weaved around the lush backdrop of Kale's blistering tablas and electronic soundscapes. 
Actress Shohreh Aghdashloo (X-Men: Last Stand, 24) soaked in the ambient sounds holding court with National Geographic Films president Adam Leipzig.
Just when you thought the night couldn't get any higher, Sudanese hip-hop artist Emmanuel Jal stepped to the stage for the first time on US soil. Alert: The US hip-hop scene WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!! Hip-hop derives its roots from the struggles of hardship from this country's urban battlefields. These battlefields are a relative Disney World compared with the ravaged war-torn lands of Emmanuel's hometown of Darfur, Sudan. Since leaving his country as a young adult, Jal has replaced his deadly weapons of war with lyrical and rhythmic artillery. With deft skill, his rap is both alarming and inspirational. While pulling no punches, he exposes the all-too-real-truths about Sudanese struggle and yet, he is still able to offer a beacon of hope for the future. 
It's an amazing phenomenon to see an unsuspecting audience go from stoic to rapturous in one set. Jal has the skills and charisma to "move the crowd."
Actor Leon (The Temptations, Like a Prayer) held court to the very end as Jal dazzled the LA audience. 
As was a common theme heard througout the night, this was not your typical night out in LA.
(All images courtesy of Becky Hale, National Geographic Society)
