Kofi B. and Friends will kick off Valentine’s Day weekend at the Knight Stage at the Akron Civic Theatre Friday with a concert of R&B music plus originals by Akron-born pianist Kofi Boakye.
He’ll also feature mashups of popular songs with his original songs that he’s made popular on social media.
“It’s always that element of surprise that I think I’m really excited to bring to a live stage this year, so it’s exciting,” Boakye said by phone Tuesday.
The busy Boakye, 24, had his last stop on his Just Play It Tour in Atlanta Thursday. Upcoming cities will be Washington, D.C., Chicago and Los Angeles.
His Akron concert at the 200-seat Knight Stage, featuring his six-man band, costs $40 each. For tickets, see akroncivic.com or call 330-253-2488.
In 2022, Boakye won the 88th Season of the Apollo Theater’s “Amateur Night At The Apollo” competition, going home with a $20,000 prize. With the win, he joined the ranks with previous winners Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, H.E.R. and James Brown.