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| Berkeley World Music Festival The 7th Annual Berkeley World Music Festival presents free continuous performances by some of the finest world music artists who call the Bay Area home, Noon to 9 PM, on Saturday, June 5th. It's a mix of intimate performances in Telegraph Avenue cafes and shops, near UC campus, as well as the featured concert in People's Park, 1:00 to 6:00 PM that's sponsored by Amoeba Music. Information booth with MAP/SCHEDULE can be picked up at the Event Information booth at Haste St & Telegraph. The Festival draws attention to the Bay Area region's vibrant world music scene. In People's Park, Zydeco Flames headlines with rising stars Khi Darag! and Sekhou Senegal. Zydeco Flames is recognized as the West Coast's premier Zydeco band, with one of the tightest rhythm sections in the business. Khi Darag! mixes Middle Eastern, Klezmer, Rock & Cambodian Pop in an riveting array of instrumentation and female vocals. The Kouyate Twins lead Seyhou Senegal in exhilarating African melodies and high-impact dance movements. The twins continue a long family line of "Griot" storytellers who share the oral history and arts of West Africa. Visitors are also treated to a dazzling world music tour at various Telegraph Avenue venues where featured lead performers are considered pioneers in their respective genres. World fusion icon Mathew Monfort of Ancient Future opens the Festival with Celtic-Raga. Monfort is highly regarded for his pivotal innovations on the scalloped fretboard guitar. Also appearing are: Hamudeen (Moroccan Folk Traditions) with legend Yassir Chadly; Tara with renowned Irish-Jazz lyricist Melanie O'Reilly; The Afrofunk Experience; Belly Dance Bazaar; Gamelan Gender Wayang (Balinese Chamber Music); Gramophone & Dynamo (Greek Rebetika-Ladino-Balkan Underworld) with Charming Hostess' founder Jewlia Eisenberg; Grupo Falso Baiano (Brazilian Choro); and street artist treasure, Michael Masley (Cymbolam Bowhammer); and for the Grand Finale Quijeremá presenting a stunning mix of original Latin American Folk music and jazz. Not to be missed is the After-Festival Party led by internationally acclaimed Markus James & and Wassonrai with special guests including Moroccan Gnawa Gimbri by Tim Fuson (Africa meets Mississippi Rifts). Show with $12 cover starts at 9:30 PM at Ashkenaz. A unique crafts bazaar on Haste Street and in People's Park (Noon- 6 pm) complements the local music Festival. Here local culture meets international culture with a mix of local artisans, world arts 'n crafts and community booths. With extraordinary world music, the crafts village and the concurrent Berkeley Poetry Festival, there's something for everyone. For event information visit www.berkeleyworldmusic.org or pick up a day-of-event schedule. Festival sponsors are Amoeba Music, Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center, City of Berkeley, East Bay Express, KPFA, Mother's Hen, Pagan Alliance, SF Bay Guardian, Telegraph Live, UC People's Park, UC Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive, Whole Foods Market, and Telegraph area businesses. write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Jazz News :: home page |