World Music & Dance Festival 2010

Saturday, August 7, 5-8 pm
Camp Burton
Tickets: $10 (ages 21 and under), $13 VAA members/seniors, $15 general admission
Availalbe at Blue Heron, Books by the Way, Heron’s Nest, www.brownpapertickets.com
or call 206.463.5131
(Camp Burton is an alcohol-free venue)

World Music Festival Rocks the Rock

Vashon Allied Arts celebrates our region’s rich world music talent this August at the annual World Music and Dance Festival held in the ‘very Vashon’ rustic outdoor Camp Burton amphitheater. Join us for a relaxing afternoon/evening of music, food and fun, when this annual festival offers Islanders of all ages an opportunity to bask in late afternoon sun, munch on ripe blackberries and dance barefoot in the grass to live music in one of the Island’s favorite summer venues. Special thanks to Festival sponsors Vashon Park District and Vashon Thriftway. Camp Burton is an alcohol-free venue.

This year’s line-up includes Brazilian folkloric songs and dance from brand new group Samba Assim; the Afro/Peruvian sound of DE CajóN Project; and the infectious, joyful drumming and dancing of Message from Guinea. Delicious world-inspired wraps, salads, desserts and beverages will be served up by SheFidgets Catering. Adult festival-goers can also indulge in Henna body art, face painting will be available for kids and Giraffe will offer a beautiful selection of free-trade world goods for purchase.

Message from Guinea, a group of extraordinary Seattle-based West African artists, spread their powerful, authentic message of joy, unity and transformation by employing powerful rhythms, high energy dancing and melodic songs steeped in the cultural heritage of Guinea, West Africa. Simply put, Message From Guinea opens hearts and ignites passion.

This formidable group grew up living their musical tradition. Guinea is one of the few places in Africa where indigenous drumming and dance traditions are still woven into everyday life. From childhood each performer has danced competitively and received training from cultural luminaries such as Kemoko Sano. They have toured with Les Ballets Africans, Guinea’s national company. Performers include: Abdoulaye Sylla, master dancer and drummer; Karim Koumbassa, drummer, dancer, choreographer, director and instrument maker; Manimou Camara, drummer; Naby Camara, master balafon player; and Ousmane Sylla, dancer.

Message From Guinea beautifully fuses cultural tradition with modern sensibility. Through virtuosity and charisma, they invite the audience to join in the essence of Guinea’s heritage. “We get great pleasure from experiencing others connect with their joy as they are touched by the heartbeat of the drum and exuberance of the music. We love making everybody happy,” said one member. “Sometimes our music and dance are life-changing. People become inspired to delve more deeply into the culture, visit Africa and experience our traditions firsthand. They fall in love––in love with the music, in love with the dance, in love with the people, in love with the land. Sometimes they fall in love with the artists, marry them, change their lives and bring them home. And that is how the members of Message From Guinea came to live in the U.S.”

DE CajóN Project, led by Director and Peruvian national dance champion Monica Rojas, seeks to bridge local and global efforts to promote the cajón as a symbol of Peruvian identity and to recognize the contributions of the African-descent people in Peru. The cajón is a type of box drum played by slapping the front face (generally thin plywood) with the hands––it is the most widely used Afro-Peruvian musical instrument in the 20th century. Slaves of West and Central African origin in the Americas, specifically Peru, are considered to be the source of the cajón.

The five-person group brings Afro-Peruvian music to light with unparalleled energy and commitment. Players include: Amy Beegle, percussion, Assistant Professor of Music Education at PLU; Mark Oi, guitar, most recognized for his association with saxophone legend John Tchicai; Jabali Steward, vocals, percussion; Rafael Vargas, Peruvian guitarist and composer; Taryn Webber, percussion, vocals and music teacher.

Rojas, doctor of socio-cultural anthropology, has conducted extensive research on cultural traditions of Peru’s Afro-descendant population. She has contributed as choreographer, cultural consultant, dance and music instructor and guest artist in Peru for many groups including the Center of Music and Dance of the Catholic University of Peru. Regionally she has worked with the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, the UW Ethnomusicology Division and Fremont Arts Council and many others.

Samba Assim, comprised of all regional players, will begin the festival with an upbeat selection of traditional Brazilian Folkloric songs primarily of Northeastern Brazil. An all-percussion band, they perform a variety of Brazilian rhythms with traditional roots; each rhythm carries its own significance. Musical styles range from Rio-type Samba Batucada to Northeast rhythms of Afoxe, Maracatu, Baião and Samba Reggae. Many songs are based on the Folkloric tradition of call and response. With extensive knowledge of Brazilian music traditions, leader Jeff Busch also provides percussion for Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto, Sambatuque and Tumbao. Hand percussionist Vincent Gonzales originally hails from Los Angeles and is a frequent guest musician with many local Latin, Jazz and Brazilian bands. Denny Stern is conversant in a wide variety of musical rhythms and is percussionist with Abrace, Pello El Afrikan, Sambatuque and Freestyle Candela. “When this group plays, the crowd can’t sit still,” commented one of their fans of a recent performance.

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