ONE LEGENDARY BEAT KING, KIWI MUSIC ICONS, THREE DAYS & MORE THAN 200 REASONS TO GO

Womad Features Over 200 Performers From 18 Countries on 6 Stages and for the first time, the Sustainable Village

UPDATE: WOMAD DAY SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

WOMAD NZ is pleased to announce that the day schedule for the 3-day festival 13-15 March is now available.

With just over six-weeks until the festival, WOMAD organisers have been fielding frequent enquiries about which acts are scheduled for each day. Marketing & communications manager Lisa McMullan says: “There has been great anticipation about who is playing on which day. Now that the day schedule is out, people who can attend for one-day only can choose the day that’s most desirable to them”.

She says that whichever day people choose to attend the festival, they will also be plenty of activity away from the stage performances.

”WOMAD is not just a series of performances on the six stages – other activities at the festival include: workshops with artists; films under the stars; the Artists in Conversation programme; & the cooking demonstrations which are part of the Taste the World programme”.

Other WOMAD 09 schedules yet to be announced include information about which artists will cooking their favourite dishes, who will be delivering workshops and who will be taking part in the Artist in Conversation programme. These timetables are expected to be released in the near future.

Full details on the day schedule can found at www.womad.co.nz

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New Zealand’s pre-eminent celebration of music, arts & dance is set to be a sell-out success once again as organisers Taranaki Arts Festival Trust (TAFT) today announce the star-studded line up for WOMAD 2009, to take place at New Plymouth’s Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl 13-15th March 2009.

Widely proclaimed ‘King of Afrobeat’ Seun Kuti and his legendary big band Egypt 80 of Nigeria will fire up the stage, as will some of New Zealand’s biggest names including soul superstars Fat Freddy’s Drop, world-respected harmonica genius Brendan Power and icon of staunch New Zealand-ness Shona Laing.

The brilliantly eclectic bill for WOMAD 2009 includes unique splashes of quirk with the irresistible collision of Jamaican ska & Cuban mambo from Ska Cubano, Tibetan Gyuto Monks and The Mobile Sewing Company - a theatrical pair of seamstresses re-inventing spectators’ clothes, with the audience pedalling the power to their vintage machines!

TAFT Chief Executive Suzanne Porter says "WOMAD 2009 carries some of the biggest names we’ve had. With the confirmation of the line-up we’re offering some of the most interesting talent in the world, a very high standard."

She adds "On top of the great music, you can eat and shop your way around the world in the famously popular Global Village, enjoy the new Sustainable Village and let children get creative at Kidszone."

If the previous two WOMADs are anything to go by, WOMAD 2009 earlybird tickets will be expected to sell out within two weeks, so festival-goers are advised not to delay in purchasing their tickets to avoid the disappointment that many experienced when earlier WOMAD tickets have sold out.

WOMAD’s New Zealand Artistic Director Roger King says "WOMAD offers a unique environment to savour such a colourful array of music, arts and dance. I’m really very proud we’ve been able to once again achieve a programme of such great quality and diversity."

WOMAD New Zealand has become an annual event and in 2009 introduces a new concept, the Sustainable Village, which showcases sustainable practices and merchandise. This adds to the already hugely successful Global Village (international food, arts & craft) and Kidszone.

Andrew White

Andrew White - now residing in Nova Scotia, White has been wowing audiences across Europe and Canada with his incredible finger- style guitar playing of technical brilliance.

Anika Moa & band - one of NZ’s most gifted and popular artists, Moa’s heartbreakingly honest and soulful songs make her live performances immensely popular.

Brendan Power - acknowledged as one of the most creative & skilled harmonica players in the world, lending his talents to the recordings of Sting, Van Morrison, Paul Young & many more, WOMAD welcomes this outstanding Kiwi to the lineup.

Fat Freddy’s Drop - Fat Freddy’s have won an obscene number of Tuis (NZ Music Awards), awarded the People’s Choice award 2 years in a row. Debut album ‘Based On A True Story’ was #1 for 11 weeks (a record for a NZ album) & NZ’s highest selling album of 2006, now 8 x Platinum. Their highly anticipated second album is due for release late 2008. Live, Fat Freddy’s present a hybrid of dub/reggae, soul, funk, hip-hop and techno, marinated in jazz and served on Island Time.

Hinemoana Baker - published & celebrated poet, fiction writer, playwright and performer of song & spoken word, with a voice some have compared to Joan Baez and Cleo Laine. Those who love language - in particular Te Reo - and the impactful, no-waste language of poetry will love her performance. Winner APRA Silver Scroll Award (Maioha category, 2005) & NZ Music Awards finalist (2004).

Little Bushman

Little Bushman - four jazz school grads, influenced by Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix and The Who, with some seriously bent psychadelic sonic sounds, a 5-Star review in the Dominion Post and a magnificent live show.

Mihirangi - the sheer strength of her a capella vocal performance "absolutely blew us away" (Beat Magazine, 2006). Mihirangi takes soulful world roots to a new level, layering & looping her voice with ska chops, sensuous jazzy riffs & strong bass beat.

Moana and the Tribe - ancient yet timely messages, fusing taonga puoro, haka, chants with soul, reggae and classical, respectfully and gracefully blending the traditional with the contemporary. Moana draws on her identity as a Maori woman, with a background in traditional performing arts, to write songs that resonate with global audiences.

The Sami Sisters - with influences from country artists of yesteryear Dolly Parton and Patsy Cline to 50s girl bands, classic motown & 80s hit stars Kate Bush and The Smiths this Indian/Irish sibling trio from Onehunga come from a short yet illustrious history of sold-out shows and a hip young following.

Shona Laing - her songs have become part of the fabric of New Zealand’s growing up, an essential part of our sense of place. Her piercingly insightful music will be right at home on the WOMAD stage.

Arte Kanela (Australia / Spain) - the most dynamic force in Australian flamenco dance.

Bedouin Jerry Can Band (Egypt) - musicians, poets, storytellers and coffee grinders tell their tales from the Egyptian Sinai desert.

Dengue Fever (Cambodia / USA) - psychedelic Cambodian / LA pop.

Dona Rosa (Portugal) - blind world-travelled songstress discovered on the streets of Portugal.

Geoffrey Gurrumal (Australia) - formerly with band Yothu Yindi, the most revered voice in Aboriginal music.

The Gyuto Monks (Tibet / Australia) - The monks conduct tantric arts programmes around the world showcasing the intense colour, beauty & complexity of their endangered rituals & traditions.

Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara Trio (UK)

Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara Trio (UK) - With an encyclopaedic knowledge of Blues & African music, Adams has been referred to as ‘the Ry Cooder of the UK’ and with the Trio play an electrifying set. Adams is also the Musical Director of the All Stars Gala for WOMAD 2009.

Lo Cor De La Plana (France) - six male voices combine harmonies with boisterous percussion.

Mikidache (Mayotte, near Madagasgar / Paris) - one of the hottest new singer/guitarist talents from this tiny country, Mikidache has made a name for himself in Paris by holding tight to his roots, believing "Madagascan music is complete in terms of its harmonies and rhythms."

The Mobile Sewing Machine (Netherlands) - travelling ‘ateliers,’ audience members take off their clothes & allow the ladies to customise, decorate and revolutionise them, each vintage machine powered by bicycles pedalled by the audience!

Natacha Atlas (Egypt / UK) - chanteuse bridging Egyptian & Western R&B & pop styles with her soaring voice.

People In Your Neighbourhood - a British Council-led project, featuring a line up of musicians from diverse Kiwi communities and members of UK's acclaimed string collective Urban Soul Orchestra to create a dynamic collaboration of live electronic soul. Expect Korean rap, Maori toanga puoro, Fijian percussion, Nuiean soul, Chinese strings and more.

Rachel Unthank & The Winterset (UK) - one of the Britain’s newest shining lights in the folk scene.

Rokia Traore (Mali) - Arguably Africa’s most experimental singer-songwriter, her latest album collecting searing hot media reviews; 5 Stars, The Guardian; 4 Stars The Observer, The Times & Mojo.

Russ Jones - Future World Funk (UK) - DJ with a uniquely eclectic mash-up of cultural styles.

Sa Dingding (China) - the first Chinese artist to sing in Sanscrit, boldly combining traditional Chinese folk with Western electronica.

Seckou Keita SKQ (Senegal) - hailed as ‘the Hendrix of kora,’ the rocking repertoire of southern Senegal, its members bring their roots to the mix from Senegal, Italy, Egypt and The Gambia.

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 (Nigeria) - Fiery & frenetic Nigerian Seun Kuti (pron. "Shayoon Kooti") and his family has stood opposed to the murderous and corruptive regimes in Africa for generations and brings his uniquely resolute, defiant and historic music to the stage. Together with Egypt 80, the legendary big-band of his late father Fela, Kuti brings an explosive brew of Afrobeat for the 21st century to WOMAD 2009. Fans include Barack Obama, who notoriously helped the band gain visas to play in the US. http://www.myspace.com/seunkuti

Ska Cubano

Ska Cubano (Cuba / UK) - an irresistible, fanciful combination of Jamaican ska & Cuban mambo.

Speed Caravan (Algeria / France) - amping up the ancient fretless lute, making traditional Arabic music rock.

U Shrinivas (India) - using the electric mandolin to offer a dazzling blending of Western jazz and sophisticated classical Indian music.

 

 

GET YOUR SENSES READY IF YOU’RE HEADING TO WOMAD 09!

Organisers of New Zealand’s most flamboyant, lavish, food-heady music festival advise WOMAD 09 festival-goers to kick their senses into gear, saying WOMAD 2009 might be more bang for buck than people expect.

Taking place 13-15th March at one of the most beautiful venues in the world, New Plymouth’s Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl of Brooklands, WOMAD is well known for its vibrant and eclectic selections of music & dance performers on multiple stages. With over 200 performers from the four corners of the earth, six stages and an abundance of some of the world’s most talented artists, this is an experience in itself. But there’s so much more to WOMAD 09 than that….

The unique WOMAD atmosphere offers up a plethora of exotic tastes and sounds, curious sights, outdoor films, sumptuous live cooking demonstrations and workshops by performers, artists in conversation and tons of family-friendly fun. The self-contained Kidzone offers a structured entertainment and creative programme for young ones.

On top of all of this, WOMAD 09 has added a Sustainable Village where you can learn, sample and buy sustainable practices and products. This year WOMAD NZ continues its acclaimed 'Zero Waste' strategy and is a shining example of minimising waste at large events.

WOMAD is about discovery, allowing your senses to experience something new.

With so much happening, it’s likely to be a sensory overload for many! From discovering a totally unexpected artist or a style of music to tasting the fiery or soothing food from far-flung exotic lands, WOMAD-goers would be best advised to savour the atmosphere at its fullest.

What’s Happening at WOMAD 09:

On-Stage Performances: A full list of the performers follows, with details of the day schedules now available on www.womad.co.nz

Taste The World: Musicians and artistic guests are lining up to share their foods and recipes from home and will cook live on the Taste the World stage at WOMAD 2009. Each session produces enough food for 40-50 audience members to sample, with free recipe sheets. This year, Madagascan dry beef and salsas feature; also, semi-nomadic musicians Bedouin Jerry Can Band offer a fascinating insight into life in the Egyptian Sinai desert through music and interviews, storytelling and a traditional Bedouin coffee making ceremony in which the band’s resident coffee grinder Ayman Hassane will demonstrate how the band roast and serve their signature black coffee. More details of artists and schedules still to come on www.womad.co.nz.

Global Village: Already hugely successful, the Global Village is at the heart of the festival, made up of more than 80 stalls trading a vast range of international food, beverages, arts and crafts. WOMAD has made a strong commitment to sustainable livelihoods for farmers in developing countries by being the first festival in New Zealand to exclusively use Fairtrade certified coffee.

Sustainable Village: WOMAD 2009 introduces a new concept, the Sustainable Village, which showcases methods, products and companies that facilitate sustainable practices.

Kidzone: WOMAD is renowned for its family friendly atmosphere. The full Kidzone programme for 5-12 year-olds feeds creative minds within the wondrous Brooklands Zoo. The littlies can have their own fun in the under five zone.

Artists in Conversation: Artists share stories and history of their musical journey and lives in a relaxed environment unique to WOMAD. Details of artists and schedules will be available closer to the event at womad.co.nz.

Workshops with Artists: Take part in a workshop with many of WOMAD’s performers, explore your vocal range, dance to a different beat, try your hand at a visual art and be inspired by the artists you meet.

Films under the stars: When the sun goes down, WOMAD lights up. Films are to be confirmed, keep an eye on www.womad.co.nz for details.

Kunming Garden: Wander through this tranquil garden to visit with the Gyuto Monks. Each day, the monks will create a sand mandala of compassion in between meditation classes and ritualistic chanting. Chill out in the WOBAR and sup on champagne and platters while relaxing in lounge pods or under shady parasols.

History

WOMAD is an international festival created by Peter Gabriel 24 years ago. Since then 21 countries have hosted the festival and entertained millions of festival-goers.

AAA PASS NOT REQUIRED TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL AT WOMAD 09

Watching the sheer magic of an accomplished artist on stage - playing an instrument, singing, dancing - whichever art they’ve mastered, you may think how incredible it would be for them to personally teach you.  At any other festival setting, that would be but a pipe dream.  But at WOMAD 09 that’s exactly what you can expect!

Try your hand playing a Bedouin clay jar, join the masters of mambo, cha cha cha or the flamenco and experience the more local disciplines of taiaha (weaponry) or haka under the close eye of the artists themselves.  The Artist Workshops are designed to give you the opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime lesson with some of the performing artists and groups.

Getting up close and personal with the artists sets WOMAD apart from other festivals.  On top of these workshops, many of the artists will also join hosts on stage to chat about their music and their lives in the Artists in Conversation programme.

Hosted by music aficionado and reviewer Nick Bollinger (Listener, Radio NZ), the programme offers a unique opportunity to learn more about some of the artists at WOMAD as they share their history and musical journeys.

Illustrated by examples of their music, artists including Mikidache, Dengue Fever, Sa Dingding, Seun Kuti, Rokia Traore, Natacha Atlas, and Dona Rosa will share their background and inspirations and offer insight into some of the abundance of talent on show at WOMAD 2009.

The Artist Workshops give WOMAD-goers the opportunity to actually take part and participate in the making of music and dance alongside and under the instruction of the artists.  This really is a unique opportunity to gain a hands-on understanding of some of the music and dance of WOMAD.

PROGRAMME FOR ARTIST WORKSHOPS

Friday 13 March

Folk Revival, Rachel & Becky Unthank: 7 – 8pm, Dell Stage

Rachel and her sister Becky will talk about the current ‘folk revival’ in the UK, the history of the folk tunes they play, how they became interested in this style then play the songs ‘as they were’ and then play them in the ‘Unthank style’.

Mambo & Cha Cha Cha, Ska Cubano: 8 – 9pm, Chimney Stage

Born from a fanciful union of Jamaican ska with Cuban mambo music, members of Ska Cubano will show and teach various styles of dance, including Mambo, Chachacha, Casino and Conga using percussion, keyboard, tres guitar and double bass. Each style will be taught for 10-15mins whilst the band interprets the rhythm with an irresistible fusion of melody and wit.

Gambian Sounds, Juldeh Camara: 9 – 10pm, Dell Stage

From The Gambia, West Africa, singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and master of the nyanyeru (aka riti - one string violin) Juldeh Camara will teach the rhythms and pentatonic melodies of the Fula, relating them to traditional Gambian dance. Instrumentalists, singers and dancers are all welcome!

Saturday 14 March

Bedouin Rhythms & Dance, Bedouin Jerry Can Band: 12 – 1pm, Chimney Stage
The Bedouin Jerry Can Band invites participants to join band members in the centuries-old Bedouin tradition of utilising everyday objects to produce a cacophony of hypnotic desert grooves. Try your hand playing a Bedouin clay jug, brandish a Camel driving stick and learn some Arabian dance moves from these acclaimed semi-nomadic musicians from the Egyptian Sinai desert.

Taiaha & Haka, Te Waka Huia: 1 – 2pm, Gables Stage

Experience the disciplines of taiaha (traditional weaponry) & haka that play a big part in putting together a kapa haka performance. Te Waka Huia is recognised for their innovative choreography combined with their traditional knowledge. Come and learn how to use the taiaha & perform a haka.

New Traditions, Rokia Traore & Seckou Keita: 3– 4pm, Dell Stage

Meet two of West Africa’s most adventurous and talented artists and discover their approach to creating music.  Rokia Traore (Mali), who has been nominated for a Les Victoires de la Musique Award (the equivalent of a French ‘Grammy’) joins Seckou Keita (Senegal), both of whom are renowned for successfully taking traditional music into new territories.

Cardinal Points, Speed Caravan: 6– 7pm, Chimney Stage

North African music is at the crossroads of several cultures connected to different and distant origins.  Some members of Speed Caravan will demonstrate rhythms and modes in an explosive workshop displaying the wealth of Greek, Turkish and Arabic music as it relates to Asia Minor, India and the Far East, not to mention Africa and its uncountable influences.

Provencal Music, Lo Cor de la Plana: 7 – 8pm, Dell Stage

Veering away from traditional arrangements, Lo Cor de la Plana adds saucy contemporary freshness to the songs of Occitan culture. Band members will explain and demonstrate how they build a song (one voice, then a second, then the bass etc) and teach the audience a vocal and a Provencal folk dance, the farandole.

Sunday 15 March

Flamenco Flavour, Arte Kanela: 1 – 2pm, Dell Stage

The charismatic Tedesco brothers, Johnny Tedesco (director, choreographer and dancer) and Richard Tedesco (musical director and guitarist) are at the core of flamenco ensemble Arte Kanela, whose musical presence and versatility transcends both cultural and musical boundaries. They will be presenting a flamenco dance workshop for the wild at heart.

NZ Women’s Voices, Anika Moa, Hinemoana Baker, Mihirangi, Shona Laing, The Sami Sisters: 4 – 5pm, Chimney Stage

In this workshop a number of New Zealand's leading women artists talk about their voices - musical, physical and otherwise.  Join Hinemoana Baker as she talks with Anika Moa, Shona Laing, Madeleine Sami, Moana Maniapoto and Mihirangi. And we might even elicit a little singing too.See www.womad.co.nz for a full list of performing artists, activities and schedules.

PROGRAMME FOR ARTISTS IN CONVERSATION
 
Friday 13 March

Mikidache - 7-8pm, Pinetum Stage

Dengue Fever - 9-10pm, Pinetum Stage

Saturday 14 March

Sa DingDing - 3-4pm, Pinetum Stage

Seun Kuti - 5-6pm, Pinetum Stage

RokiaTraore – 7-8m, Pinetum Stage

Sunday 15 March

Natacha Atlas - 3-4pm, Pinetum Stage

Dona Rosa – 5-6pm, Pinetum Stage

WOMAD is an international festival created by Peter Gabriel 24 years ago. Since then 21 countries have hosted the festival and entertained millions of festival-goers.

WOMAD Earlybird three-day passes have sold out. Standard tickets are now available from Ticketek - www.ticketek.co.nz.

3 day pass - $209
3 day pass & camping - $259
3 day pass & Marae-style accommodation - $279
1 day tickets are also available.

The full line-up, detailed information and much more are available on the WOMAD website www.womad.co.nz