Music News - WOMAD delivers 3 days of brilliance
16 March 2009 - 0 Comments
Taranaki’s WOMAD 09 Festival is officially a wrap, yet there will still be many hearts racing and feet tapping long after the lights have gone down on these brilliant past three days (March 13-15 2009). Good vibes are hard to shake.
The Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl Of Brooklands, cited as one of the world’s most beautiful venues, glowed under the glorious sunshine with spectacular views of the mountain. Surrounded by lush greenery and some of the finest music the world has to offer, a happy crowd enjoyed one of the most artistically diverse WOMADs in years.
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 was so much more to WOMAD 09 than that….
The unique WOMAD atmosphere offered 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 was a favourite with structured entertainment and a creative programme for young ones.
It was also one of the most successful WOMADs of recent years, with people-counters clicking in at over 35,000 entries through the gates over the 3 days. WOMAD organisers Taranaki Arts Festival Trust (TAFT) credit this with the all-encompassing experience they’ve worked so hard to create.
TAFT Chief Executive and WOMAD Event Director Suzanne Porter says “It’s been a wonderfully busy weekend, with vivid uniqueness at all corners of the site. We’re very proud of the mix of top quality entertainment, an environment that fosters discovery, an amazing food experience and a very clean and environmentally responsible site. Feedback tells us that these aspects are highly valued by our festival-goers.”
Celebrations started on Friday afternoon with an official local Maori welcome, anchoring the array of world music to our own local shores. Musically, the festival was opened by Kiwi Hinemoana Baker, and Seckou Keita Quartet who rocked the stage with unbelievable frenetic mastery of the kora, using the harp of southern Senegal to create sounds completely their own.
Over the weekend varying intensities of rhythm captured the crowd, some booty shaking and gyrating in the shimmer of late-summer sun, others nodding reflectively as the mood changed out with each artist to take the stage. That is, each of the six stages, seven if you count the Taste The World Stage.
WOMAD Artist director Roger King says “this year delivered everything we could have hoped for and more from our artists who clearly revelled in the beautiful surroundings and warm NZ welcome. From the calming chanting of the Gyuto Monks to the sensational improv free-for-all All Star Gala led by UK guitar master Justin Adams, it was the succession of inspiring performances over the 3 days that made this one of the best WOMAD’s ever”.
Over for another year, WOMAD 09 has left little impact on the environment, but the impact of this unique Festival, celebrating the diversity and connectivity that music from all over the world brings, will be immeasurable for those lucky enough to have been there.
Thanks to www.womad.co.nz for this story.
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