Friday 16 June 2011 The kora is one of West Africa’s – and Mali’s especially – finest cultural exports. The instrument is at the heart of the region’s tradition of hereditary court musicians or praise singers, known as griots, whose knowledge has been passed down through dozens of generations by word of mouth. The history… [Read more…]
May 23, 2011 by Culture Capital
The leading world music magazine Songlines is turning promoter for a weekend in June (23 to 25) with a mini-festival entitled Encounters, at Kings Place. Editor in chief, Simon Broughton (also co-editor of the well respected Rough Guide to World Music), is curating the weekend to celebrate 75 editions of Songlines. The resulting programme presents… [Read more…]
May 8, 2011 by Catherine Marks
You have to be quite an actor to pull off traditional Fado convincingly. The inherited tunes have been passed from one generation to the next since Fado first took hold in Lisbon some 170 years ago. Since the notes are predetermined, the lyrics take on even more importance. Achieving this is an even harder task… [Read more…]
May 4, 2011 by Culture Capital
This image originally appeared on Londonist. It would be reasonable to expect the City of London Festival to have a quiet one in 2011 considering that next year is its fiftieth birthday. But the Square Mile’s arts festival, an annual reminder that there is life in the City beyond the drudgery of finance, has expanded… [Read more…]
May 1, 2011 by Catherine Marks
Singer, guitarist and percussionist Blick Bassy may be little known in the UK at the moment, but hopefully the release of his second solo album, Hongo Calling (available from May 10th on World Connection), will draw some much deserved attention to him. Originally from Cameroon and now living near Paris, Bassy embraces influences from all… [Read more…]
April 17, 2011 by Culture Capital
Tinariwen may be the western Sahara guitar band with the highest profile in the UK, but as can be regularly seen in London music venues, they represent the tip of the, er, sand dune. Group Doueh are at the Barbican on May 13 for example. Not yet confirmed for a London date, but with a… [Read more…]
April 3, 2011 by Catherine Marks
Mariza has come to be one of the most well-known and respected singers of Fado; the traditional Portuguese musical genre that relates stories of fate or destiny. This is a genre that hasn’t really been embraced in the UK, but in May she will be gracing the Queen Elizabeth Hall for a full three nights.… [Read more…]
March 14, 2011 by Culture Capital
This article was originally written for Londonist. 31 March to 2 April 2011 Kings Place, York Way Like many dances featured on TV talent shows, tango and samba are sure-fire bets on London’s stages. Sadler’s Wells Theatre has regularly promoted a show called Tango Fire for example. But events that look beyond the glitz and… [Read more…]
March 14, 2011 by Culture Capital
Culture Capital’s tips for live events in London this week. Jazz Loop Collective festival at the Forge (16-19 Mar) One of London’s creative jazz communities, the Loop Collective presents a four-night showcase at The Forge in Camden, a venue fast becoming a serious club for new music of all kinds. Classical Michel van der Aa’s… [Read more…]
March 8, 2011 by Catherine Marks
Today is the 100th International Women’s Day – celebrating the achievements of women across the world – and there are some fantastic bits and pieces going on in London as part of it. Here’s a taster of a couple of music events that should be great: International Women’s Day 100th Anniversary Concert, Cadogan Hall, Friday… [Read more…]
June 3, 2011 by Culture Capital
0