Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Sarawak's Rainforest World Music Festival 2006 - Back to the Rainforest


THE ninth edition of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) may still be just under four months away, but the early bird catches the worm, as they say.

The annual gathering of musicians from the far corners of the Earth in Sarawak will once again be held at where it all began at the Sarawak Cultural Village at Santubong, a 40-minute drive from the state capital of Kuching.

An early teaser from the organisers sees more eclectic offerings from the five continents.

Roots music, ethnic music, world music from the ancient to the modern has always been the mainstay and the attraction to this now seminal and increasing globally popular event in the World Music festivals calendar.

As for the music spectrum, think frenetic part gypsy, part Klezmer music from France or mountain music from Kyrgyzstan.

Also on offer will be shamanistic music from the nomads of Mongolia and Samul Nori folk percussion and dance from South Korea.

Malaysian bhangra (as a little alternative from British bhangra) and wassalou singing from Mali, are a couple of examples of what more to expect.

Asian music groups already confirmed to appear are Tengir Too from Kyrgyzstan, ChungMyung from South Korea, Egschiglen from Mongolia and Aynur from Turkey.

From Europe we’ll see Les Yeux Noirs from France and Hotel Palindrone from Austria and from the Americas come Genticorum from Canada and Calle Sur from Colombia.

Kilema from Madagascar, and Nahawa Doumbia from Mali represent the African continent, while home country Malaysia will see the Kuala Lumpur’s Malaysian Dhol Federation and the Yap Ting Chinese Percussion Ensemble from Sarawak.

Watch out for more updates and more acts to confirm.

Tickets are priced at RM60 per day (RM30 for children under 12).

For ticket information, e-mail pauline@sarawaktourism.com or call 082 423 600.

For more information visit www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com

Source: The Star

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