We’re very pleased to let you know about the upcoming 2010 Middle East Festival One World Peace Concert, which is combining great music and food while raising funds for forthcoming Reel Festivals (more about that soon…) and our friends at the Middle East Festival.
Venue: Roxy Art House, 2 Roxburgh Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9SU.
Date: Saturday 6 February 2010.
Time: Doors open 6pm. Concert 7pm-11pm.
Event Description: The 2010 Middle East Festival One World Peace Concert celebrates the cultural diversity of Scotland and the Middle East. Join us in a spirit of friendship to celebrate our wonderful diverse communities in Scotland, with beautiful music from Waa Sylla, Samba Sene and Diwan, GOL and the Babylon Arabic Band, along with food and drink provided by Susie’s Diner.
Waa Sylla was born of the inspiration and spirit that each member has for the rhythms of Africa. An Edinburgh-based 7-piece traditional djembe and doun-doun drums and dance troupe – playing drums, xylophone, kamele ngoni, flute, and songs and dances from around Western and Central Africa, especially Guinea, Ghana, Uganda and Mali. Waa Sylla are pleased to be a part of our wonderful community in Edinburgh and to bring us all together in the spirit of celebration.
Samba Sene and Diwan: Charismatic Senegalese singer Samba Sene’s music is an engaging fusion of Senegalese traditional rhythms and grooves, with touches of reggae, latin, funk, rock and blues. His influences include former mentor Baaba Maal, Bob Marley, Van Morrison, Paul Simon, Alpha Blondy and Aswad. The songs cover a range of subjects from homelessness, equal rights to outright celebration. Uplifting and upbeat, this is world music with Senegalese soul. www.myspace.com/sambasene
GOL will perform a special set of their music from the EP “Roots” and their “Mixed UP!” MELA Commission for this concert. GOL’s music has been described as ‘UK and IRANIAN NU-JAZZ WORLD ELECTRONICA.’ The musicians are: 1. Roxana Pope (Vocals – Farsi, Arabic and English): British/Iranian; 2. Yann Seznec (Keyboards and live sampling): French/American; 3. Pete Vilk (Drum kit and samples): Czech/Slovak; 4. Allan Ferguson (Bass): Scottish; 5. Mat Clements (Congas, Darabuka, Percussion): English; 6. Iordanis Kalaitzoglou (Saxophone, Clarinet, Ney and Kaval): Greek; 7. Bouda Ahmadi (Iranian Santur): Iranian. www.myspace.com/golmusic
Babylon Arabic Band is an Edinburgh-based band, fresh from Reel Iraq 2009 and their performaces in Samarqand, which consists of Iraqi, Scottish, English and Irish musicians led by Mohammed Nafee (Iraqi singer and musician). They perform a selection of Mohammed’s favourite Arabic songs throughout all Arab countries, which he performed at parties and celebrations in Iraq. The musicians are: 1. Mohammed Nafee Mohammed (Vocal and Oud); 2. Joel Sanderson (Double Bass); 3. Tim Leary (Violin); 4. Marion Kenny (Flute); 5. Adam Reid (Percussion); 6. Frazer Watson (Percussion). The belly dancers are: Constantina and Sheikha. www.myspace.com/babylonarabicband
Cost: £12/£10 (Concessions).
Booking: Tickets Scotland Ltd, 127 Rose Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3DT. 0131 220 3234.
http://www.tickets-scotland.com/ 9am-6pm (8pm Thursday), 11am-6pm Sundays.
Susie’s Diner, 51–53 West Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DB. 0131 667 8729.
Hilary’s Bazaar, 297 The Royal Mile, Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8BD. 0131 556 0408.
Yekta, 96 South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1HN. 0131 225 9706.
Contact: Neill Walker, mesp2010@hotmail.co.uk, 0131 331 4469.