Rhythm Of The Earth World Music Festival

[JusMe]

I know that Todd "Tongdee" Lavellee moved the festival from under Rama VIII Bridge (where I really enjoyed it) to Centralworld, a few years ago.

Anyway, I figured on getting to some of it this year, but no matter how I search, all I can find is that it's at CentralWorld from February 3rd to 7th.

Anyone know anything more? Find some details about it?

[sabaijai]

EDITOR'S PICK

Global rhythms, tribal beats

By KITCHANA LERSAKVANITCHAKUL

THE NATION

Published on February 3, 2010

Todd Tongdee cooks up a musical blend at his Bar-B-Q Festival, with folk and traditional acts from all over the world

Thailand's World Musiq & World Bar-B-Q Festival "Rhythm of the Earth" returns for its fifth edition at CentralWorld tonight with a programme that promises to delight everyone who fancies something a little different.

In his free booklet about the fest, its founder Todd Tongdee Lavelle, explains his initial concerns at whether anyone would turn up. He also wondered if Thais would be open to world "musiq" and to the folk variations performed by local deaf, blind, autistic and hilltribe players.

Fortunately, these doubts didn't stop him from staging the first "Rhythm of the Earth" in January 2006 beneath the Rama VIII Bridge next to the Chao Phraya River. The gamble paid off and Lavelle was thrilled to see folks turn up to join what has now become an annual free - and, in his words, borderless celebration of humanity.

Since then he has taken his world "musiq" concept to more than 20 provinces and some 30 festivals throughout Thailand, as well as to Korea, Japan and China and 12 cities in the US with his "Himmapan: 2nd World Tour".

"Three years ago, I travelled to several world music festivals in different parts of the globe and was asked for my definition of world music. I explained that I used 'q' instead of 'c' for the world musiq because for me it denotes good quality, soul and being borderless. The 'q' is also about faith.

"I would like to know more about audience reaction to my world musiq," Lavelle continues. "At the Udon World Musiq Festival, I was amazed to see 5,000 people totally entranced by an Indian gypsy band's show. Perhaps that was because the band started with a ceremony to pay respect to teachers that's the same as we have here and the show is like our mor lam [isaan dancing]. Also, since appearing at my festival, a group of HIV-infected children have been performing 40 to 50 shows a year.

"World music is art rather than commercial. Today, many music labels are interested in taking part in the festival but I think the artist should have world music in his soul."

This year's line-up includes Cedric Watson from the US, a nominee for Best Zydeco album at the 2010 Grammy Awards; Taiwan's Ten Drum Art Percussion Group, also nominated for a Grammy in the Best Traditional World Music Album category, Yunasi from Kenya, Latino super group Cuba Libre, Sonagi from South Korea, and Lavelle's brand new Thai world musiq group Himmapan: 2nd World. Also taking the stage are Thai artists Tewan Novel Jazz, Kai-Jo Brothers, luk thung singer Luang Kai and Tai Puan from Udon Thani. Admission is free.

"Cedric Watson comes from New Orleans and his music is based on accordion and violin. He sings in Creole, mixing French, Spanish and African," says Lavelle.

"Yunasi was incredibly popular when they made their debut here two years ago. All the members come from a big slum in Nairobi and their music style is called 'sesube', which is a combination of 42 tribes in Kenya such as the Sega, the Isikuti and the Benga. Keep an eye on the drummer and the bass player, who'll be playing several rhythms unique to Middle Eastern Africa.

"Taiwan's Inka Mbing sings of the mountains, and Israel's Madboojah blends world music and techno."

HEAR THE MUSIQ

- The World Musiq & World Bar-B-Q Festival is in CentralWorld Plaza from tonight until Sunday, nightly from 6 to 10.30.

- Tonight: Lanna's Sawasdee World Acoustic, opening ceremony, Cedric Watson, Luang Kai

- Tomorrow: Chantaburi's Rare Chong Musiq, Gas Giant World Jazz, Madboojah, Yunasi

- Friday: Tai Puan, Roberto's Flamenco Musiq, Cuba Libre, Kai-Jo Brothers

- Saturday: Colours of India, Inka, Himmapan: 2nd World, Autistic Visionaries "the Other Side"

- Sunday: Tewan, Danish World Blues, Roes World Jam

- Visit www.ToddEastWest.com.

-- The Nation 2010-02-03

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[sabaijai]

Schedule:

http://www.toddeastwest.com/roeschedule.pdf

One change: Zydeco/Creole star Cedric Watson is playing tomorrow night, 4 Feb, instead of tonight. Yunasi, who were scheduled for the 4th, will take Watson's place tonight.