WorldFest 09 celebrates diversity in the Tees Valley and showcases world class talent.
Set towards the end of May, just as we’re easing into summer, WorldFest brings something different to the cultural life of the Tees Valley, with a packed schedule of events.
Past years’ WorldFests have featured acts such as Tinariwen, Gregory Isaacs and Kanda Bongo Man (who played to a crowded Trafalgar Square the next day) and we are sure that WorldFest 09 is going to be even bigger and better than previous years.
Headliners this year (Saturday May 23rd Middlesbrough Town Hall) will be Aswad and Horace Andy (long-time vocalist with Massive Attack) with his regular band Dub Asante. These bands have made a huge contribution to music over the years and are truly called ‘legends of reggae’.
Horace Andy has been recording since the 1960s and many people will know him from his collaboration with Massive Attack on the track ‘Angel’.
Aswad have had a string of hits including the number one ‘Don’t Turn Around’ as well as ‘Shine’ and ‘Give a Little Love’.
Later that same night the Beta Simon Band will play in the Town Hall Crypt – Beta Simon (star of African and French reggae) and his band played at WorldFest 08 and were a huge hit with the crowd – they got the night off to a dancing start.
There will also be a varied WorldFest programme including a youth event, an acoustic night, an African night at ARC Stockton and a host of WorldFest linked events – please look at the festival programme page.
WorldFest is not a commercial festival; it has some free events as well as ticketed ones – any profit made is re-invested for next year’s programme.
WorldFest 09 is brought to you by Tees Valley Arts in partnership with African Arts Association and Middlesbrough Council.
WorldFest is funded by the Northern Rock Foundation and Arts Council England, with additional support from Middlesbrough Council, the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Unison and local businesses. Our thanks go to all our supporters and sponsors!
For further information please contact Rowena Sommerville, Acting Director, Tees Valley Arts on 01642 264651 or Maurice Dezou, Programme Director on 07525053193
‘Just lovely’
‘Enjoyed the whole night’
‘Nice atmosphere, great mix’
‘Very interesting – something I wasn’t expecting’
‘It’s got everything I love’
‘Fantastic event, great music, well presented, interesting mix of people, great fun’
The starter was the Youth Event on the Tuesday night in the Crypt at Middlesbrough Town Hall, where we were entertained by a drumming group led by Maurice; a dance group which had been working with local B-boy specialist (look it up!) Michael Sogbetun; a drama group (supported by Stockton Asylum Team) which had been working with Scott Young at Arc and which retold the birth of the world (no lack of ambition there); the very talented young rapper Flava; and the excellent and original band The Main Exchange. There was also a display of artworks by young people who had been working with Adrian Moule and Gassan Mohammed (some of them supported by Middlesbrough Welcome project). We had a really good audience with a lovely mix of young people, supporters and parents.
Next up was Soul MaP (soul music and poetry) on the Thursday at the Hub in Teesside University, where a select gathering was treated to music from Robert Maseko and Otis; poetry and music from Bob Beagrie and Andy Willoughby + Milo and Kev; acappella harmonies from Henwen; African soul music from O’nel Mala + a variety of musicians from very diverse backgrounds; and lilting easy soul from Delsena and Shimmer – a very (world) cultured night.
Then on Friday we had the Nuit d’Afrique at Arc, Stockton, where a large and lively crowd was shocked into action by the 100 drum salute led by Maurice and Alphonse of Drum Planet. This was really something to see and hear and worked really well to engage and relax the audience – carnival style fun! This was followed by Rafiki Jazz – an astonishing line up of musicians and singers from all sorts of traditions making top quality world fusion music; one of their number was Juldeh Camara on an instrument called the Riti who had received a 4 star review in the Guardian only that week. Then O’nel and the band performed again – what a lovely voice; and we ended the night dancing to Kasai Masai with a surprise visit from Kanda Bongo Man, and didn’t finish till midnight. I made the mistake of wearing new shoes – you live and learn.
On Saturday of course was the Gala Night in Middlesbrough Town Hall, again kicked off with the 100 drum salute, making a great festive atmosphere. Reggae legends Aswad played first, followed by Horace Andy and the Dub Asante Band. I was the MC and I said on stage it was an honour and a privilege to welcome those bands to Middlesbrough and I truly believe it was – this is music I’ve been listening to for years and which has contributed to my life, so how wonderful to meet the originators. Many people commented on not only the fabulous music, but also the great atmosphere, the very diverse audience, and how good the big hall looked with the screen and the new lighting etc. It was grand to be there.
Then we headed downstairs to the Crypt for Soznak – a funky brass line up – and Beta Simon and his band, who played for us at WorldFest 08 and whom we were delighted to be able to invite back – they had made a lot of friends during their first visit. We carried on till 2am with a good number of people wanting more but there is a limit! (Though I did wear comfy sandals this time.)
As I write this we still have the community event on Saturday June 6th at Middlesbrough International Community Centre at 2.30pm to look forward to – showcasing performances and artworks by the young people again, and featuring our very own Tees Valley World Drummers and Salam UK – a band made up of musicians from Egypt, Iraq, probably some other countries, and Staithes! This event is free and all are very welcome.
Then one last blast – WorldFest 09 is sponsoring Zion – a Bob Marley tribute band, to perform at Middlesbrough Music Live on June 7th – check it out!
TVA and African Arts association would like to thank everyone who has helped, everyone who has come along and enjoyed events, everyone who has encouraged us, and everyone who wants to see WorldFest continue and grow. We can’t do it without you, and there wouldn’t be any point to it!
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Hey! Simon.. Rowena.. Maurice..and all you others. Big thanks to you all for putting on Rafiki Jazz at ARC Stockton last Friday. Nice crowd..lovely music..great food Thanks!! Rafikians
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