Mirage8pm
This week’s New Music Collective gives you some tastes from around the globe with Mirage kicking off at 8pm. Playing traditional art music from the Middle East on Arabic instruments such as the
Oud (Middle Eastern lute), the Darabukka (goblet drum), and the Riqq (tambourine-drum) and featuring some special guests this is a rare chance to hear this music live!
Jonathan Gemmill, the Oud player, has also written many original compositions in the style. The music has many similarities to jazz, especially in the elements of form and improvisation. The group creates
a beautiful musical experience – from deep, meditative taqsims, or solos, to fiery, odd time percussion grooves.
Wontanara 9pm
From the Middle East to West Africa..Christchurch’s own West African percussion ensemble Wontanara will perform at 9pm.
Wontanara is an exciting Christchurch based music and dance group dedicated to the many cultural traditions of Africa. Drawing it’s name from the Susu language, Wontanara means ‘community’, and many of Wontanara’s members have spent time in Africa in an effort to learn and preserve it’s traditional, exhilarating art forms. Under the artistic direction of the internationally known percussionist, Doug Brush, the band performs time-honored African music and dance from all over the African continent on traditional instruments such as djembes, djun-djuns, balaphones, mbiras, and, of course, singing. The professional dancers that are a part of the group bring extra thrills and audience encouragement to the performances. The band brings a unique and matchless energy playing this electrifying music to any celebration, festival, or dance party. http://wontanara.co.nz/
