[WORLD MUSIC/Contemporary/Dance ~ AUS/INT]

Botanic Park, Fri 11 Mar.

Friday night Day 1 of WOMADelaide 2022 offers something for everyone and it is fabulous to be back in Botanic Park, with the WOMAD flag fluttering and an eclectic array of music, dance and art installations waiting to be discovered.

Thankfully a well-orchestrated process to show COVID vaccination status meant that entry was quickly managed. Once in, at the Zoo entrance, Peter Drew’s six ‘Aussie’ posters showed a range of Australian faces in passport type poses emphasising the range of ethnicity that make up our population – a fitting start to this 30-year WOMADelaide anniversary which features more range and talent of Australia’s artists than performers from overseas.

Egyptian-born oud master player Joseph Tawadros with his brother James on percussion and a 52-piece Adelaide Symphony Orchestra begin my WOMADelaide experience. They woo the seated crowd with their Concerto For Oud And Orchestra, and a great sense of fun. Further pieces include – Permission To Evaporate, Point Of Departure, Bluegrass Nikriz and encore Constantinople. The music is at times rousing and then swells. There are plaintive refrains and driving rhythms. There was even a tambourine solo and a lot of joy in the air as the performance came to a close with a standing ovation. “Nothing like getting a good cardio workout!” Joseph quips at the end of the concert.

Another seated show followed at the Moreton Bay stage with Glass Beams – a trio from Melbourne wearing full sparkling face masks. The music is guitar based, with lots of Eastern scales, loops, bass and sound layers.

A quick excursion to the food stalls finds Gravity & Other Myths weaving their way through the gathered crowd, adding to the atmosphere with hand held lights spotlighting trees, under tables and the troupe of performers darting and tumbling in front of them.

We can hear the dulcet tones of Kutcha Edwards, so wander over to have a listen. Formerly of the Black Arm Band, tonight he performs with three backing singers from Adelaide’s CASM, and full band. With a voice reminiscent of Jimmy Little with twinges of Nick Cave. Kutcha’s easy vocals and banter with the audience make for a relaxed interlude.

Baker Boy on the Foundation Stage has the big crowd grooving and bopping, but we head to the Zoo Stage to listen to the Persian influenced jazz of the Eishan Ensemble. Featuring the tar, an ancient Iranian instrument similar to a lute, saxophone, double bass, guitar and percussion this is fabulous stuff.

A stroll past the Cathedral Of Light on the way to see Parvyn is beautiful, with its glowing arched structure giving off a sense of serenity.

Parvyn has performed at previous WOMADelaide Festivals with Dya Singh and Bombay Royale. This year she showcases the music from her debut album Sa. Giving a nod to artists like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Sheila Chandra and Nitin Sawhney, she fuses electronica, Punjabi, devotional cadences and jazz. At night under the Moreton Bay – this is gorgeous.

To end the night L.A.B. put on a pulsing show on the Foundation Stage with a huge sound and lots of machismo. Reggae and funk grooves draw a big crowd.

Day 1’s WOMADelaide offerings have spanned myriad genres and have piqued the appetite for more great experiences to come. So glad you are back, WOMADelaide!

5 stars

Cathy Tune

WOMADelaide continues at Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla, at various times, until Mon 14 Mar.

Book at WOMADelaide.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.

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[WORLD MUSIC/Contemporary/Dance ~ AUS/INT] Botanic Park, Fri 11 Mar. Friday night Day 1 of WOMADelaide 2022 offers something for everyone and it is fabulous to be back in Botanic Park, with the WOMAD flag fluttering and an eclectic array of music, dance and art installations waiting to be discovered. Thankfully a well-orchestrated process to show COVID vaccination status meant that entry was quickly managed. Once in, at the Zoo entrance, Peter Drew’s six ‘Aussie’ posters showed a range of Australian faces in passport type poses emphasising the range of ethnicity that make up our population – a fitting start to this 30-year WOMADelaide anniversary which features more range and talent of Australia’s artists than performers from overseas. Egyptian-born oud master player Joseph Tawadros with his brother James on percussion and a 52-piece Adelaide Symphony Orchestra begin my WOMADelaide experience. They woo the seated crowd with their Concerto For Oud And Orchestra, and a great sense of fun. Further pieces include – Permission To Evaporate, Point Of Departure, Bluegrass Nikriz and encore Constantinople. The music is at times rousing and then swells. There are plaintive refrains and driving rhythms. There was even a tambourine solo and a lot of joy in the air as the performance came to a close with a standing ovation. “Nothing like getting a good cardio workout!” Joseph quips at the end of the concert. Another seated show followed at the Moreton Bay stage with Glass Beams – a trio from Melbourne wearing full sparkling face masks. The music is guitar based, with lots of Eastern scales, loops, bass and sound layers. A quick excursion to the food stalls finds Gravity & Other Myths weaving their way through the gathered crowd, adding to the atmosphere with hand held lights spotlighting trees, under tables and the troupe of performers darting and tumbling in front of them. We can hear the dulcet tones of Kutcha Edwards, so wander over to have a listen. Formerly of the Black Arm Band, tonight he performs with three backing singers from Adelaide’s CASM, and full band. With a voice reminiscent of Jimmy Little with twinges of Nick Cave. Kutcha’s easy vocals and banter with the audience make for a relaxed interlude. Baker Boy on the Foundation Stage has the big crowd grooving and bopping, but we head to the Zoo Stage to listen to the Persian influenced jazz of the Eishan Ensemble. Featuring the tar, an ancient Iranian instrument similar to a lute, saxophone, double bass, guitar and percussion this is fabulous stuff. A stroll past the Cathedral Of Light on the way to see Parvyn is beautiful, with its glowing arched structure giving off a sense of serenity. Parvyn has performed at previous WOMADelaide Festivals with Dya Singh and Bombay Royale. This year she showcases the music from her debut album Sa. Giving a nod to artists like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Sheila Chandra and Nitin Sawhney, she fuses electronica, Punjabi, devotional cadences and jazz. At night under the Moreton Bay –…

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Cathy Tune

Day 1’s WOMADelaide offerings have spanned myriad genres and have piqued the appetite for more great experiences to come. So glad you are back, WOMADelaide!

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