Jun 02 - GWMF Street Party ‘AFREEKA’ At Commonwealth Park
Once again the Gibraltar World Music Festival will give Gibraltar an opportunity to discover the sounds, smells and colours that Africa can offer on the afternoon of 7th June at Commonwealth Park.
International artists will perform an attractive artistic program on the Commonwealth Park stage. Food and drinks will be provided by local companies at the ‘boulevar’ (Sir Herbert Miles Promenade).
A spokesperson from the organisers said: “Music is the beating heart of African culture. The traditional music of Africa, given the vastness of the continent, is historically ancient, rich and diverse, with different regions and nations of Africa having many distinct musical traditions. Traditional music in most of the continent is passed down orally (or aurally) and is not written. The music and dance of the African diaspora, formed to varying degrees on African musical traditions, include American music and many Caribbean genres, such as soca, calypso (see kaiso) and zouk. Latin American music genres such as the rumba, conga, bomba, cumbia and samba were also founded on the music of enslaved Africans, and have in turn influenced African popular music.”
Artistic program
Gibraltar Academy of Music and Performing Arts, directed by Christian Santos, together with Gibraltar International Dance Academy will open this event followed by other local acts starring the Loreto School choir and Prior Park School music class which will also participate in this street party.
The artistic program will also include exceptional musicians from Mali and the Blue desert who are making their debut in Gibraltar.
This is the case of Bassekou Kouyate, considered to be the best ngoni player in the world, revolutionizing the playing of this traditional string instrument and gathering Ngonis with different size and pitches in his groovy band “Ngoni ba”. Griots are esteemed musician/storytellers whose lineage stretches back centuries. Bassekou was born into this resonant tradition but his relationship to it has been anything but static. He is also into Blues and Country music.
Yossi Fine, bass master producer, one of the most well known musicians and producers in the world today. Grammy nominated, has produced over 40 albums around the world, reaching 20 gold and multi-platinum albums. Yossi has produced, recorded and played with David Bowie, Lou Reed, Gil Evans Orchestra, Vieux Farka toure and many more. In his new project Yossi plays bass and a special guitar he built, playing traditional songs and music from the blue desert.
Several tents with food, drinks, handcraft and workshops will be available at the Boulevard located at line Wall Road from 19.00 to 20.00 hours. Drinks will be provided by Lewis Stagnetto very well known for representing some of Spain’s leading bodegas and other wineries from around the world. Lewis Stagnetto have been supplying beers in Gibraltar since the early 50’s and distributing the leading brands of spirits.
Food for charity - Vicky Bishop - Akin
Vicky’s Natural Kitchen will offer her 25 years of experience in making a special menu for this event. Everything is made by them in Vicky's kitchen, from chutneys to home-made breads, using the best seasonal ingredients providing a special menu to suit the African tastes. The money raised will go to the Association of Kids in Need (AKIN). The well-known local chef said that “this charity works hard for the kids in need and I wanted to support them. That’s why I decided to donate all the funds raised during this street party to this charity”. Founded in 2003 but officially launched in the summer of 2004, the charity began in a modest yet effective way, providing aid to an orphanage in Morocco.
Supernatural will be present in this event for the health-conscious hedonists seeking clean, healthy food and expertly crafted delicious juices and smoothies inspired by the art of mixology.
For additional information, visit Gibraltar World Music Festival social media.
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