Stories about Music from July, 2008
Morocco: The View From Fez's News Roundup
The View from Fez provides a weekly news roundup, sharing news of Casablanca's Boulevard des Jeuenes Musiciens as well as the anniversary of King Mohammed VI's accession to the throne.
Barbados, Canada: Caribana Fever
“Wha happen Crop Over music from Crop-Over this year cant reach here? Dem waiting on steam boat to bring the tunes? Man this is internet era, download man download”: Barbadian diaspora blogger Jdid explains why he is not one to catch “Caribana Feva”.
Formoz Festival 2008: Don't wanna say goodbye
Here is wikipedia's explanation of the annual Formoz Festival: The annual Formoz Festival, Spring Scream, and Gung-liao Ho-hai-yan Rock Festival are representative gatherings within Taiwan's indie scene. Of these, Formoz Festival is notable for its international draw. Facing the threat of typhoon Phoenix, lots of people still decided to attend...
Haiti, U.S.A.: Musical Militia
AfriClassical quotes author Michael Largey in its profile of Haitian classical composer Occide Jeanty (1860-1936): “By performing pieces that had extramusical programs referring to Haitian political resistance, the Musique du Palais National, with Occide Jeanty conducting, became a symbol of Haitian resistance, albeit in musical, not military terms.”
Armenia: Musical Tourism
Unfashionably Late recently visited Armenia and posts an extended entry on the local music scene. The post is accompanied by music videos and analysis.
Japan: Tokyo Street Performance
Edward from Japundit posts two youtube clips on Tokyo street performance by Koharu and friend.
Costa Rica: Concerts, riots and concerns.
Journalist Cristian Cambronero from popular Costa Rican blog Fusil de Chispas posts a recount of Sunday's Concert where youth rioted and destroyed the campus of the Universidad Latina in the capital city of San José. It seems that when around 3000 of them were not allowed entrance to the free concert venue where already 5000 spectators were waiting for the concert some of the irate teens destroyed the university buildings, storefronts,dismantled cars, damaged the church in the vicinity, looted, threw chairs, rocks and bricks everywhere.
Guyana, Bahamas: Carifesta Contingent
Signifyin’ Guyana is concerned about the level of regional participation in the upcoming Carifesta celebrations in Georgetown.
D.R. Congo: Kinshasa's “baroque” style
From architecture to music, from dance to dress, in the throbbing capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, excess is in style.
Lebanon: Defying Political Unstability
“The will to live is stronger than death, happiness is stronger than sadness, and peace is stronger than war,” writes The Lebanese Inner Circle, who is reporting on the musical festivals taking place in Lebanon this summer.
Ukraine: Music, Language, History
A discussion of Ukrainian music, language and history – at Vasyl's uaMuzik.
Jamaica, Haiti: Political Analysis
In examining the state of Jamaican politics, My View of JamDown from Up So notices some similarities to Haiti.
China: Baidu and Music Industry
DANWEI reprinted an article from Music 2.0 blog on Baidu's strategy in conquering the music industry.
Guinea: Fatou Barry
Awesome Tapes from Africa posted the whole first album by Guinean diva Fatou Barry, titled Linsan.
Russia: Romani Theatre
TOL's Romantic posts a piece on the history of Romani theatre in Russia.
Bahamas: Cultural Pride
“If you’re in doubt about Bahamians’ lack of pride in our culture, you shoulda been there”: Nicolette Bethel was as Ronnie Butler's farewell concert and writes an homage to the “entertainment maestro”.
Mali: Balafon museum for Sikasso
Sociolingo's Africa reports on a new museum to be created in Sikasso, Mali. It will be the first museum designed to preserve the heritage of the balafon, an African xylophene played in Mali, Burkina Faso, Cote-d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin and Ghana. The post includes a video of two balafon musicians.
Slovakia: “Folk Culture and Communism”
The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovakia writes about the communists’ role in preserving Slovak folk culture.
Kenya: Matatu hip-hop
AfricanHipHop posted a music video by radio presenter Jimmy Gathu from around 1992, which he describes as follows: “not only is it one of the first ever rap videos in Kenya, it also gives a unique view into [matatu] culture as it was back in the days”.
Serbia: Bob Marley Monument; Serbian Reggae
Belgrade 2.0 writes about a monument to Bob Marley that's about to open in northeastern Serbia and posts YouTube video samples of Serbian reggae.
Serbia: EXIT Festival
Bosnia Vault writes about “the famed EXIT festival in Novi Sad” – and the politics that surrounds it.
