Stories about Music from August, 2008
Zimbabwe: Zimfest 2008
Sokwanele blog announces a festival organized by WeZimbabwe in London: “ZimfestIt’s all about braais, music, sadza, beer etc – and raising money for Zimbabweans in need. Tickets are £20 in advance or £30 at the gate.”
Guyana, Bahamas: The good and bad of Carifesta X
With the tenth Caribbean Festival of Arts -- Carifesta X -- under way in Guyana, bloggers comment on the massive event, its problems and highlights, the politics of art and also the art of politics.
Russia: Anti-War Music
LJ user marchenk posts a collection of links (RUS) to videos of various anti-war songs in Russian, French, English, Italian, German, Hebrew, Serbian, Spanish, Polish, Arabic and other languages.
Cape Verde: Happy birthday to Cesária Évora
João Branco [pt] pays homage to Cape Verdean singer Cesária Évora who is 67 today. He quotes her: “I sing for pleasure, I don't believe in dreams or in destination, what makes me happy is to know I spent years of suffering for the life I have today. In Mindelo,...
Angola: The president's birthday party or an election stunt?
Edmundo Galiza Matos [pt] comments on the Angola President José Eduardo dos Santos’ 66th birthday party this Sunday 31th, which according to the blogger is just an election stunt. “Two names of Angolan music, acting and living outside their country for alleged spiritual and political “sufferings” have rushed back to...
Cuba: Punk Rocker Arrested
As several bloggers voice their outrage at the arrest of Cuban punk rocker Gorki Aguila, Havana-based Generation Y claims: “They took him because nothing destabilizes the intransigents more than a man in his most free state.”
Brazil: Exploring the “New MPB”
For those who like Brazilian Popular Music, Isaías Camanducaia [pt] picks the top 10 of the “new MPB“, which he defines as “everything that came after Marisa Monte“.
Venezuela: Antonio Lauro and His Classical Guitar
Antonio Lauro is well-known for composing waltzes for the classical guitar. As part of the group Trio Cantores del Trópico, Lauro managed to contribute to the Venezuela's musical heritage converting original European structures into melodies that sound very much like the Venezuelan idiosyncrasies. He toured extensively around neighboring countries to spread the sounds of Venezuelan music.
China: iTunes is blocked and it's Apple's fault
Silicon Hutong blogger David Wolf notes that the iTunes Music Store is now blocked in China, assumes this was due to the release on iTunes of a Tibetan music album, assumes Apple chose to release it during the Olympics as an act of “passive-aggressive panda-punching,” and then advises Apple choose...
Barbados: Crop-Over Culture
Although the recent Crop Over celebrations were well attended, Barbados Underground thinks that should not be the only criterion for measuring success: “Cultural development and expression are important to the well being of any nation. While the fete element in Crop Over seems to be flourishing, we are concerned that...
Estonia: Olympics Champion; Song Festival
Itching for Eestimaa writes about an Estonian Olympics champion Gerd Kanter and last night's song festival that “served various functions”: “Ostensibly, it was a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the major events of the Singing Revolution. But it was also a celebration of independence on the eve of the...
Grenada: Carnival is Over
Blah Bloh Blog‘s wide range of photos and video offers a comprehensive overview of Grenada's recently-concluded Carnival celebrations.
Brazil: Farewell to Dorival Caymmi
YouTube user imperadorminas pays homage to Dorival Caymmi, one of the most important songwriters in Brazilian popular music, who died yesterday August 16, aged 94.
Morocco: Saida Fekry's Return
cinema and movies discusses the return of Moroccan singer Saida Fekry, who has been studying film in America.
Bahamas, Guyana: Carifesta Buzz
In the midst of criticisms about the host country not being prepared for Carifesta, Bahamian blogger Nicolette Bethel says: “Guyana stepped in when we in The Bahamas relinquished our commitment to host, and, despite having had only one year to plan the festival in, took the plunge anyway.” She adds:...
China: Football Team Welcome You
Frustrated with the Chinese football team performance in the Olympics, Chinese netizens changed the lyrics of “Beijing welcome you” into “Chinese football team welcome you” and uploaded the music videos onto youtube.
Jamaica, China: Masters of the Universe?
She makes you think and she makes you laugh! Jamaican Annie Paul‘s post on the Olympics is a must-read.
South Africa: Vote for Springleap.com
“Vote for South Africa at the Innovation 100 Awards,” writes Nic Haralambous following the nomination of Springleap.com (a South African initiative to promote SA artists) for the Innovation 100 Awards.
Egypt: Singer Killed in Dubai, Not Cairo
Egyptian blogger Zeinobia argues why Egyptian authorities have no reason to ban publications from running stories on the murder of a Lebanese singer Susan Tamim in Dubai, UAE.
China: Faking the Olympic opening ceremony, at what expense?
The buzz on Tuesday was that two major components of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony had been faked, leaving a very bad taste in many bloggers' mouths.
Jamaica: Week in Review
From the Olympics opening ceremony: “It showcased the sheer might and power that can be harnessed from the human potential, working together as one” to “Russia’s blitzkieg-style attack on Georgia”, Jamaica's Abeng News Magazine thinks it's been one heck of a week.
