· August, 2008

Stories about Music from August, 2008

Zimbabwe: Zimfest 2008

  29 August 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.”

Russia: Anti-War Music

  28 August 2008

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

  27 August 2008

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?

  27 August 2008

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

  27 August 2008

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.”

Venezuela: Antonio Lauro and His Classical Guitar

  24 August 2008

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

  22 August 2008

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

  20 August 2008

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

  20 August 2008

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

  18 August 2008

Blah Bloh Blog‘s wide range of photos and video offers a comprehensive overview of Grenada's recently-concluded Carnival celebrations.

Bahamas, Guyana: Carifesta Buzz

  15 August 2008

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

  15 August 2008

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.

South Africa: Vote for Springleap.com

  13 August 2008

“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.

Jamaica: Week in Review

  12 August 2008

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.