Stories about Music from July, 2009
Trinidad & Tobago: Emancipation Celebrations
“On August 1, 1985, Trinidad and Tobago became the first country in the world to declare a national holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery”: Repeating Islands highlights Emancipation Day celebrations in the twin island republic.
Jamaica: Dancehall & Child Abuse
As the Jamaican government introduces a child pornography bill, Jamaica Salt makes it clear that the blame for the rise in child abuse on the island cannot be laid squarely at the door of dancehall music.
Jamaica, U.S.A.: Tributes to Michael
“This year’s Reggae Sumfest was all about Tributes to Michael”: From Jamaica, The Phoenix in a Gas House reports.
Jamaica: Mento Master Missed
Repeating Islands remembers the life and career of Jamaica's Mento master, Theodore “T” Miller: “Mento is a style of Jamaican folk music that draws heavily on musical traditions brought to the island by African slaves…his loss, as the Gleaner recently reported, ‘represents a great loss to Jamaica’s cultural heritage’.”
Trinidad and Tobago: Online Art Networks
Younger contemporary artists in Trinidad increasingly use online media like blogs and social networks like Facebook to exhibit and document their work and engage each other in critical conversation.
Cuba, Jamaica: Film & Music
AfriClassical notes that famed Afro-Cuban composer Leo Brouwer has received his country's 2009 National Film Award, while Repeating Islands discovers that the musical based on Jamaican Perry Henzell’s 1972 film The Harder They Come will soon open in Canada.
Barbados: Where's the Culture?
Barbados Underground suggests that when it comes to Crop Over, “culture issues have taken a backseat in recent years at the expense of running the festival as a business”.
Jamaica: Jacksons to Perform
Girl With a Purpose and Repeating Islands report that Jamaica's Reggae Sumfest is being pegged as a “salute to Michael Jackson” this year – and the Jackson brothers are scheduled to perform.
Out of Africa Emerges Digital Art and Animation
‘Digital' has become the latest buzz word not just in Kenya but in Africa where most things are still analogue. However, Digital Art is a rather new term to even the most seasoned art aficionados. Digital technology has transformed traditional activities such as painting, drawing and sculpture, while new forms, such as net art, digital installation art, and virtual reality, have been recognized artistic practices.
Georgia: Nationalist Pop
This is Tbilisi Calling comments on the tendency for pop music to be used for political purposes in countries such as Georgia. Although there have been some songs which have lampooned forces on both sides of the political divide, the blog also notes their use for nationalist purposes in a...
Cuba: Remembering Segundo
Repeating Islands remembers “well-known Cuban musician and composer Compay Segundo”, who passed away in Havana six years ago today.
Jamaica: KOTE '09
Annie Paul reviews Kingston on the Edge 2009 – Jamaica's up-and-coming urban art festival.
Yemen: “This Is It”
“Michael Jackson wanted to give his greatest and best show. One last show which he called: ‘This Is It’. In death, he has done just that,” writes Yemeni blogger Omar Barsawad in this post.
Argentina: Digital Cumbia in Buenos Aires
Digital Cumbia is one of the latest musical genres that is taking off in Buenos Aires, Argentina thanks to the music club Zizek. Good Airs writes more about why this type of music has become popular.
Palestine: Famous Musicians
Ruba Anabtawi profiles two famous musicians in Palestinian history, Wasif Jawhariyah and Amin Nasser [Ar].
Kazakhstan: A Kazakh from China wins hearts of London
Adam writes about Mamer, a musician and ethnic Kazakh from Xinjiang, who has already become a celebrity in China and Europe, but remains totally unknown in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan: Rock wave from Kazakhstan hits Russia
Juldyz writes about the Kazakhstani rock band that has managed to get through selection process and perform on the prestigious international rock-fest.
Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada: Happy Birthday “Birdie”
Repeating Islands marks the occasion of “the King of Calypso Mighty Sparrow’s 74th birthday.”
South Africa: Drumming to freedom
cueTV interviews a dance collective from Mauritius, Reunion and Madagascar about the dance, Ma Ravan’, a ritual and a performance, and paying homage to slaves and freedom fighters performed at the Grahamstown Arts Festival in South Africa.
South Africa: Jesse Clegg at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival
cueTV speaks to Jesse Clegg, the son of music legend Johnny, at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival.
Bahrain: Missing Michael's Style
Bahrain fashion blogger Aysha remembers Michael Jackson's style: “From his staple sequin white glove to his sequin socks, and his many sequin military jackets, MJ helped remind us that fashion is not only about following trends but creating them too.”
