Stories about Music from June, 2009
Iran:Joan Baez sings for the Iranian people
Arefadib tweeted that Joan Baez sings ‘We shall Overcome’ (with a line in Perisan) for the Iranian people.
Israel: Music Videos Unite Jewish & Arab Youth
Windows for Peace, a nonprofit based in Tel Aviv, Israel, is waging practical solutions for peace. This summer, Jewish and Arab Israeli teens will unite to create short music videos that represent their ideals. According to Israelity, the project's goal is “showing young people in the region that communication with...
Albania: Female Solo Singers
A post on “some of the most important Albanian female solo singer artists of the last century” – at The Balkan Crew.
Russia: Viktor Tsoi's Birthday in St. Pete
Eagle and the Bear writes about Viktor Tsoi, “the Soviet Kurt Cobain, who wrote some iconic tunes, changed the Russian music world with his group Kino, and then died young enough to become a martyr.”
Egyptian Rap Song in support of Iran
Urging Egyptian youth to fight against corruption, Wa7da Masreya posted an Egyptian rap song [EN & AR] in support of Iran.
Malawi: Reactions to Madonna's adoption of Chifundo
For some who never knew Malawi, they have gotten to hear about the country in Africa purely because of Madonna whose full name is not known to many. It appears that the generally many Malawians are happy that Madonna is able to adopt needy children from Malawi in spite of the fears of what this trend may create.
India: RIP Sarod maestro Ali Akbar Khan
“Thank you Khan sahib for sharing your wonderful music and gift with so many people,” with these words of appreciation mourns Kamla Bhatt the internationally renowned Sarod Maestro Ali Akbar Khan, who passed away on the 18th of June. Here is an interview with Ali Akbar Khan by Kamla Bhatt.
Nepal: The Musicians
Kathmandu Blogger writes about the unsung heroes of Nepali Weddings, the musicians.
Trinidad & Tobago: Creative Prosperity
Repeating Islands highlights the wonderfully creative animation by Trinidadian artist Wendell Mc Shine, which he produced for a new music video.
Serbia: Directory of “Twitter Celebs”
A directory of “Twitter Celebs from Serbia” – at Belgraded.
Trinidad & Tobago: RIP “Shel Shok”
Trinidadian bloggers say farewell to late music producer Sheldon ‘$hel $hok’ Benjamin.
Cuba: Flamenco!
Havana Times blogs about flamenco dancing in Cuba.
Nigeria: The New Afrika Shrine closed by police
The New Afrika Shrine in Lagos, Nigeria built and operated by Femi and Yeni Anikulapo Kuti, the eldest son and daughter of cultural icon, Fela Anikulapo Kuti was forcibly closed down last week by the authorities who gave less than 24 hours notice and claimed “noise nuisance, illegal street trading,...
Czech Republic: Susan Boyle in Prague
The Czech Daily Word reports that Susan Boyle “will visit Prague in late June/early July to record her album – with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra.”
Jamaica: One Love
“For the four days that I was in Treasure Beach for Calabash 09, I saw two Jamaicas”: Litblogger Geoffrey Philp explains that he would “like to return to a place that doesn’t have 1,611 murders in one year. I don’t want two Jamaicas. I’d just like a Jamaica of One...
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Mas’ 2009
“Much like other carnival festivities in the Caribbean, Vincy Mas is a celebration of African culture, European tradition, and Caribbean folklore”: Repeating Islands blogs about upcoming Carnival celebrations in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Bolivia: Farewell to Aymara Hip Hop Artist Abraham Bojorquez
The sudden death of Bolivian hip-hop artist Abraham Bojorquez was especially hard on residents of El Alto, the city from which he hailed. A victim of a traffic accident, Bojorquez left behind many fans around the world, but also left behind a legacy of lyrics that reflected on the struggles and the hopes of a young city that has been through so much. Many Bolivian bloggers shared their condolences.
Cuba: The Music of de Salas
Repeating Islands profiles Claudio Brindis de Salas, “the famous Cuban violinist who was also known as the ‘King of the Octaves’ or the ‘Black Paganini’.”
Global Lullabies: The Arrorró Project
Artist Gabriela Golder from Argentina has taken it upon herself to discover, record and collect lullabies from all over the world, and to find connections among them in the Arrorró project. Rising Voices director David Sasaki wrote about the project on the 80+1 website, where he interviewed Gabriela on camera, and got authors and editors for Global Voices involved by inspiring many to record themselves singing the lullabies they remembered from their childhood.