Current Issue #488

Final WOMADelaide Announcement Expands Event's Diversity

Final WOMADelaide Announcement Expands Event's Diversity

WOMADelaide’s final program announcement sees a fresh swag of award winning talent from nations as diverse as Argentina, Iceland, Honduras, Russia, Israel, Mali and Spain.

The biggest names on the latest roster are Orquesta Típica Fernández Fierro, a 12-piece tango ensemble from Argentina known for their high-energy performances, and Bokanté, a nine-piece global ensemble from Grammy Award-winning Snarky Puppy musicians Chris McQueen and Bob Lanzetti.

womadelaide-2017-bokanteBokanté’s members hail from four continents (image: supplied)

Toni Childs, the American-Australian Emmy Award-winning singer behind hits such as Don’t Walk Away, I’ve Got to Go Now and Because You’re Beautiful, will also grace the stage in her WOMADelaide debut.

A selection of musical acts hailing from nations as diverse as their styles fills out the rest of the final musicians confirmed for the festival. Audiences can expect to be moved by the dulcet tones of Honduras’ Aurelio and Israel’s The Piyut Ensemble, dance to the unique live percussion of Spain’s contemporary flamenco troupe Fuel Fandango and Malian guitarists Bamba Wassoulou Groove, and enjoy the electronic wonder of Icelandic techno minimalists Kiasmos, plus US house and disco specialist DJ Rahaan.

womadelaide-2017-bamba-wassoulou-groove-renaud-barret
Bamba Wassoulou Groove are sure to get WOMAD attendees up and dancing (image: supplied)

Further Australian talent added to the lineup include the 2016 Aria Award-winning Montaigne, Darwin’s Caiti Baker and Adelaide musicians Jesse Davidson, MANE, Aaron Thomas and Kelly Menhennett.

Moving outside the realm of live music, audiences can expect the same divesity WOMADelaide has come to be known for in thoughtful discussion, cinema and non-musical live performance.

Aboriginal Elder and Indigenous theatre hero Uncle Jack Charles will join Archie Roach for a conversation session under the title Healing and Empowerment Through the Arts. French street theatre performers Cie Ekart will delight onlookers with Les Dodoswhere two explorers will roam WOMAD’s fields on giant dodos. Nightly screenings of Allegoria Sacra from Russian artist collective AES + F will also take place.

womadelaide-2017-montaigneFresh from her 2016 Breakthrough Artist Aria win Montaigne will delight audiences (image: supplied)

WOMADelaide Director Ian Scobie praised the “addition of these extraordinary artists” to the festival, saying it makes up “one of the most exciting and diverse programs we’ve ever been able to present.”

“It is truly ‘the world’s festival’.”

Tickets and full program available via womadelaide.com.au

Header Image: Fuel Fandango (supplied)

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