For the first time in its history, the National University of Singapore (NUS) Centre For the Arts, in conjunction with ExxonMobil Campus Concerts presents WOMAD On Campus which will mark the opening of WOMAD Singapore from Aug 24-26 at Fort Canning Park.

Perfect timing though, especially since this year marks the 10th Anniversary of WOMAD Singapore.

But, if your first question is “How much?”, let us at the UrbanWire assure you that there isn’t anything like student discounts for WOMAD On Campus because you don’t even have to spend a dime! With its free admission, it’s perfect for people keen on going to the actual main event but aren’t sure if the experience will be worth the money.

So prepare to immerse yourself on Aug 22 into a celebration of world cultures through dance and musical performances at NUS.

If you’re relative newcomer to the world of WOMAD, this year’s event is one not to be missed, and perhaps to tantalise you to experience the flags of the world through the art of music and dance. UrbanWire gives a sneak preview on the contemporary dance vibes from the Scottish lads of Shooglenifty and the evocative instrumentals of Etran Finatawa (Niger).

In The Spotlight: Shooglenifty

Probably as interesting sounding as its name, these “shoogs” as they call themselves are an electronica band that mixes groovy dance vibes with Celtic tunes, which they incorporate with the use of the fiddle.

According to their official website, BBC radio host Mel McClellan reported in Jul 2003, “To the Shoogles, dance is everything. Live, they like to be able to see their audience to share the experience. But after grooving, listen closely to the bodacious range of influences and the inventive experimentation: you’ll find Celtic nods and Oriental winks, coronary-inducing polkas and trippy beats, delicate mandolin and twangy slide guitar, global percussion and drumming from the dark side…Brilliant, brilliant.”

According to the band, even though they “remix” traditional Scottish music, much of their fan base consists of clubbers who come to dance to their contemporary takes.

Garry Finlayson, who plays banjo and banjax cited on Canada’s Folk & Blues Agency website, “You just can’t argue with that many people having a good time – we were obviously doing something right…I was very conscious that a lot of people coming to see us had only ever danced in clubs before, and it was definitely that kind of groove-based approach we were after, yet we never really discussed it in those terms: we just played.”

If you want to get a taste of their music you can visit their Myspace account.

Put on your dancing shoes and catch these shoogs from 9 to 9.45pm at the UCC Courtyard

Etran Finatawa (Niger) featuring NUS Chinese Orchestra

The exclusive performance by Etran Finatawa from Niger, in collaboration with NUS Chinese Orchestra is sure to put on a moving performance.

If you haven’t heard of them yet, the tour group, which consists of 6-8 musicians from 2 nomadic tribes from Western Africa, Wodaabe and Tuareg, have been nominated for 3 awards for World Music under the Newcomer category by BBC Radio this year, according to Orientaljazz.com.

But that’s not all, they are sweeping the globe with their “desert blues”, having performed in many notable music festivals such as the festival of desert music in Marocco in 2005. They’ve also toured in Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Ireland and received praise from press all around the globe.

According to Orientaljazz.com, the Sydney Morning Herald cited in Aug last year,  “Just listen to the guitar solos on A Dunya and you’ll be instantly seduced by the beauty of this music which has its roots in the West African country of Niger. Marvel at Iledeman and in the driving 12-bar structure you can hear the real roots of American blues.”

“Iledeman”, referring to a track on their 2006 album, Introducing Etran Finatawa, if broken up is “Île de Man” (Island of Man) in French, an island in the Irish Sea between England and Scotland. This should give you some clue as to what kind of music to expect from Etran Finatawa: world music about the world.

So, don’t miss out on this exclusive performance from 9 to 9.45pm at the University Cultural Centre (UCC) Courtyard.


Additional Tidbits

Apart from the performance section, there will also be workshops that you can participate in. Whether you want to learn about Punjab music from renowned dhol drummer, Johnny Kalsi, or learn how to play a guitar by Gibson Guitars (Singapore), why not get in on the action?

Performances Line-up

7.45-8.30pm,UCC Theatre, Shooglenifty (Scotland)
9-9.45pm, UCC Courtyard, Etran Finatawa (Niger) featuring NUS Chinese Orchestra9.45-10.15pm, UCC Courtyard, Muntu Valdo (Cameroon)

Workshops Line-up

7-7.30pm, UCC Theatre Foyer Level 1, Ensemble Shanbehzadeh (Iran)
8.30-9pm, UCC Courtyard, Mahotella Queens (South Africa)
9-9.45pm, UCC Theatre Foyer Level 1, Gibson Guitars (Singapore)
10.15-10.45pm (UCC Courtyard), Johnny Kalsi and Dhol Drummers (UK)

 

For more information about the various workshops and performances please visit http://www.nus.edu.sg/cfa/calendar/womad_2007.html