England – The stage is set for one of the international music events of the summer, as the legendary singing sensation of World Music – Abida Parveen is billed to headline the Pakistan Cultural Society’s Muslim Arts Festival 2006 in partnership with The Sage Gateshead. the performance will take place July 16th at The Sage Gateshead – Hall One 7.30pm (£18 / £6).
The Pakistani superstar promises to move and enchant the expected capacity audience will her distinctively mystical vocals with a voice that critics have hailed as “one of the most remarkable on the planet”.
The Muslim Arts Festival 2006 is supported by Arts Council England, North East and is part of the national celebration for the Festival of Muslim Cultures.
Known in global music circles as the “Uncrowned Sufi Queen”, Parveen’s inimitable Qawwali sound burrows its way into the soul of the listener, drawing upon love and emotion. Her passionate style and singing range can deliver a performance of songs that hit an array of high and low vocal pitches – perfectly showcasing the talents of this globally sought-after star.
“Abida Parveen has the ability to both captivate you with her beautiful singing and then mesmerise you with her powerful stage presence. She is definitely one of the finest singers and performers of her generation,” said Munmun KC, Pakistan Cultural Society – Project Manager.
Munmun KC continued: “We hope the caliber and quality of this headlining showcase will attract people from different musical tastes and cultural backgrounds – truly uniting a global community through the international language of music.”
The PCS Muslim Arts Festival aims to promote the different art forms that influence various Islamic beliefs, which are highlighted within global culture. They intend to use a variety of events including poetry, drama and music – to put across the diverse creative facets and portray the fascinating artistic traditions. PCS has been working for more than a decade to deliver quality services in order to promote diversity through the arts – The Muslim Arts Festival represents the organization’s continued vision.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming one of the most remarkable singers in the world to The Sage Gateshead – especially as this is Abida Parveen’s only appearance in the UK on this particular visit. It is also exciting to be collaborating with the Pakistan Cultural Society on this major event,” said Ros Rigby Director of Performance Programming, The Sage Gateshead.
To book tickets for the Abida Parveen concert on Sunday 16th July call The Sage Gateshead ticket office by contacting +44 (0) 191 4434661, alternatively visit www.thesagegateshead.org – tickets are priced at £18 / £6.
The Pakistan Cultural Society (PCS) Muslim Arts Festival 2006 will run from July 16th until August 8th. For a full program of events contact the PCS office on +44 (0)191 2743030, alternatively you can send your email enquiries to pakistanculturalsociety@btconnect.com.
PCS Festival in Brief:
Sunday 16 July: Abida Parveen in concert at The Sage Gateshead (World Music) – a partnership event between the PCS & The Sage Gateshead
Thursday 20 July: Arts and Islam – Cultural Seminar Day & Exhibition (The People’s Theatre – Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne)
Sunday 23 July: Qawwali Performance – Samsalamat at The Journal Tyne Theatre (featuring Bakhshi Javed Salamat & UK-based samba band Sambangra)
Saturday 30 July: Mushira (Urdu Poetry) – Gosforth Civic Hall (Newcastle upon Tyne)
Saturday 5 August: PCS & Kalapremi UK presents the superb BJS Qawwal (Bakhshi Javed Salamat) at an outdoor traditional Pakistani Qawwali concert on the grounds of the dli Museum & Durham Art Gallery; and is part of the World Culture 2006 Festival. This performance is the first stage of a 2-day event entitled Vividha (music & performing arts)
Tuesday 8 August: Bulleh Shah (drama play) performed by Ajoka Theatre from Pakistan – Gosforth Civic Hall (Newcastle)
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
