All roads lead to Bridlington Spa this week as we gear up for the annual Musiport Festival, which will take place November 4-6, 2011. Musiport Festival is one of the friendliest and most intimate world music festivals and it promises us films, workshops, djay sessions, a free spectacular firework display as well as performances from top names in the world of global roots and grooves. The world will be converging on the East Yorkshire coastal town. Artists from Ethiopia, Gambia, Vietnam, DR Congo, New Zealand, Cuba, Portugal and South Africa just for starters.
Except for the free firework display this year, there’ll be no need to worry about the weather as it all takes place indoors at the Bridlington Spa which will hosts film screenings to include Benda Bililli, Jupiters Dance and Tsotsi.
Workshops will take place throughout the weekend and of course there’s some great acts in the purpose built theater complete with plush velvet seats. In fact there’s so much to talk about its difficult to know where to start, apart perhaps from mentioning some of the acts we’re looking forward to like Geoff Berner on Friday, fresh from his Victory Party tour, part klezmer, part stand up comedian and raconteur, he’s built up a cult following.
Amongst the great women are Mercedes Peon, Marie Boine and please let Mary Coughlan perform her rendition of “Love Will Tear Us Apart”. There’s plenty of new discoveries with intriguing names, star of the Edinburgh Festival, Boy with Tape on his Face and quirky pop duo Changing Horses, catch our attention.
Dancers will jump for joy as veteran Congolese musician Kanda Bongo Man takes to the stage. Andy Kershaw, DJ, globetrotter, presenter of the recent Music Planet series and all round world music enthusiast will be talking about his autobiography, ” No Off Switch ” and no doubt singing copies, just in time for Christmas presents. The Tashi Lhunpo Monks will open proceeding on Sunday offering a spiritual start to the day which will be the perfect start after a big Saturday night with Hugh Masekela topping the bill.
Friday 4th November
Asere with students of Headlands School (Music4U), Amsterdam Klezmer Band, Sail Pattern, Sea Fret, East Riding Youth Dance, Geoff Berner, Blair Dunlop, Kath Canoville’s Global Meltdown, Flying Chilli Beats, Sambalada.
Saturday 5th November
Hugh Masekela, Mercedes Peon, Mary Coughlan, Andy Kershaw, Asere, Cigdem Aslan, Claudia Aurora, Huong Than, Krar Collective, Chris Wood, The Boat Band, Celtarabia, Natalie Duncan, Fran Smith, Brigid Kaelin, Jasdeep Singh Degun, Trumpets of Death, John Wedgwood Clark, Lester Allen, Randolph Matthews and Byron Johnston, Danto Aya, Faerd Dorge Becker Hjetland , Changing Horses.
Sunday 6th November
Mari Boine, Kanda Bongo Man, Julaba Kunda, Iain Matthews, Boy With Tape On His Face, Tashi Lhunpo Monks, The Third Policeman, Deglulen, Freya Abbott & Ferguson, Sura Susso, Jonny Kearney & Lucy Farrell, Soznak, Kim Richey, Zion, Whiskey Dogs, Joe Solo.
Can’t wait…..day tickets and session tickets are available and there may just maybe some full weekend tickets left. Ring 0845 373 2760 / 01947 605089 for all tickets and detail. book tickets online here: Full weekend tickets are £110 – day and session tickets are now available.
Check out the Musicport Festival Website for more details and we’ll see you there.
Author: Jill Turner
Jill Turner contributes to Songlines Magazine, World Music Central and is on the fRoots critics albums of the year panel. Her radio show GondwanaSound broadcasts on Sheffield Live! 93.2FM to the fourth largest city in the UK and is carried on both Radio Groovalizacion and African Internet Radio.
