World music showcase Mundial Montreal revealed the full program of the 2018 edition. The event will take place November 13-16, 2018 in Montreal, Canada.
This year’s theme is Mosaic Music. “In Canada there is a mosaic of immigrant influences, where retaining heritage is encouraged, and identity is meant to be expressed, from all corners of the world. We distinguish ourselves with an emerging awareness of the land we have colonized. Everyone but the Indigenous people are immigrants! It is a slow and sometimes painful process, but as we learn more from Indigenous people, we are creating a society that is a model for the world. Harmony, respect, awareness, sensitivity, these are the touch stone words swirling around Mundial Montreal, Canada’s Music Mosaic, in motion,” said Derek Andrews, Artistic Director, Mundial Montreal.
The opening night will feature a mosaic of female-fronted groups artists from different backgrounds, starting with Polish chant group Blisk (Toronto), followed by Haitian-Canadian singer Mélissa Laveaux (France/Canada), janggu percussion master Kim So Ra (Korea), Eastern European electro-folk experimentalists DoVira (Toronto), and finally rumba-flamenco party-starter Marinah (Spain).
Mundial Montreal is also collaborating with KAMS (Korea Arts Management Service)/PAMS (Performing Arts Market Seoul) for the third year in a row to co-present opening night’s music and mingling.
Canada’s diversity will be represented this year with 20+ artists from a large array of backgrounds, including Montrealers Ramon Chicharron (Colombia) and Waahli (Haiti), Torontonians Okan (Cuba), BC-based Farnaz Ohadi & Mashregh Ensemble (Iran) and Itamar Erez (Israel), Gordie Mackeeman and his Rhythm Boys from PEI, and many more.
Adding to international diversity in the program, Mundial will present Fränder (Sweden), Miroca Paris (Cape Verde), and funk-inspired Mardi Gras Indians Cha Wa (USA).
The week will end with a closing party featuring Montrealers Nomad’Stones (2018-19 Révélations ICI Musique), Ayrad (launching their new album!), and Daby Touré (pre-premiering his new show!).
The lineup includes Atlantic String Machine, Aurora, Ayrad, Blisk, Cha Wa, Clarinet Factory, Daby Touré, DoVira, Elle Márjá Eira, Emily Wurramara, Farnaz Ohadi & Mashregh Ensemble, Fränder, Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys, Itamar Erez, Jeremy Dutcher, Kim So Ra, Kolonien, Marinah, Mélissa Laveaux, Miroca Paris, Nomad’Stones, OKAN, OktoEcho, Perséides, Ramon Chicharron, Riit, Sina Bathaie, Silla and Rise, Socalled, Tamar Ilana & Ventanas, Urban Science Brass Band and Waahli.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
