WOMAD

Adult and Children workshops

18:00 23rd April on the Trispan

Siyaya Biography

The Shona name 'Siyaya' means 'We are on the move'. This high-energy group of musicians, percussionists, vocalists and dancers have offered up some remarkable performances in recent years. Their shows encompass universal themes and traditional stories, interwoven with a passion and a level of humanity deeply rooted in Zimbabwean culture.
The group originated in Bulawayo where they have constantly worked with young people through schools and community programmes, nurturing talent and proving that the arts can continue to nourish and sustain communities during political upheavals and instability.
Siyaya is colourful, climactic and bursting at the seams with energy. As one performer explains: 'For us, song and dance is not a luxury, but a necessity'. The group's rousing music, soaring lyrics and tightly choreographed dance transcends the language barrier. They are a veritable tour de force of African forms - traditional and contemporary.
(Biography supplied by artist management- 2011)

www.siyaya-arts.com

Malarky Biography

Malarky is a cooperative of multi-skilled artists based in South Wales. Andy O'Rourke the co-ordinator is a visual artist who has been designing and creating carnival costumes for the last 12 years. Malarky may be found stomping around in giant costumes or making medieval armour with a hoard of primary school warriors. Chris Wood, Gawaine Webber and Dom Williams bring their varied skills such as welding, wood turning and graffiti and a rich imagination when it comes to transforming a room full of treasure and junk into vibrant pieces of art; Malarky delivers great art.

Malarky...
www.malarkyarts.co.uk
the other guys...
Chris - www.woodartworks.co.uk
Dom - www.dommunism.com

Ranbir Kaur Biography

Creating a series of kolams/rangoli (decorative ground designs) within Womad 2000’s festival sites will be Indian artist, Ranbir Kaur.Over the last ten years, since taking up residency in the UK, Ranbir Kaur has worked as an artist to raise the profile of the arts and crafts of Asian Women, which are an integral part of daily life for Asian women throughout the world. Her work within the field of arts and education has helped to engender a strong sense of identity, self-respect and confidence among Asian communities in the UK.Kaur’s early life was spent both in India and Uganda, before moving to the UK in 1989 and has worked extensively in her field as an artist and teacher. She believes that art is a powerful tool for communication, which can create harmony and understanding. Her latest work is the creation of an enormous (the largest ground painting ever) rangoli for Birmingham’s millennium celebration, Revolution.Kaur’s works created with chalk, paint, sugar paste, petals, rice and other grains will represent the day-to-day life of the festival programme and its spirit.

Hamid Baroudi Biography

Restless - and uncategorisable - globetrotter

When most Algerian singers go into exile (often because of pressure from the authorities back home), they tend to pitch up in either Marseille or, more likely, Paris. Very few - in fact, we can't think of another - opt for a life in Germany. Hamid Baroudi did, settling in the historic city of Kassel after some time spent on the French side of the border. He came to prominence in the late '80s as the lead singer of Dissidenten, the politically motivated world beat band. Hamid's subsequent solo career has seen him flit nomadically between styles and genres with reckless abandon. Indeed, if you like music that's utterly mongrel, that picks and mixes from across the board, then Hamid's your man. Algerian rai, rock, Brazilian coolness and rap are but four identifiable elements in his music. "I make it difficult for people to pigeonhole me," he declares, barely concealing his glee. "That gives me a kick. People ask 'What kind of music do you play? Is it ethno, pop, rai, techno, folklore or modern?' Sorry, but that's not my problem. It was my problem before I composed it. Now the ball's in your court..."

http://www.hamidbaroudi.com

Biog by Nige Tassell

Siyaya Products At Our Store

• Africa Calling