Hi everyone, it is a week or so before the next BEMAC e-news comes out, but I wanted to share with you a couple of exciting events we have coming up in the next couple of weeks. Firstly, Anwar Abudragh will be touring Australia during the month of August and BEMAC are proud to present a series of workshops and concerts at BEMAC and Brisbane Powerhouse. Anwar Abudragh, born in Baghdad, lives in Belgium and performs and teaches throughout Europe and The States. He obtained a diploma from the institute of Music in 1991 and completed his Masters degree from the Faculty of Plastic Arts at the University of Baghdad in1995. He is currently completing a Masters of Musicology in Belgium.
The last great master, Munir Basheer played a major role in Abudragh's musical development. Under his direction and the supervision of the artist Nasser Shamma, Abudragh has participated as joze player in the group Al Baiyariq. He has also worked as a violinist in the Iraqi Symphonic Group. Abudragh taught at the Institute of Music as well as the School of Music and Ballet in Baghdad. He participated in several Arab and international festivals including in Belgium, Holland, Germany, France, Bourtougal, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. He currently works as teacher of music at the Arab Cultural Centre in Brussels. He also performs solo playing joze, ud and singing Maqam.
This is a wonderful opportunity to participate and experience a great international talent.
Anwar Abudragh
Iraqi classical music concerts and workshops, August 2009
Brisbane Powerhouse Concert
Sat 15 Aug 8pm
Anwar Abudragh, a soulful singer of classical Iraqi maqam and inspirational player of the oud (fretless lute) and joze (Iraqi spike-fiddle), performs at Brisbane Powerhouse, Saturday, 15th August.
Abudragh seeks to reinvent Iraqi maqam, by enriching the classical tradition with his musical experience in working with artists and musicians from different horizons. Accompanying him are Iraqi and local musicians on Arabic, Turkish and Persian instruments and the sensational dancing of Tamara Taylor. This varied concert will begin by introducing listeners to the rarefied and delicate sounds of classical Iraqi songs and improvisations, and ends with a large ensemble with Tamara leading an Arabic dance party. Your ears and eyes will be transfixed from start to finish with a plethora of unique instruments, rhythms and accents.
Tickets: full $27, conc $18
Bookings: 07 3358 8600 or Anwar's Powerhouse concert page
Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington St, New Farm
Iraqi Maqam Workshops
free for kids: Fri 7 Aug 4-6pm
$30 for adults: Sat 8 Aug 11am-3pm
Community Concert
Sun 9 Aug 12-1pm
In collaboration with BEMAC, Milpera State School and The Romero Center, Anwar will conduct practical and engaging workshops for musicians who like to sing or play Middle-Eastern instruments. Anwar will hold Iraqi Maqam workshops with teenagers from Brisbane's refugee community on Friday 7th August from 4-6pm. The workshop on Saturday 8th August will be tailored to adult singers and instrumentalists. Participants are not required to be able to read sheet music (although music will be provided). Students will be introduced to classical Iraqi Maqam, a traditional song, and we will also touch upon the takasim (improvisation). A Community Concert presented by BEMAC, BAMEDAM and The Romero Centre will include Anwar Abudragh and those students who wish to participate.
Location: BEMAC, 120 Main St Kangaroo Point (see attached map)
Community Concert tickets: $14 and $8 concession (under 16's free)
Bookings for Workshop and Community Concert tickets phone BEMAC: 3391 4433
For more information on Anwar Abudragh see:
www.maqamat.be
To enjoy Anwar's music visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05HtCZ49yQg&feature=related
BEMAC are also pleased to present a positive Hip Hop workshop with Melbourne based group Diafrix.
DIAFRIX
Diafrix’s urban music mixes traditional African rhythms with funk, ragga, soul and hip hop. With no swearing policy they will not offend but educate people through their flow. This is positive Hip Hop with a cultural bent.
Diafrix have established themselves over the last five years as one of Australia’s most exciting and original live acts. There’s no recycled funk here - it’s 100% original soul, dancehall and reggae-infused hip hop. Fronted by African-born MCs Azmarino and Momo and backed up by Haitian goddess Nadee. With lavish organic productions from Ptero_Stylus and cuts from Wax Vandal Diafrix know how to get the party started.
Born in Footscray, Melbourne at the cafe that bears their name Diafrix represent the motherland of Africa and refugees from all corners of the globe. They present are freshly honest look at the world and life in Australia. Establishing themselves on the Australian music scene since they took out Triple J’s Next Crop Award in 2005 Diafrix have performed at The Big Day Out, West Coast Blues & Roots Festival, Falls Festival and Meredith. Their last release "In Tha Place" was picked up by Triple J and Channel V and the group have been working on their debut full length album due for release later in 2008. The group connect with their audience in the most fundamental ways with soulful music and tight rhymes. Diafrix are one mighty fresh hip-hop crew with global appeal.
DIAFRIX WORKSHOP
Positive Hip Hop workshop
Description: Participants will have the chance to learn how to develop their own poetry - hip hop style, and beat boxing. There will also be an information session on the underground vs. commercial scenes.
Facilitators: MC Azmarino and MC Momo
Date: Saturday 8th August
Location: BEMAC, Yungaba, 120 Main Street, Kangaroo point
Contact: 3391 4433 for bookings
Duration: 1 hour
Participants: no experience necessary
Requirements: Each participant will need pen and paper
