New Artists Announced For Womad New Zealand 2005

New Artists Announced For Womad New Zealand 2005

Fifteen new artists have joined the line-up of performers for WOMAD New Zealand 2005.

WOMAD New Zealand 2005 takes place at New Plymouth’s Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl from March 11-13 and will feature almost 400 performers from more than 20 different countries.

The additional artists include six New Zealand acts – Fat Freddys Drop, Katchafire, Mweya, Batucada Sound Machine, Ruia & Haakiwa and one of this summer’s hottest music acts, Lucid 3.

From across the globe, they will be joined by funky American Latino band Ozomatli- featuring Kanetic MC of Jurassic 5 fame, Ireland’s Tony MacMahon, the Adel Salameh Trio from Palestine and Algeria, and Australia’s festival favourite Xavier Rudd. Two of the Pacific Island’s finest indigenous performing arts groups; the Toelegu Panpipe Orchestra from the Solomon Islands, and Ballet Folclorico de Kari Kari from Rapanui (Easter Island) will also be gracing our shores. And finally a WOMAD exclusive – the long-awaited reunion of Patrick Duff and Alex Lee from the seminal UK band Strangelove.

WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) is set to be a visual arts feast as well with two international acts set to brighten up the festival. Cuba’s Mora Brothers are papier-mâché inventors extraordinaire known for their life-size replicas of shocking pink Chevrolets and gleaming Harley Davidson motorbikes. They will be working in

Kidzone.

And from Barcelona in Spain comes Osadia – a street animation company whose performances are based on the innovative concept of ‘hair art’. Using volunteers from the audience, Osadia uses a trunkload of accessories to create daring and original hair sculptures.

The newly announced artists join an incredible line-up of some of the most talented and legendary performers from around the globe delivering musical styles from folk to hip hop, classical to reggae beats, gospel to ska and everything in between, plus dance and visual arts.

Already announced is original Woodstock artist Richie Havens, Grammy Award-winning Kronos Quartet and Grammy Award-nominated reggae artist Alpha Blondy and his 16-piece band The Solar System.

Other international acts include Senegalese hip hop sensation Daara J, Aboriginal rock music pioneer George Rrurrambu and his new rock reggae band Birdwave, UK folk musician Jim Moray, France’s Les Yeux Noirs and Lo ‘Jo, Indian vocalist Rashid Khan, Israeli composer, violinist and oud (Middle Eastern lute) player Yair Dalal, celtic musicians Capercaillie, Zap Mama from Belgium and the Congo, Vusi Mahlasela from South Africa, Drum Drum from Australia and Papua New Guinea, and the Gyuto Monks of Tibet.

Other New Zealand performers include Mahinarangi Tocker, Rick Bryant’s Jubilation choir, Bravura with Jackie Clarke and Te Matarae I Orehu.

“WOMAD is a true celebration of world music, arts and dance and an opportunity to really recognise the diversity of performance art in the world. We are elated to be hosting such talented artists in the heart of Taranaki, and the additional artists announced today will bring new flavours to what is already a cultural melting pot of sights and sounds,” says festival director Roger King.

WOMAD New Zealand 2005 follows in the footsteps of the hugely successful inaugural Taranaki event held in March 2003 and attended 77by more than 20,000 people. Roger expects more than 30,000 people to come along to the 2005 event.

“Our pre-Christmas campaign resulted in sales being up 200 per cent compared with 2002/2003. We’re expecting a sell-out crowd.”

As well as the music, dance and visual arts performances, WOMAD will also feature artist workshops, a global food village, and a Kidzone, plus the option to camp at the adjacent racecourse or stay marae-style in the TSB Stadium.

“In 2003 we were astonished at the range of people who came along to WOMAD, from families with young children to elderly people, who all enjoyed the performance on display. WOMAD is an event for everyone.”

WOMAD is an international festival created by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Brooman 20 years ago. Since then 21 countries have hosted the festival and entertained millions of festivalgoers.

Tickets for WOMAD New Zealand 2005 are available through Ticketek. A three day pass costs $145, or $175 with camping, and day/evening tickets are also now available. Children under 12 years are free with an adult ticketholder (one child per adult). The full line-up and detailed information is available on the WOMAD website http://www.womad.co.nz

WOMAD NEW ZEALAND 2005 IS SUPPORTED & FUNDED BY THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS;

Core Funders: New Plymouth District Council; The TSB Community Trust

Event Partners: Shell NZ Ltd; Todd Energy

Programme Partners: The Radio Network; Tui Ora

Event Sponsors: Boon Goldsmith Bhaskar Team Architecture; Kawaroa Consultancy Ltd; Robert Angus Real Estate

Event Supporter: Creative New Zealand

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