SATURDAY PARTY TIME AT THE RAINFOREST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL     (中文)

Date: 08 July 2006
Written By: Yeoh Jun-Lin

Saturday nights of the Rainforest World Music Festival has an atmosphere of its own.

Tonight will be the second night of the 3 day weekend. Crowds of people were clamouring to get into the Sarawak Cultural Village last night and the organizers of the festival, the Sarawak Tourism Board expect tonight to be even more packed than yesterday.

Afternoon workshops begin at 2 pm and will include: HIT ME! – which is all about percussion, BOXED IN – a look at dulcimers, STRINGS OF FIRE – look out for some devilish technique on the fiddles, MUSICAL JOURNEY THROUGH LATIN AMERICA – an overview of the many different styles found in the Americas, PRECIOUS CHINA – Chinese percussion instruments, URAN GAR – an interactive Mongolian dance workshop that emphasizes the use of graceful hands, BOLLYWOOD BHANGRA – a workshop that needs no introduction, WIND IN THE FOREST – a collection of all kinds of wind instruments, and KISSING COUSINS – a meeting of musicians of Sarawak with those from Madagascar.

BIRINGKENG TUA’AN of Bidayuh Sarawak will start the night performances and GENTICORUM will follow with more wit and stories. EGSCHIGLEN from Mongolia should not be missed if you like wonderful costumes and some of the most amazing sounds produced from the vocal chords. ALBIN PAULUS will appear for a short stint of showing off on Stage 2 before the MALAYSIAN DHOL FEDERATION crashes in with their mighty drums. AYNUR from Turkey is a delectable songbird who mixes the traditional and the contemporary. CALLE SUR will appear from popular demand while the wild boys from Scotland, the PEATBOG FAERIES will close the show.

The Sarawak Tourism Board is the organizer for the event and it is also supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia. They also have on board with them, Malaysia Airlines who is Official Airlines 9th year running as well as fROOTS magazine as Media Sponsor. DIGI is the official telco while supporting sponsors like Heineken and Water Genesis are also adding their support to the festival.

This is the 9th year of the festival and it is showing no signs of lagging.

Tickets are priced at RM60 and RM30 for children aged 3 – 12 years. Tickets might still be available at the gate.  Ring the Sarawak Cultural Village for more information -  082 846411.

Remember that this is a rain or shine affair and people from all over the world are gathering to have a glorious celebration of music.

Yeoh Jun-Lin
Artistic Director
Rainforest World Music Festival