LAST NIGHT OF THE RAINFOREST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL AT SANTUBONG     (中文)

Date: 09 July 2006
Written By: Yeoh Jun-Lin

Always a sad and happy night – Sunday night is the night to say goodbye to the festival and hello to another long year of wait before the next edition.

The last two nights at the Sarawak Cultural Village has seen a journey into a myriad mix of colours and music as well over 120 musicians are there doing what they do best. The usually sleepy Damai Peninsular came alive this weekend of July and it has been merry making as well as music making.

Workshops start at 2 pm : FEEL THE BEAT – another percussion workshop after yesterday’s loudest session so far, I AM WOMAN – two unique women get together to exchange songs, DRONES AND PIPES – an exciting search for hurdy gurdys, bagpipes and more, SWEET VIBRATIONS – a meeting of stringed instruments, THE LANGUAGE OF THE TABLAS – listen to these drums talk, THE FORCES OF NATURE – Korean samul nori culture explained, CHANSON ET RESPONDRE – another interactive singing workshop of Quebecois traditional songs, MENIGAL – Bidayuh interactive dance, and LUTES OF ALL SHAPES – some of the most sweetest instruments from all over the world.

ISTAMUZIKA, a band from Istana Budaya will start the evening show at 7.30 pm. They are brought in by invitation by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage in Kuala Lumpur. GENTICORUM will come on for the last time on Stage 2. The spiritual TENGIR TOO’s    performance is presented by The Aga Khan Music Initiative in Central Asia, and the band is being flown in to Kuching courtesy of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Chinese percussion will come from the PERSATUAN TRADISI ORIENTAL KUCHING, followed by the lyrical and irresistible KILEMA from Madagascar. CALLE SUR does their last set before LES YEUX NOIRS – the black eyed gypsies from France close the festival.

In traditional RWMF style, all the bands will then come on stage to take a final bow in the usually mad and spontaneous finale.

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.

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.

After tonight, there will be wild rumours flying around as to what will be happening for the 10th Anniversary of the Rainforest World Music Festival next year.

All will be revealed.

Yeoh Jun-Lin
Artistic Director
Rainforest World Music Festival