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In an unprecedented move, the NUS Centre For the Arts collaborated with WOMAD to bring some of the top acts down to our campus for a night of music and fun.
Oh, and did we mention that admission was free?
There are three reasons why you should attend WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) next year, especially if the festival returns to NUS.
Reason #1: Shooglenifty.
The six "folk devils" from Scotland staged a frenetic and gusty performance that inspired some sixty NUS-ians, students and staff alike, to spontaneously flood the stage of the University Cultural Centre Theatre, jigging their feet to the energetic, Caledonian tunes.
Shooglenifty's performance represented what we felt was one of the most irresistible things about the performances that night: entertainment in pure celebration.
Reason #2: It is truly a festival.
Whether you're mingling with the throngs of Nordics, Africans and, of course, Asians, eating finger sandwiches and cookies in the foyer, looking over the colourful tribal instruments and jewelry, getting your palms read for love and luck, or simply basking in the revelry of drums and flutes conversing over the noise of the crowd, you can't help feeling you've stepped into a fresh, new world - a whole new world, in fact.
HOOKED was given the rare opportunity to talk to Etran Finatawa, a band from Niger, composed of ten men from two nomadic tribes, the Wodaabe and Tuareg.
This year, they were invited by NUS Chinese Orchestra to engage in a spectacular collaboration. Four orchestra members on the guzheng, erhu, Chinese flute and percussion, with four members of Etran on a guitar, Azakalabo (water flooding calebash in water beaten with a leather wrapped wooden stick), Odiliri (traditional flute) and vocals only rehearsed for an afternoon before the festival.
It was one of the most exciting experiences the African band had.
Bagui Bouga, 29, enthused: "We don't speak the same language, so the only way we could communicate was through music! We've traveled to many places... but this is the first time we've experienced Chinese music...and so intensely."
The collective certainly put on a tremendous performance, with the earthy rhythms of the African instruments, well-balanced and complemented by the sultry, lilting melodies of the Chinese ones.
Said Mr Lum, Music Director of the NUS Chinese Orchestra: "I enjoy exposing my students to such collaborations as it helps them develop musically... this kind of fusion also sows the seeds for a more unique sound in the orchestra."
Reason #3: Meeting people and making friends.
Even if you've attended the evening alone, you'd certainly leave with many delicious memories of dancing, eating and sharing random thought-tidbits with other attendees - NUS students, tourists, performers and staff.
There's something magical about listening to people making music they love; it makes you love them too - and everyone else who does. HOOKED
Photos courtesy of:
Shooglenifty: Sebastian of Youth.sg
Etran Finatawa: http://www.etranfinatawa.com/#con
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