Tuesday 22 June Villa des Orangers Marrakech Great stuff! As in not! My back has siezed up - will have to change plans. I am dictating this to John - it's about time he earned his keep!
But it's hot and sunny and resting in this beautiful riad hotel is a pleasure. Everyone's talking about the festival. Hope I'll be up to dancing.
Portugal 7 North Korea 0 - That's a surprise.
Off now to have a facial.
Wednesday 23 June
Drove to Essaouira - half motorway ( great), half rubble ( awful). Hobbling around with stiff back. Lovely welcome from friends.
Got our Press badges. Yeah!!!
Thursday 24 June Essaouira
Fantastic opening ceremony in square opposite room. Gnaoua groups, tribesmen on horses, music.
First set in evening at Moulay Hassan. The maalem brothers Kouyou and Georgian dancers. Brilliant contrast dancing. Took photos from edge of stage with the professionals!
Second set was the wonderful Maalem Hassan Boussou.
Missed the Armenian Navy Band, though, who I really wanted to see.
WEDNESDAY 30TH JUNE - WINCHESTER ENGLAND (BACK FROM THE FESTIVAL).
THIS HAS BEEN MY FIRST ATTEMPT TO SAME-DAY BLOG AT THE FESTIVAL USING MY I-POD. NOT BAD REALLY, I THINK. HOWEVER, WE JUST COULDN'T GET A SIGNAL AFTER FRIDAY, PLUS WE WERE FAR TOO BUSY/EXHAUSTED TO KEEP IT UP.
ANYWAY, HAVING SPENT FOUR EVENINGS/NIGHTS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE MUSICIANS AND DANCERS, I'M GOING TO START AGAIN FROM THIS NEW PERSPECTIVE.
THE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE FANTASTIC. NOT BAD USING A LITTLE LUMIX (WHICH OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS LAUGHED AT.)
IT'LL TAKE ME SOME TO COMPLETE THIS (BECAUSE YOU ALL NOW KNOW THAT MY BACK HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY COMPROMISED) BUT BE PATIENT - IT WILL BE WORTH THE WAIT.
FINALLY, A BIG HI TO U-CEF. SORRY YOU MISSED OUT ON SOME KIP ON THE PLANE! I'D LOVE BE YOUR FRIEND ON FACEBOOK - BUT JOHN WILL HAVE TO DO IT FOR ME. SO, PATEINCE.
To read my complete report on the Festival and to view the many photographs I took, click onto The Wonder and Beauty of Gnaoua and World Music - Essaouira 2010
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
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3 comments:
Well enjoy your festival you lucky thing. But I've just been invited to an arabic wedding and believe me they are special... There's a women only band who perform at the Bride's Night Party ... wow.
Love to you and John
Dorothy
Inch'allah
Hi Dorothy. Sorry it's taken me a while to reply. Hope you enjoy your wedding. You'll be interested to know that the one and only female artist was sensational - Raissa Fatima Tabaamrant. I took some wonderful photos of her, which will be on my 'the wonder' post (eventually!) By the way, are you thinking of coming to see Madness at the Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza on Saturday 7th August? If you are and need a ticket, you'd better bag one soon -John still has a few left. I shall be taking my trusty little Lumix. Still shedding tears over Mitzi - she's left such a gap in our lives although I can almost hear her tell me not to be so stupid and get on with enjoying life. She's pretty scary even from 'the other side.' And by the way, you left a message about a CD. Is that a coded Russian spy message or what?! Love from us both xxx
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