LAGOS BLACK HERITAGE FESTIVAL.... begins April 14
LBHF
2014
2014
This
year, the Lagos Black Heritage Festival takes a break from its current series –-
The Black in the Mediterranean Blue. While the Festival policy of a thematic
selection for each edition is not abandoned, it moves from the geographic
outlook to the disciplinary -- the
discipline for this year being: Music.
year, the Lagos Black Heritage Festival takes a break from its current series –-
The Black in the Mediterranean Blue. While the Festival policy of a thematic
selection for each edition is not abandoned, it moves from the geographic
outlook to the disciplinary -- the
discipline for this year being: Music.
The LBHF 2014 events
hold from April 14th through 21st at the Freedom Park (Old Colonial
Prison), I Hospital Road, off Broad Street, Lagos.
hold from April 14th through 21st at the Freedom Park (Old Colonial
Prison), I Hospital Road, off Broad Street, Lagos.
Much is
happening in the musical field, but there is a domination of Eura-merican pop forms,
which near completely stifles the exploration of indigenous musical resources
both in direct performance for audiences, and in their application to other
disciplines –- most notably in theatre and cinema/video. Regarding the latter, when one considers what
passes for incidental or ‘mood’ music in much of the output of the ever-expanding
African film industry, it becomes a classic case of a visual assault compounded
by aural aggravation! A reverse track may yet be brought about by exposing film
and video directors to possibilities from neglected musical modes within their
own cultural environment.
happening in the musical field, but there is a domination of Eura-merican pop forms,
which near completely stifles the exploration of indigenous musical resources
both in direct performance for audiences, and in their application to other
disciplines –- most notably in theatre and cinema/video. Regarding the latter, when one considers what
passes for incidental or ‘mood’ music in much of the output of the ever-expanding
African film industry, it becomes a classic case of a visual assault compounded
by aural aggravation! A reverse track may yet be brought about by exposing film
and video directors to possibilities from neglected musical modes within their
own cultural environment.
Traditional
drama was founded on what was generally dubbed ‘folk opera’, a form that is
largely dying out. Additionally therefore, in an attempt to resuscitate this
unique performance genre, so highly developed in other societies –- see, for
instance, the heights to which it has been taken in countries like China -- LBHF
yields Front Stage this year to Music, its fortunes under technological
enhancements and the proliferation of foreign music. Music, we know, plays a
dominant role in social life.
drama was founded on what was generally dubbed ‘folk opera’, a form that is
largely dying out. Additionally therefore, in an attempt to resuscitate this
unique performance genre, so highly developed in other societies –- see, for
instance, the heights to which it has been taken in countries like China -- LBHF
yields Front Stage this year to Music, its fortunes under technological
enhancements and the proliferation of foreign music. Music, we know, plays a
dominant role in social life.
The
Festival will use the event to also pay tribute also to pioneers –- such as Steve Rhodes –- whose struggling
orchestra and choral ensemble won laurels in famous international competitions
such as the Welsh Eisteddfod. It will provide a homecoming platform for
contemporary composers whose works have been enjoyed for decades by foreign
audiences but remain totally unknown in their own homeland.
Festival will use the event to also pay tribute also to pioneers –- such as Steve Rhodes –- whose struggling
orchestra and choral ensemble won laurels in famous international competitions
such as the Welsh Eisteddfod. It will provide a homecoming platform for
contemporary composers whose works have been enjoyed for decades by foreign
audiences but remain totally unknown in their own homeland.
Summatively,
LBHF plans to open the eyes (and ears!) of aspiring musicians to the vastly
unexplored possibilities of the musical forms right in their own backyards, as
an option to the largely imitative trend currently pursued by a new generation
of musicians. Innovative African music,
we propose, should not end with Afro-beat!
LBHF plans to open the eyes (and ears!) of aspiring musicians to the vastly
unexplored possibilities of the musical forms right in their own backyards, as
an option to the largely imitative trend currently pursued by a new generation
of musicians. Innovative African music,
we propose, should not end with Afro-beat!
DRAMA…. EXPOSITIONS…. FILM…. DO YOUR OWN THING etc.
etc. etc.
etc. etc.
As
always, the supporting cast to the main theme will be out in full form. There
will be at least two dramatic premieres, the ever-popular DO YOUR OWN THING, always a showcase of surprise talents and
unpredictable presentations. The WATER
REGATTA constantly outdoes its previous outing, festooning the lagoon in a
blaze of pennants and choreographed motions, while the STREET CARNIVAL continues to complement its Calabar sister Carnival,
which rounds up each year, even as the Lagos version ushers in the next every
Easter Monday. Not to be missed of course is the Grand Opening itself with its Ancestral Parade through the streets of
Lagos. And to inject continuing relevance and ancestral readiness to be pressed
into contemporary service, the Ancestors have a surprise appearance for mortal
beings in this edition.
always, the supporting cast to the main theme will be out in full form. There
will be at least two dramatic premieres, the ever-popular DO YOUR OWN THING, always a showcase of surprise talents and
unpredictable presentations. The WATER
REGATTA constantly outdoes its previous outing, festooning the lagoon in a
blaze of pennants and choreographed motions, while the STREET CARNIVAL continues to complement its Calabar sister Carnival,
which rounds up each year, even as the Lagos version ushers in the next every
Easter Monday. Not to be missed of course is the Grand Opening itself with its Ancestral Parade through the streets of
Lagos. And to inject continuing relevance and ancestral readiness to be pressed
into contemporary service, the Ancestors have a surprise appearance for mortal
beings in this edition.
From
ancestors to the living: the NIGHT OF
THE POETS celebrates the lyric voices of the living, then further down to
the next generation which is represented in the CHILDREN’S CARNIVAL, while their viewpoint of the world they
inhabit finds expression in VISION OF
THE CHILD, a competitive exposition through brush and paint, poetry and
prose, that seeks out, and gives pride of attention to the often unheard
questions and aspirations of creative minors.
ancestors to the living: the NIGHT OF
THE POETS celebrates the lyric voices of the living, then further down to
the next generation which is represented in the CHILDREN’S CARNIVAL, while their viewpoint of the world they
inhabit finds expression in VISION OF
THE CHILD, a competitive exposition through brush and paint, poetry and
prose, that seeks out, and gives pride of attention to the often unheard
questions and aspirations of creative minors.
Once
again, the state and city of Lagos roll out their mat of variegated colours and
textures to locals and visitors alike, saying – WELCOME!
again, the state and city of Lagos roll out their mat of variegated colours and
textures to locals and visitors alike, saying – WELCOME!
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