2016 World Beat - Saturday, June 25
Amphitheater
3:45-4:30 Sakumuna: Sakumuna means “to bless” in Kikongo—a language spoken in several countries in central Africa. The band
was formed by a group of friends with diverse cultural backgrounds
and performs a variety of traditional and modern African music as
well as Caribbean and Gospel music. They sing in several languages
including French, Swahili, Kikongo and English. Sakumuna’s mission
is to bless hearts and lives through traditional and modern music with
songs mostly inspired by personal life experiences sharing a spiritual
message of peace, harmony, joy and love for their audience.
10:00 Opening Children’s Parade: Children and families
gather for this delightful parade to open the 19th World Beat Festival.
Led by our Cuban guests; Scouts, 4-H clubs and children in traditional
costumes from all over the world parade through the festival grounds
to the amphitheater.
10:15 Opening Ceremony: Welcome to the 19th World Beat
Festival! Opening remarks by Salem Mayor, Anna Peterson. Welcome
to our special guests as World Beat 2016 celebrates Cuba!
10:45-11:45 Sussefusse International Folk Dancers:
Portland based
Sussefusse (“sweet
feet” in German)
brings young
dancers in brilliant
ethnic attire to
the stage with an
exciting international dance set
choreographed by
Heidi Vorst.
12:00-1:00 Románce: This quartet plays traditional Latino
music and revives the
romantic and classical
boleros from the past.
They steal hearts with
their traditional music
and revive the essence
of Latino romanticism
by playing the musical
jewels of this genre.
1:15-2:00 Ballet
Folklórico Mexico en la Piel: In January 2008 in Hillsboro
Oregon, a group of talented individuals with years of experience in folkloric dancing got together to keep their wonderful tradition alive and share
it wherever possible in the state of Oregon. México en la Piel, was the
culmination of this dream: an organization dedicated to the preservation,
authenticity and growth of one of the most beautiful artistic representations from Mexican culture- ¡El Ballet Fólklorico Mexicáno!
2:15-3:15 The Mighty Dreadful Stringband:
Clayton Kaiser and the band hail from Seattle WA with their own brand of
bluegrass and country music. They have performed at the 2015 Northwest Folklife Festival and
the 2016 Galway Bay ABC
Festival. Steeped in rockabilly,
blues, and country repertoire, with a hint of music
originating in the mountains
and pastures of Britain and
Ireland, The Mighty Dreadful
Stringband brings a Cascadian edge to traditional bluegrass tunes with the energy of an Orca on
the hunt. These four down-to-earth musicians enjoy belittling themselves
and tongue-in-cheek sense of humor. You will not find such a dreadful
arrangement elsewhere.
5:15-6:30 Dina y los Rumberos: With a repertoire that
journeys through the best of Cuban and international music such
as Cuban son, salsa,
guaracha, bolero,
merengue and cumbia,
this talented group
possesses such a wide
range of interpretative
possibilities that they are
able to satisfy the most
eclectic array of fans.
All band members are
professional musicians
and graduates of the Music Conservatory in La Habana, Cuba. Led
by Raúl Martinez, Dina y los Rumberos win over crowds with their
versatile performances and innovative interpretations. You can’t help
but dance!
7:00-7:30 Cuban Dance Exhibition: Learn the moves
at the Americas Village, 4:30-5:30 pm., then join the bands at the
amphitheater for more Cuban rhythms!
8:15-9:45 Melao de Cuba: This Cuban salsa band has been
performing in the Portland area for over 10 years. Melao, the
Spanish word for molasses, is a group of talented Portland musicians
who come together to share the beauty and exuberance of traditional
Cuban music. A
truly versatile
band, Melao
de Cuba plays
Cuban Salsa,
Latin Jazz,
Afro-Cuban
influenced
music, Timba,
Rumba-Flamenco and
more! Melao
transforms
elements of
Afro-Cuban and
Spanish music
into vibrant,
danceable music that lifts your spirit and brings joy to your heart.
This Latin orchestra has a fierce horns section and solid salsa-inspired
beats meshed with Afro-Cuban rhythms that will make the audience
get up and dance!
10:00-10:50 World Beat Cultural Fire Dances
- Apuron Sisters: Blazing Fire Staffs.
- Shemadan: Candelabra.
- Polynesian Fire: Paradise of Samoa brings you Island Fire, an
important part of Polynesian culture displayed not only in mythology
but also in dance. Siva Afi or Fire Knife Dance is traditionally
performed by a Samoan warrior.
11:00 Saturday Night at the Festival ends.
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