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For
a whole month Liverpool will come alive with the sights and sounds
of Arabic culture when the city hosts the third Arabic Arts Festival
– the UK’s only dedicated Arabic event.
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| Al
Ahmadu |
Bigger
than ever, this year’s festival brings together artists from
Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine and Britain
providing many opportunities to enjoy and participate in a range
of art forms and activities reflecting different aspects of Arabic
culture.
This
year’s line-up involves venues all over the city and features
many aspects of local and international Arabic culture from traditional
Yemeni music to contemporary Morocc’an roll, from hands on
architecture workshops to talks on faith and cultural influences.
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| Susan
Hefuna (self-portrait) |
This
year’s highlights include the following (unless
otherwise stated, tickets available from Bluecoat Box Office):
Al
Ahmady (Palmhouse, Wed 30 June), a seven strong group of musicians
from Yemen whose music reflects the different musical influences
of their home-town Mukalla.
MOMO
(Bluecoat, Fri 9 July), MoMo (Music of Moroccan origin) are the
Dons of Dar (digital and roots music), fusing deep traditional Moroccan
roots music with trance, techno and even deep house. Popular at
major festivals worldwide and in their Moroccon homeland.
Film
Season (3 – 29 July) Presented in association with FACT
and the Philharmonic, featuring the controversial documentary Jeremy
Hardy Versus The Israeli Army and the 1965 epic The Battle of Algiers,
amongst others.
Natacha
Atlas (Liverpool Philharmonic Hall), Sat 3 July), the award-winning
diva of the Arabic music scene makes her Festival debut with in
a stunning stage show. Natacha is an inspiring exponent of both
shaabi, Egypt's indigenous bluesy pop and classic film music of
the Arabic speaking world, as well as raqs sharki (belly dancing
The
Arabic Weekender (Bluecoat Arts Centre, Liverpool Museum and
Shisha Café Fri 9 – Sat 11 July), three festival hotspots
bring together a programme of music, dance, hands on workshops and
food in a family friendly experience.
Ludus
Dance Company: Ten (Bluecoat Arts Centre, Thu 8 July 8.00 pm)
the renowned Lancaster-based dance company bring together five women
from the UK and five women from Egypt in an evening of thought-provoking
physical theatre.
Raks
Mabrouk: Celebration of Dance! (Bluecoat Arts Centre, Fri 16
July 8.00 pm) and Raks Mabrouk Masterclass with Caroline Wright
(Sat 17 July), a gathering of Merseyside teachers and students of
raks sharki (belly dance) plus a master class by Caroline Wright,
one of the country’s most inspiring exponents of this most
celebratory dance form.
Look
out for the music and Egyptian brick making workshops at Liverpool
Museum and for a real taste of the festival, visit Shisha, a traditional
Arabic café and Kimos Cafes, both serving the finest Arabic
cuisine.
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