An experimental musician revered for creating vivid 'sound spectacles', Hayashi's method of Wadaiko (taiko drum) solo performance requires an unprecedented level of skill and physical stamina.
www.eitetsu.net

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Musafir (meaning 'traveller') is an exciting fusion of folk and classical music, dance, acrobatics, magic and snake-charming, in the tradition of the ancient desert wanderers.
www.musafirmusic.com

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The world's greatest solo classical percussionist, Glennie is an avant-garde artist who sculpts the very nature of sound, taking her audience on thrilling, improvised musical journeys.
www.evelyn.co.uk

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The most travelled group in the history of the steelband, the 16 piece Renegades' Calypso interpretations of standards are a thing of genius.

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'Sega' is the traditional music from the days of slavery in Mauritius - and it hasn't lost its charm. Jalsa Creole's vibrant instrumentation and striking dancers stir up a frenzy of hot rhythms!

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Around 40 musicians from Adelaide will join forces with Singapore's Wicked Aura Batucada under the guidance of percussion maestro Ryszard Pusz for this, their final rehearsal for the Ashanti Parade. In the weeks leading up to WOMADelaide, Ryszard has worked with local musicians and high school students to devise and rehearse dynamic music pieces to accompany the Parade. The Parade will wind its way thru the Park on Sunday evening (starting in KidZone at 6.00 and running for around 20 minutes), involving hundreds of adults and kids who have made an item with artists Amanda King and Sue Davis throughout the weekend ... kids are encouraged to wear red, green and gold for the Parade!
W
www.wickedaura.com

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Crowd favourites from the annual Garma Festival in Arnhem Land, this is a rare chance to see an amazing group of songmen, musicians and dancers from Galiwin'ku and Milingimbi.
With thanks to the Yothu Yindi Foundation

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Led by the compelling Johnny Kalsi (also of the Afro Celts), the troupe beats out mesmeric, celebratory rhythms on huge dhol drums; large Indian wooden drums with two goat skin surfaces.
www.dholfoundation.com

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A classical dancer and choreographer, Vidyapathy is also well-known for his innovative mastery of Kandyan drumming with Western and Indian jazz and classical music.

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The cream of Adelaide's flamenco dancers, backed by an accomplished band and powerful singers with authentic Andalusian sound, perform with fire and passion.
www.users.on.net/~studioflamenco

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Led by their enigmatic singer-songwriter-guitarist Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, ex Yothu Yindi, and Manuel Dhurrkay, Saltwater are the new wave in contemporary indigenous roots music.
www.skinnyfishmusic.com.au

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Melodic, moving songs and unusual instrumentation, all delivered with more than a touch of humour, Bowditch is a rising star on the Australian folk/indie scene.
www.clarebowditch.com

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Rhythms of the Planet
Drawing from Indian and Turkish classical musics, Balkan and Middle-Eastern folk and jazz, this unique trio spins a hypnotic web of exotic sounds and collective improvisation. Kim Sanders, Bobby Singh and Steve Elphick will demonstrate a battery of instruments including mey (Turkish reed), Bulgarian and Turkish gaidas (bagpipes) and kavals (long wooden flutes), ney (Dervish flute), tenor sax, double bass, Indian tabla... and the unforgettable wail of the Aardvark will also be heard! They'll be talking about drones, 'bent' rhythms, Gypsy, Sufi, Indian and Turkish music, cross-rhythms, microtones and all kinds of other interesting stuff. Participation is encouraged but not essential. Kim, Steve and Bobby have conducted workshops at festivals, colleges and schools in China, Indonesia, India, France, England, Turkey and throughout Australia.
W
www.netspace.com.au/~kimsanders

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Born in Karbala where a tradition of female singers has been allowed to flourish, Farida is a leading exponent of maqam, an improvisational technique unique to Arabic music.
www.zamanproduction.com

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Proving that when young people find a voice, their confidence grows and their life can improve, the performances by these 42 teenagers from rural village schools are nothing short of inspirational.

The Golden Pride Children's Choir is still raising funds to come to Australia to perform in Perth, at WOMADelaide, and in Melbourne. The Choir is made up of 42 teenagers from three rural villages in Tanzania and featured in "From Rags to Rhapsody", an inspirational documentary that recently screened on Australian TV . For more information, or to make a donation towards the costs of getting the Choir to Australia, please go to www.goldenpridechoir.org

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Elaborately costumed and rich in philosophy, Wayang Orang is the dance-drama art of Indonesia, adapted from the Indian epics The Mahabharata and The Ramayana.
www.nanisoedarsono.com

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An icon of soukous dance and music, the effervescent Kanda burst onto the scene in the mid 80s - and people haven't stopped dancing. His music is irresistibly uplifting and optimistic.

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Now deservedly a star in her own right after working with artists such as Salif Keita, Mbassi's gentle African-roots and jazz-flavoured music exudes warmth and soul.
www.coco-mbassi.com

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Drums and Dancing
For a hip-shaking hour of rhythm and movement, Jalsa Creole will present a workshop covering traditional drumming and dance from the island of Mauritius. Using drumming games, vocal exercises, and a basic dance lesson, through fun and laughter, the audience will be asked to participate, and be able to experience the best of the Mauritian Sega; the traditional music from the island's days of slavery. Children and adults alike will appreciate the simplicity of learning about the Mauritian culture through its music and dance.
W

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