News

WOMADelaide, celebrating its 25^th anniversary in Adelaide’s Botanic Park from 10-13 March, today released its third and final program announcement, which includes the radical ensemble redefining the Tango, Orquesta Típica Fernández Fierro, the brand new side project of Grammy-winning improvisational jazz group Snarky Puppy, Bokanté and the Emmy Award-winning Toni Childs.

Leading the announcement is Argentina’s Orquesta Típica Fernández Fierro, a 12-piece ensemblefounded in 2001 that has been shaking up the Tango scene ever since. With their violent sound and ferocious on-stage energy, they play Tango as it was meant to be; not polished to a fine art, but raw, dirty and passionate.

Joining Orquesta Típica Fernández Fierro is the innovative 9-piece musical project Bokanté. The brainchild of two-time Grammy award-winning guitarists Michael League, Chris McQueen and Bob Lanzetti of Snarky Puppy, Bokanté features musicians from four continents whose debut album spans everything from Zeppelin-esque blues stomp to folkloric Caribbean music.

With three hit albums and success across the globe, the Emmy Award-winning, Grammy nominated Toni Childs will make her WOMADelaide debut this March. For decades the Australian-American singer has been celebrated for her powerful lyrics and unmistakable voice.  A sonic explorer who has collaborated with Peter Gabriel, Al Green and the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, in more recent years Toni has become an advocate for ending violence against women and a yoga teacher.

Other international highlights include the powerful and evocative voice of Honduras’ Aurelio, the Flamenco-meets-electronica of Spain’s Fuel Fandango, the guitar-driven Bamba Wassoulou Groove from Mali, featuring members of the legendary Super Rail Band and the Super Djata Band,Icelandic minimalist techno duo Kiasmos, house and disco DJ Rahaan from the USA and the unique vocals and percussion of Israel’s The Piyut Ensemble, who are making their international debut.

Amongst the expansive international lineup are outstanding homegrown Australian talent, including 2016 ARIA Award winner Montaigne, Darwin’s soulful singer-songwriter Caiti Baker andAdelaide-based artists Jesse Davidson, MANE, Aaron Thomas and Kelly Menhennett.

Also announced today is respected Aboriginal elder and unofficial ‘Godfather of Indigenous Theatre’ Uncle Jack Charles who will be joining his close, longtime friend Archie Roach in an extraordinary Artist In Conversation session entitled Healing & Empowerment Through the Arts.  

Other exciting additions for the program ‘around the park’ include nightly screenings of Allegoria Sacra by the internationally celebrated Russian artist collective AES + F from the collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia and performances fromFrench street theatre company Cie Ekart with Les Dodos - two intrepid explorers on an urban safari, riding giant dodos!

Director, Ian Scobie said, “The addition of these extraordinary artists from as far afield as Argentina, Israel, Honduras, Iceland and Guadeloupe means that WOMADelaide’s 25^th anniversary will bring artists from 31 countries to our wonderful audiences in Botanic Park for one of the most exciting and diverse programs we’ve ever been able to present. It is truly ‘the world’s festival’.”

THE FULL LIST OF ARTISTS ANNOUNCED TODAY IS –

• Aaron Thomas (Australia)
• Aurelio (Honduras) - exclusive
• Bamba Wassoulou Groove (Mali) - exclusive
• Bokanté (USA/Guadeloupe) - exclusive
• Caiti Baker (Australia)
• Fuel Fandango (Spain) - exclusive
• Jesse Davidson (Australia)
• Kelly Menhennett (Australia)
• Kiasmos (Iceland)
• MANE (Australia)
• Montaigne (Australia)
• Orquesta Típica Fernández Fierro (Argentina) - exclusive
• Rahaan (USA)
• The Piyut Ensemble (Israel) - exclusive
• Toni Childs (USA/Australia)
• Uncle Jack Charles (Australia)

Plus - 

• AES+F “Allegoria Sacra” (Russia) – video installation
• Alma Flamenca (Australia) – Flamenco dance workshop
• Cie Ekart – “Les Dodos” (France) – street theatre
• La Bomba (Australia) – Afro-Latino dance workshop