Oldworld Theatre
In case you came in now, the Old World Theatrefest is on at IHC and this Saturday, it’s All About Women, directed by Hidaayat Sami, at 7 pm. And Sunday it’s the Habib Tanvir classic Raj Rakht in Hindi at 4 pm and 7 pm. Directed by Tanvir!
Soul Curry
The Sufi and Mystic Music festival Ruhaniyat 2008-09 comes back for the third year to Delhi at The Senate Gardens, Lutyens' Hotel, Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road next Saturday, December 13 from 6-00 pm onwards. The highlights of this year's event are Bektashi Sufiana songs by Sufi master Latif Bolat from Turke (from a Sufi order founded in the 13th century by Haji Bektash Velii; Sufiana Kalam by- Sawan Khan and Mamma Khan of Jaipur, Baul songs by the hot hollerer Parvathy Baul of Bengal, Punjabi Sufiana Kalam by the mostly-good Barkat Sidhu (Baba Bulleya, Baba F’reed and the gang); Jagar by Rakesh Bhatt and Group of Uttaranchal and qawwali by the fabulous Warsi Brothers of Hyderabad. Get donor passes at Rs 400 from Full Circle, Khan Market (24655641/2) and Greater Kailash I (29245641/ 2) or call Urvashi Amesar at 09324143598. (The cheapest ticket for Ian Anderson was Rs 1,100, to hear Anoushka play Pancham Segara once again with feelin, so wotthehell...)
Spanish Muse
Jazz, folk and world music at Teen Murti House Auditorium, all to be presented by the Embassy of Spain in India (it’s also happening at the Tollygunge Club in Cal and Armando’s at the Gonsalves Mansion, Panaji). Call the Spanish Embassy for passes at 4129300 or storm 12, Prithviraj Road. Jazz by Jaume Vilaseca (of ‘aqui i alla’ fame); folk by the sisters Sara and Maika playing as ‘Tukunak’ on the txalaparta, usually played by men; and worldmusic by Fran Perez, once a rocker, now fusing like mad with music from Brazil, Mozambique and so on, who plays as Narf (his name spelt ulta). The txalaparta (hear Txalaparta Express on YouTube to sample), started life as a Basque idiophone (percussion device), a big heavy wooden board banged with sort-of-lathis.
Spanish Muse
Jazz, folk and world music at Teen Murti House Auditorium, all to be presented by the Embassy of Spain in India (it’s also happening at the Tollygunge Club in Cal and Armando’s at the Gonsalves Mansion, Panaji). Call the Spanish Embassy for passes at 4129300 or storm 12, Prithviraj Road. Jazz by Jaume Vilaseca (of ‘aqui i alla’ fame); folk by the sisters Sara and Maika playing as ‘Tukunak’ on the txalaparta, usually played by men; and worldmusic by Fran Perez, once a rocker, now fusing like mad with music from Brazil, Mozambique and so on, who plays as Narf (his name spelt ulta). The txalaparta (hear Txalaparta Express on YouTube to sample), started life as a Basque idiophone (percussion device), a big heavy wooden board banged with sort-of-lathis.
The Basques beat it as funeral drums to summon the neighbourhood for a burial. They also used the device to beat the hell out of apples to make cider and once the deed was done, they beat the same board in a jolly way while the public sat around drinking the (fermented) fruit juice of their labour.
Colombia School
Not to be outdone, the Embassy of Colombia presents ‘An Evening of Music and Dance’ by performers from the Centro Cultural Llanero in Bogota, which is their national performing arts school that also presents shows around the world of their slice of fusion-rich South American culture. This event celebrates 50 years of India - Colombia diplomatic relations. Go see on December 12, at 7:00 pm at the Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre: advance notice!