THE HUMAN RIGHTS ARTS & FILM FESTIVAL LAUNCHES FULL PROGRAM  FESTIVAL OPENS WITH PAUL SIMON DOCO UNDER THE AFRICAN SKIES 15 – 27 May 2012 MELBOURNE, 16 April 2012 – The fifth Human Rights Arts and Film Festival (HRAFF) will open on Tuesday 15 May with the highly anticipated documentary Under African Skies by award [...]

Africa’s premier diva, Angelique Kidjo, brings her brand of African soul to the stage along with special guest Keb Mo. Angelique Kidjo details Adelaide Festival Centre Address Festival Theatre King William RdAdelaide 5000 Transport Nearby Stations: Adelaide Telephone 08 8216 8600 Price from $72.35 to $96.00 Date Wed 04 Apr Open 8pm Adelaide Festival Centre details Map data ©2012 Google, [...]

Dobet Gnahoré stands at the frontline of West African music as a complete artist – singer, dancer, percussionist and songwriter. She merges African roots with the European influence of her French guitarist, partner and co-writer Colin Laroche de Féline, capturing a rare power in the delivery and purpose of her songs. Performances: SATURDAY 3/3/2012 3:00pm [...]

From out of the Western Sahara, Tinariwen strike up a stunning and rebellious new strain of ‘desert blues’. Ripe with electric guitars and rhythms inspired by the loping gait of the camel, Tinariwen’s songs echo with nostalgia for their ancient Touareg nomadic lifestyle and rage against the indifference to their plight. Tinariwen | Tenere Taqhim [...]

Despite being handicapped by polio and living rough on the streets of Kinshasa, Staff Benda Bilili’s singers, guitarists and percussionists have become a global sensation.  The pulse of their Congolese rumba echoes the sounds of Havana, Kingston and Harlem, and their energetic live performances are nothing short of joyous and inspirational. Performances:FRIDAY8:15pm – 9:30pmInternode Stage [...]

Long before Paul Simon went to Graceland, Johnny Clegg flouted apartheid laws in South Africa by forming the seminal mixed-race band Juluka in the 1970s. Teaming with Sipho Mchunu. Johnny’s sensational cross-cultural concept established the template for fusing Western pop with Zulu rhythms – English vocals fixed to an African heartbeat. Interview with Africanoz AfricanOZ [...]

On Thu 20 October 2011, Arts Projects Australia and Melbourne Festival present TOUMANI DIABATÉ at State Theatre, Arts Centre, Bookings: Arts Centre 1300 182 183 or Ticketmaster 1300 723 038   www.melbournefestival.com.au or www.theartscentre.com.au  “A genius of African music, the finest living exponent of the kora.”  THE GUARDIAN One of the world’s most breathtaking musical talents Toumani Diabaté is coming [...]

The nomination deadline for the African Chamber of Commerce National Awards is on 29 April 2011. Please nominate people and organizations (from all Australian states and territories) that deserves recognition at: http://awards.africomsa.org/award The Awards aim to recognise distinguished Africans and organizations supporting African communities in Australia. The UN has proclaimed 2011 as the International Year [...]

At WoMADelaide 2011: A chart-topper in Addis Ababa with his first solo album in 2003, Dereb Desalegn has made his home in Australia and won similar plaudits for his amazing voice. His current project, Dereb The Ambassador, features a seven-piece Sydney band reviving vintage soul masterpieces from Ethiopian icons Mahmoud Ahmed and Mulatu Astatqe. Friday – [...]

Rango Sudan Don’t miss it! Sonic voodoo from Sudan.  The Cairo-based Rango use ancient folk instruments to revive the sounds of darkest Africa, rooted in warfare, slavery, mystic conflict and powerful spirits.  Pounding, relentless songs from healing ceremonies and wild wedding dances meld elements of trance, ritual, exorcism, invocation and delirious celebration.  Friday – 6:15pm [...]

Great to see Nigerian-European artist ASA will be performing at Womadelaide in March. Smooth voice (we can’t get enough of), catchy pop with bits of r&b, world, funk, soul, reggae that’s oh so easy on the ears. Asa said, “I want to show the world that something beautiful and positive can come out of the [...]