Teresa C. | 04 Sep 2000

The third annual WOMAD festival looked promising as the stage sat idly on the grass of Fort Canning Park, the platform all prepped up for the festivities beginning on the first day of September. Since the World of Music, Arts and Dance was brought into local shores in 1998, Singaporeans have enjoyed the array of global performances which have catered to the active and family oriented, celebrating the diversity of the world's cultural and musical expressions.

Perhaps the highlight of the evening was Starlight at Starbucks, with Perfect 10 DJs Glenn Ong and Rod Monteiro, where the crowd had gradually gathered alongside the steps of the building leading to the café. Besides a short explanation about coffee and goodie bags for random members of the crowd who answered trivia coffee questions correctly, Singapore was also given a prelude of the exotic music they would be able to appreciate at the festival. First up was Sevara Nazarkhan from Uzebekistan with the doutar, a popular instrument in Central Asia originating from the 15th Century. Her expertise in playing the instrument as well as a superb vocalist has brought her much limelight in her homeland and her neighbouring countries, her strength in being able to straddle traditional Uzbek and contemporary music resulting in her clinching several awards. Her ease with folk rock and pop, as well as her ability to play other stringed instruments, creates distinctive electronic drum-beats unique only to Sevara.

The second group from South Africa, Tananas, is another astounding team. With each member living across cities and even continents, the time spent between Gito, Ian and Steve can amount to as little as six to eight weeks. But do not mistake the lack of time for lack of quality; expect instead a delightful spontaneous musical combustion bubbling with fresh sounds and ideas. Essentially an instrumental group, with minimum vocals in their tracks, each member brings out the best in the guitars and the drums, and just about any other melody they churn out.

France's finest were brought on to bring the prelude to a close, as the four guys comprising Les Yeux Noirs caught the crowd up in a string of boundless energy, technical excellence and a whirlwind of instruments with their excellent vocal unisons. Both joyous and nostalgic, plus a dash of spontaneity, the boys have broken through the cultural barriers to bring about universal consciousness and a rhythm too magical to resist.

A bash at Zouk rounded off the evening in a loud way as the pre-launch party featured Aboriginal star Jimmy Little, Australian ARIA award winner and the first of his race to become a star. His immense contribution to Australian music, which has touched several generations of his countrymen, have made him a legend on his own, eventually earning him membership with the prestigious Australian Country Music Roll of Renown. Besides Jimmy Little, U.K. DJ Derek also prepared his lethal set of Rhythm and Blues, his dance sessions guaranteed to get your feet off the floor.

Besides these special guest artistes, you can also catch Pato Banton, the Asian Dub Foundation, Hariprasad Chaurasia and other highly acclaimed artistes who have successfully used music to touch the souls of many. Also expect to get your feet massaged, get tips on organic food, natural healing and sound therapy; plus dance your heart away at the Late Nite Dance Club after the live performances on all three days. With all that squeezed into a mere three days, a steal would be underestimating the quality of this year's WOMAD. So what are you waiting for? You can be sure I am going to get my tickets this year!