We are saddened to hear the news here at WOMADelaide 2012 Live that Benjamin Escoriza, singer with Radio Tarifa, died a couple of days ago after a long illness. Long-time attenders at WOMADelaide will remember him here at the Festival in the early days.  More information at: http://worldmusiccentral.org/2012/03/10/radio-tarifas-vocalist-benjamin-escoriza-dies/

Roger

On stage 2 at the moment is the Italian women’s choir La Voce Della Luna.  Some 50-strong women from Melbourne, of Italian backgrounds – from all over Italy – singing songs of love, of protest, of migration, of the seasons.  Various ages – up to 83 years young, various backgrounds and professions – united by a love of making music.

And cooking.  Several of them presented in Taste the World yesterday and audience members got to sample home-style Italian cooking.

They all came across to Adelaide on the train, since to leave any at home would be to cause huge social ructions within the community. What a trip that must have been, as they sang their way across the country.

So glad they made it.

They’re led by Kavisha Mazzella (singing, talking, playing guitar and accordion), and accompanied by Phil Carroll on accordion and flute.  It’s fantastic to see them here. A real community connection at WOMADelaide in 2012.

Roger

How come there’s always a group of people near me in the crowd, often right down the front, ignoring the music and talking loudly amongst themselves? No … not talking: SHOUTING!  Screeching even!  Why on earth are they at the gig?  Sure, it’s a great time to socialise and catch up with friends, but it’s a large site.  Plenty of spaces away from the music to exclaim about someone else’s daring do’s or latest conquests.  Go away from the music and don’t distract my enjoyment.  If you want to talk in the crowd, don’t do it near me!

Roger