WORLD MUSIC FEST

Were you there? The Southgate House was packed last night for the first annual (we hope) World Music Festival. World music was playing continuously with three different stages all night long. I got there a little late and missed Mohenjo Daro :( But I arrived during Baoku & The Image's Afro Beat show in the ballroom. I found Clara Matonhodze and her friend Simba, who are both from Zimbabwe enjoying the Afro Beat. After their set, I made my way up to the Parlour and ran into Gina Elliot listening to Made In Brasil. Gina was also escaping from all the Halloween parties this year. I agreed being transported to Rio and channelling Carmen Miranda was a much better way to spend the night than pushing through a crowded beer-soaked Halloween bash.
Back down into the Ballroom for West African Drum & Dance with Sogbety Diomande. I wish I had brought my camera! The drummers were excellent and the dancers encouraged audience participation. Clara dragged me onto the dance floor to learn some West African dance moves. Not too bad, if I do say so myself.
When Sogbety Diomande ended, we went up to the Lounge where the Reggae band Selecter was jammin. These guys are great! And, according to Clara and Simba, I have the moves! The lead singer of Selecter is an average-looking white guy who you would expect to find cheering at the Bengals game on Sunday. If you met him on the street, you would never guess that he could belt out the Reggae songs like Bob Marley. Crazy!
I looked out the front window at Newport on the Levee right across the street and considered the contrast between the Fest at the Southgate House and the pre-packaged, corporate entertainment available at the Levee. Don't get me wrong, corporate entertainment is fine from time to time, but I would bet most people at the Levee that night probably have no clue what happens at the Southgate House. I'm sure a lot of my friends don't. Most of them would never think of missing the Keimland Halloween party to go to a music festival.
One of the many wonderful things about last night was the diversity of the crowd. There were truly people of all ages and nationalities, and why not? There was such a diversity of music, you were bound to find something to like.
Back to the Ballroom to end the night with Salsa Caliente who, of course, did not disappoint. It's hard to sit still when that Salsa music is all around you.

Since you probably missed the World Music Fest, you can get a little taste of it at Stanley's Pub on Wednesdays when Selecter plays their Reggae music. See you there!