Sharjah World Music Festival set for bigger second edition

The Sharjah World Music Festival is back with more artists and venues.

Kadim Al Sahir. Courtesy Sharjah Wolrd Music Festival

The second edition of the Sharjah World Music Festival begins on Friday and it promises to be bigger and better than last year's successful inaugural event.
The eclectic gathering, which runs until January 25, boasts a star-studded line-up featuring some of the brightest stars from the region, in addition to international talent and a few local heroes.
The festival organiser and guest artist Furat Qaddouri says the event returned due to popular demand.
"If the first one hadn't gone so well then definitely it wouldn't have come back," he says. "Since the end of the festival last year, I have been getting constant requests of when it would return and what it would be like.
"I am glad that after all this work, the team is able to put on what I think will be something great."
Spreading the love
While last year's inaugural event was held within the confines of the picturesque Al Qasba, the follow-up has four additional venues showcasing the greenery and family-friendly atmosphere of the emirate. The Iraqi superstar singer Kadim Al Sahir will open the festival and, due to his popularity, he will perform at the Al Majaz Amphitheatre. The remaining gigs will be spread across the Al Majaz Waterfront, Heart of Sharjah and Flag Island.
Big names
It doesn't get much more A-list in this part of the world than Al Sahir. The 57-year-old has been one of the leading stars of the Arab-music scene for nearly three decades, with an enviable back catalogue showcasing his wide range of styles, from folk and pop to the operatic.
His appearance at the event is a big coup and, with the gig on Friday already a sell-out, it is guaranteed fans will be flocking to the event from all over the Emirates.
Egypt's Ines Abdel Dayem will take to the stage at Al Qasba Theatre on January 21. She is one of the most celebrated flautists in the Arab world, having performed with the International Unesco Orchestra in France, in addition to international recitals.
She will be supported by her compatriot, the acclaimed marimba player Nesma Abdel Aziz, who, after making a statement performing as part of legendary composer Omar Khairat's orchestra, is now ready to shine in her own light. She will play selections from her upcoming debut instrumental album.
On January 22, the Syrian Female Oriental Band will showcase the country's rich musical heritage. The ensemble of acclaimed musicians will arrive in the UAE having completed tours of Europe and the Middle East.
The Syrian singer Lena Chamamyan will perform on January 24 at the Flag Island Amphitheatre. Lauded by the regional music press as one of the most technically gifted vocalists of her generation, she has toured internationally, including a recent performance at London's famed Barbican.
The closing performance of the festival, on January 25, also at the Flag Island Amphitheatre, will be by the Lebanese chanteuse Oumeima El Khalil. She will perform a selection of traditional folk songs along with original compositions that include lyrics by some of the Arab wold's most renowned poets, including Mahmoud Darwish, Badr Shakir Al Sayyab and Mohamed El Abdallah.
The free gigs
The musical entertainment will not be limited to the major stages. From January 17 to 20, the Al Majaz Waterfront and the Heart of Sharjah will host five artists performing free evening concerts. The series will begin on Saturday with Qaddouri leading a 12-member choral group at the Al Majaz Waterfront.
"It is one of the first Arabic choral groups in the country," he says. "We are hoping that with this exposure to the public we can build more numbers and perform the key classical songs from the Arab world."
Playing at the same venue the following night will be the Moldovan violinist Pasha Cazan.
On January 19, the Heart of Sharjah will host the Canella Trio, who will entertain the crowd with their Latin fusion. The same night, Dubai-based Sadiq Jafar will perform his evocative brand of oud instrumentals, accompanied by a flautist and Indian tabla percussionist.
Dubai's guitar virtuoso Kamal Musallam will round off the free events on Tuesday at the Heart of Sharjah, in the company of Italian vocalist Francisca Palamidessi. For the Jordanian axeman, the Sharjah World Music Festival marks a welcome and long overdue return to the emirate.
"It has been nearly 10 years since I performed there," he says. "The community there is very knowledgable and cultured when it comes to the arts so I hope this performance will be the first of many more."
The missing link
Musical consistency forms the overarching goal of the festival, says Qaddouri, who hopes it will not only become a permanent fixture in the UAE's music calendar, but also trigger a whole new wave of concerts in the emirate.
"If I have it my way, there will be great concerts in Sharjah throughout the year," he says.
"This emirate is known for its sophisticated outlook when it comes to culture and it already hosts arts and books festivals and events. The only thing missing here is music.
"Hopefully that will change and music will go on to play a big part in Sharjah."
. The Sharjah World Music Festival runs from January 16 until January 25. For ticket details visit www.ticketmaster.ae
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