Lots of music to go around the world

Four music groups will come together on Wednesday to celebrate World Music Day with the French Institute and the Rialto Theatre at Heroes Square in Limassol.

The concert will begin with a performance by the teenage percussion group Drumble Beats, who also took part in the celebrations in Limassol last year. The group came together in 2013 and has been led by German drummer Roger Heinrich ever since.

The teenage musicians combine conventional drums and percussion with experimental instruments. Pots mix with drums, African djemble, typewritters, cans and electronic samples creating a unique musical blend of rock covers of Latin influences as well as their own tunes.

The band has performed in several concerts and festivals in Cyprus and Germany. They bring to the stage a blast of energy and a fresh sound that won’t have you sitting down for long.

The highlight of the evening will be Quartet Aleas from Toulouse, who will be the main band in this coming together of distinctive sounds. The band’s music is influenced by the common passion of its artists for oriental music and African sounds. The band consists of Cyril Laurent (saxophone), Stéphane Guionie (guitars, ney), Mathieu Jardat (bass, double bass) and Xavier Guionie (drums, percussion).

Folk and jazz music from around the world – but with a particular focus on Cypriot and Greek music – will be celebrated by Cypriot American singer and oboist Theodosia Roussos, who will share the stage for the night with guitarist Michael Day and violinist Mira Khomik. The trio will perform traditional songs from Cyprus as well as songs of Theodorakis, Hadjidakis, Aris San, Cat Stevens and jazz from France, Spain, Brazil, Cuba, Germany and America in their original languages. Roussos, Day and Khomik are all conservatory trained musicians who perform professionally in orchestras and jazz ensembles internationally in addition to teaching at universities. This eclectic trio combines their knowledge of improvisation into their repertoire and have created an imaginative programme for the World Music Day.

Completing the celebration will be the Symphonic Band of Strovolos Municipality – European University Cyprus, with conductor Yiannis Myralis. The band consists of students and professors of the music department of the university as well as individuals at a high musical level in a wind or percussion instrument. They will present original and arranged works from classical, jazz, pop, rock, cinematic and traditional music.

The event is part of the 12th Cyprus Rialto World Music Festival.

World Music Day
A celebration of music with the main band Quartet Aleas and more. June 21. Heroes Square, Limassol. 8.30pm. Free. Tel: 25-343900

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