GRASSROOTS 2007
7th Annual Grassroots Free Festival
On Sunday 19th August, Hull’s Pearson Park will be transformed as the seventh annual Grassroots Festival gets underway.
From 11 am until 7 pm, this year’s Grassroots extends to six music stages, and five festival tipis. Enjoy summer music all afternoon on the World Music Stage, join the Full Flava hip-hop stage and breakdancing ring, and groove to the Funkywormhole Soundsystem. Check out the Media Van young band stage, Lamp acoustic stage and summer food café, and brand new for 2007, festival music screenings in the Hull Film marquee.
Watch out for stalls, food, breakdancing, rap battling, beat boxers, capoeria and Chinese dragon and sword dances.
Join in music and dance workshops in the Wolf Glen Tipi Village.
Come for Sunday lunch and stay all day.
Organised by Rich and Lou Duffy-Howard and David Okwesia, The Grassroots team said, “Celebrate seven years of Grassroots with the most eclectic mix of local and world dance, music and art”.
What’s on:
World Music Stage
La Cédille
Following an incredible sell-out show at the Lamp last year, Grassroots presents the return of LA Cédille’s explosive African French hip-hop jazz-fusion. At times they soar, at times they scat but whatever your mood La Cédille will move you. Their songs reflect the African heritage of the band's two front men. The description of the meeting of these two cultures in the band’s rapid-fire hip-hop style yet smooth tones of the French language makes for a unique experience. The band haven’t forgotten their French heritage, with a distinctly jazzy feel to their songs which incorporate a brass-section featuring trombone and sax. From the Chocolate Fireguard label, La Cédille continue to play across France and Switzerland including a slot at Montreux Jazz Festival, Jay Dee supports at Le Divan du Monde, Paris, Glastonbury Festival, and most recently amazing performances at Les Francofolies de Montreal, Le Monde Hip-Hop Vidéotron, Quebec, Canada.
Koshka
A must–see rare live show by Koshka performing Gypsy jazz, beautiful Russian airs, cafi-style music, and some pieces in homage to the Hot Club style of Grapelli and Reinhardt.
Based in Glasgow since their formation in 2001, Koshka came together as a result of Oleg Ponomarev, Nigel Clark and Lev Atlas’ mutual love of music as diverse as classical, folk, and hotclub. Although no strangers to the big stage, having played to thousands during their respective careers, Koshka honed their sound playing intimate shows at Russian Café Cossachok and have rapidly become an in demand world music act.
What distinguishes Koshka as a world class act, is not only the individual members’ virtuosity, but also the fact that they play almost entirely original material, composed by Oleg Ponomarev, widely recognised as one of the leading composers of contemporary world music.
‘The hottest gig in town’ Fiddle 2002
The Sorry Loves
Members of Fila Brazillia, Salako, Concrete Breaks, Homespun and Spacemaid and Mugpunter create a mixed goody bag of tunes from their new album.
Gul Naz
Gul Naz play an irresistible mix of traditional and contemporary Kurdish music, bringing some special guests from London and Cardiff this year. Their infectious rhythms are performed on keys, dumbek, duduk, daf, electric saz and violin. Led by Dilzar Shanga, who has just released his debut album ‘Tom Xos Dewe’. They will be playing music from the album, which will be available at the festival. Enjoy the dance.
Zoobin Surty presents Karma Dance
Karma Dance is a new electrifying dance with SAA UK’s Zoobin multicultural journey of Indian classical / folk & contemporary Bollywood dance. Zoobin recently artistically directed & choreographed York’s "Bollywood Fever" and in June 2007, he directed the choreography for the “Bollywood Jane” production at the West Yorkshire Playhouse - an official IIFA (International Indian Film Awards) event.
7 Hertz
Seeds and Bridges presents from Leeds, 7 Hertz, playing contemporary improvised chamber/folk/jazz on violins, clarinets and double basses. During the day they will be performing around the Grassroots festival - in the evening they will play at the Lamp.
http://www.myspace.com/the7hertzband
Sounds of the City
A special Grassroots main stage opening set from DJs Sheik and Andy R from Sounds of the City playing an eclectic urban mix of world, roots, jazz and blues.
Karl Culley
We welcome Karl back after an amazing performance at Grassroots psychedelic folk night at the Lamp last month with Hotel Brown. Spell-binding acoustic genius, a truly amazing performer. Hope he plays ‘Elephant Juice’.
Full Flava Stage
Founder and member of Full Flava since 1995, Young Flava and Streetlife, DJ Redlocz presents the Full Flava hip-hop stage all afternoon. Artists include the legendary Kamanchi Sly, Skinnyman, Da Original Killah, DJ Tipztar and Kye, 'Skilf and Deep Blak featuring Astro Physics, Muna Productions Presents Projekt Feenix (Redeye-Jinx a.k.a. Muna, Hekima, DJ Severe, SI2, Young Salem), from Holland - Formal Thugz (whose biggest performance until Grassroots is performing for the Dutch Queen!), Alphabetix, Hooligan Gang, Fast-T, DJ Severe and Fresh Jive.
Full Flava Boxing Ring Stage
Open mic sessions, open stage beat boxing, individual performances, break dancing, and 8 Mile style rap battles will take place at intervals throughout the day.
Capoeira Brazilian dance – prepare to be amazed!
Funkywormhole Sound System
Classic tunes all afternoon and The Talks live performance.
Media Van Young Bands Stage
Creative Projects mobile media centre stage features young musicians, many still at primary school. Headliners are "Painted Pink", an all girl band who are definitely rising stars. They appeared on Blue Peter recently and regularly gig around the country.
Lamp Music and Dance Café
Think summer vibes; freshly made fruit smoothies; friendly faces serving up heaps of the best vegetarian and vegan snacks, against the backdrop of Hull’s best acoustic talent.
Wolf Glen Tipi Village Workshops
Five tipis with free workshops for all the family to join in.
· Chinese Dragon Dance, and music with the Hull & East Yorkshire Chinese School.
· African drumming all afternoon with Ghanaian drummer Isaac Acheampong.
· Didjeridu with Steve Wright from Hull & District Didjeridu Club who brings his workshops, and demonstrations of bull–roarers, clap-sticks and emu-callers once again to Grassroots.
· Graffiti Art workshop and demonstration with Mojo who will translate Steve Wright’s Aboriginal stories and music into graffiti art.
· Poi – have a go at poi, originally used by the Mauri people to help with weaving and improve their skill in battle.
· Summer’s Drummin’ – hosted by the Warren, informal and fun drum, guitar and circus skills workshops for young people.
Hull Film
Brand new for Grassroots 2007 - From the team that bring you the annual Hull International Short Film Festival, Grassroots presents the Hull Film Marquee. There will be free festival music films for all the family throughout the day - a mixture of locally produced shorts and features.
Nisha’s Indian Treasure Trove
Bombay Stores - the UK’s largest Asian department store celebrate their 40th Birthday with some treasures from their Aladdin’s cave of Indian goodies - authentic Indian wear, jewellery, scarves, handbags, shoes, spices, henna painting.
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Festival programme | ||
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11.00 Festival Opens with the Funkywormhole Soundsystem | ||
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12.00 noon |
World Stage |
Welcome from Alan Raw |
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12 .05 |
World Stage |
Sounds of the City |
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1.20 |
World Stage |
Zoobin Surty I |
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1.30 |
World Stage |
Gul Naz |
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2.30 |
World Stage |
Zoobin Surty II |
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2.30 |
Lamp Stage |
Karl Culley |
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3.00 |
World Stage |
Koshka |
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4.00 |
World Stage |
The Sorry Loves |
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4.00 |
Lamp Stage |
7Hertz |
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4.30 |
Funkywormhole Sound System |
The Talks |
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5.00 |
World Stage |
La Cédille |
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5.00 |
Media Van Stage |
Painted Pink |
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6.00 – 7.00 |
World Stage |
Full Flava Grande Finale |
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12 – 6 pm Full Flava Stage, rap battles and breakdance ring | ||
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11 – 6 pm Funkywormhole Sound System, with The Talks live set at 4.30 pm | ||
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12 – 6 pm Media Van Young Bands Stage | ||
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12 – 6 pm Hull Film Screenings | ||
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12 – 6 pm Lamp Acoustic Café in the Rose Garden | ||
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12 – 6 pm Wolf Glen Tipi Village Workshops | ||
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7 pm Adelphi Acoustic After shock Free Entry | ||
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7.30 pm Seeds and Bridges @ Lamp 7 Hertz Free Entry | ||
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The Residence, New George Street full Flava After Party | ||
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8 pm BBC Radio Humberside Raw Talent, Sorry Loves in session | ||
Other Grassroots Weekend events:
Friday 17th August
Zest Grassroots Launch Night
Come join in the festive celebration of the Grassroots 2007 launch event @
Zest Fri 17th Aug @ Zest Newland Ave Hull. With Special guests Seikou Susso "The Sounds of the Desert", plus new taste from Zest North African Buffet. Followed by Full Flava DJs playing an eclectic selection of sounds, beats, rhythms and rhymes. Show starts at 8:30 -1am. Free entry.
BBC Radio Humberside Raw Talent
95.9 fm Sunday nights 8 pm – 10 pm
As part of Grassroots weekend you can listen to the Sorry Loves live session on the Raw Talent show, if you get home after Grassroots.
Full Flava Grassroots after party @ The Residence, New George Street, Sunday 19th.
Full Flava Grassroots after party @ The Residence, on New George Street.
The Lamp (Norfolk Street, 01482 326137)
7 Hertz
Sunday 19th Seeds and Bridges presents 7 Hertz, playing contemporary improvised chamber/folk/jazz on violins, clarinets and double basses.
Also a mental work out with Seeds and Bridges Pub Quiz for people with brains. Free entry from 7.30 pm.
The Adelphi (De Grey Street, 01482 348216)
Sunday 19th - Grassroots Acoustic Aftershock, free entry from 6pm, music from 7 pm.
Web link for updated information -
www.myspace.com/grassrootsfreefestival
Grassroots 2007 has funding from the Arts Council England, and Hull City Council.