We're again at that time of year when the Maltese group Etnika will bring us a series of concerts where traditional Maltese music is fused with what is known as 'world music'. This year's performances, dubbed ‘bumbum’, will be held between July 31st and August 2nd, at Fort Saint Elmo in Valletta.
In line with Etnika’s reputation, the audience will enjoy a couple of hours packed with original Maltese folk tunes and songs, which they have come to expect from this group.
Etnika musician and co-ordinator, Andrew Alamango, explains that this year’s theme ‘bumbum’ was chosen in part owing to its association with the traditional children’s rhyme [Bum Bum il-Bieb] as well as with the festive noises synonymous with the Maltese summer; the deafening petards and vivacious band marches. Andrew adds that, to compliment this mood, this year’s concerts will also feature a number of brass-band guest-musicians.
We shall be listening to quite a few numbers from Etnika’s latest CD release – Zifna – and to a brand new ghanja entitled X’se tghanni? from the renowned folk singer Frans Baldacchino l-Budaj, who is expected to introduce us to his young apprentice Toni Spiteri Tal-Gebel.
Flameco dancer, Cikka Grima, again joins the band this year (following a year in Seville) to perform in her particularly expressive style what is known in Spain as 'zapateado', i.e. using her feet for percussion. This bailora can't wait to do what she loves best -- to dance -- before this year's Malta audience.
The traditional sounds of the Maltese zaqq (of the bagpipes genre), the zummara and tanbur will be combined with that of the Mandoline in the performance of Qamar Kwinta, written by Andrew Alamango. The young Julie Polorski will deliver jazzed up versions of the popular songs Ara Gejja and Lanca Gejja [w ohra sejra], which get a Latin twist.
The concert theme naturally calls for the high-spirited Il-Festa ta’ Babu, inspired by the traditional Maltese feast. This solicits public response, and why not? In Spain, the audience is taught to appreciate what is being played, while the performer plays according to the people's own passions, hence the energetic responses.
This is what is being offered to those who attend the Etnika concerts; two hours of highly emotive music, with old Maltese melodies given a contemporary vestment.
Tickets for Etnikafé: Live at Fort St. Elmo are available at Lm4.50 at St. James Cavalier and at the door. Concerts begin at 8.30pm. Remember to buy the CD, shown hereunder.
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to view rehearsal photos
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