'Manifestivus' brings diverse grooves to Cabot
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Malian singer Oumou Sangare makes a rare U.S. appearance Friday, July 17, in Cabot as part of the seventh annual Sol Harvest Festivus for the Restivus. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
Toolbox
By TOM HUNTINGTON Arts Correspondent - Published: July 10, 2009
Groove-driven music from around the world will converge close to home next weekend when the Sol Harvest Festivus for the Restivus celebrates its seventh anniversary in style with an expanded three-day fest that starts on Friday, July 17.
The family-friendly roots and world music festival, which has previously been one night only, has this year been dubbed "The Manifestivus" in honor of its expanded scope. The diversity and scope of the musical offerings has also been enhanced, with noteworthy artists in a variety of genres such as West African, reggae and hip-hop joining the world-inspired North Carolina- based host band Toubab Krewe.
Held on nearly 100 scenic acres in Cabot at the family home of Toubab Krewe bassist Dave Pransky – the farm has been home to the still-flourishing Laughing Turtle summer camp for 30 years — the sprawling site includes on-site camping, hiking trails and swimming at a sizable pond with a sand beach. There are also plenty of kid-friendly features such as a children's area, puppet theater and wagon rides, among other amenities like drinking water, African food and child care.
Started as a private party that initially showcased Pransky's first band, Sol Harvest (in which he played mandolin), the "Festivus" – a term made popular by the TV show "Seinfeld" – has evolved into a respected festival that National Geographic.com recently selected as one of "the best of this year's summer festivals."
Toubab Krewe, a popular West African-inspired fusion band that recently released its much-anticipated sophomore album "Live at the Orange Peel," will once again close out the nighttime performances – this year on both Friday and Saturday. Virgin Islands-based roots reggae favorites Midnite, one of last year's headliners, returns to kick off the festivities on Friday night.
A major coup for "Manifestivus" is the inclusion of Malian singer extraordinaire Oumou Sangare. The highly revered and spirited performer will be making a rare U.S. performance on Friday on a world tour that recently found her wowing the crowds and critics at the Central Park SummerStage in New York City and the Montreal International Jazz Festival.
Called "the most important female singer in Mali today" by The New York Times, Sangare, 41, has also been dubbed the "African queen of soul" by National Public Radio, which called her "that rare traditional musician capable of transforming into a modern artist without sacrificing an ounce of authenticity."
Delivering an eclectic sound that originates with music from the Wassoulou region of southern Mali, Sangare – who performs with a talented 10-piece band – recently celebrated the release of her first album in six years, the ebullient and spellbinding "Seya (Joy)."
Released last month, "Seya" is "a collection of intricately layered music, buoyant grooves and sage wisdom from one of the most alluring and agile voices in African music today," according to NPR. Added the Philadelphia Inquirer, "It's ready to stand up to Amadou and Mariam's more Western-leaning 'Welcome to Mali' as African album of the year."
Saturday's impressive lineup features Jamaican dancehall legend Barrington Levy and old-school New York City hip-hop group Black Sheep. Joining them are standout Vermont-based acts such as the Afrobeat-inspired Movement of the People and "hip-pop" group Strength in Numbers.