Comments on: HAPPENING: The World Festival of Black Arts & Culture http://www.boldaslove.us/2010/12/16/happening-the-world-festival-of-black-arts-culture/ Music, Culture & The New Black Imagination Sun, 12 May 2013 16:18:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Rob Fields http://www.boldaslove.us/2010/12/16/happening-the-world-festival-of-black-arts-culture/#comment-936 Rob Fields Thu, 13 Jan 2011 23:39:00 +0000 http://boldaslove.us/?p=2421#comment-936 Marque:

Thanks for your comments. I think it’s important to bring constructive criticism to the table, which is exactly what you’ve done. Hopefully, there will be some learnings from this event that will be shared and incorporated into the next iteration. I certainly hope that the organizers grasp and appreciate the huge opportunity that they have before them.

Best to you, and happy new year!

]]> By: Marque Gilmore http://www.boldaslove.us/2010/12/16/happening-the-world-festival-of-black-arts-culture/#comment-935 Marque Gilmore Thu, 13 Jan 2011 23:30:00 +0000 http://boldaslove.us/?p=2421#comment-935 Greetings from tha’ DRUM, Y’Allz…. Well, I WAS there in Dakar to play at this festival with Cuban pianist OMAR SOSA – honoured to be invited and involved, BUT…. it was a very disappointing scenario some days before the travel dates. Without going into too much detail and no desire to bring any bad vibes on the original intent of the organizers and on Senegal’s commitment to Black Arts & Culture – the organization of the festival was a disaster! Apparently, the chief of the fest was arrested for fraud and the huge village that was built for the artists was left abandoned and unused for over two years from the start of its construction. There was absolutely NO INFORMATION ABOUT WHO WAS PERFORMING WHEN or WHERE!!!!! There were huge posters and ads about the festival but no details. The fest was FREE TO THE PUBLIC, but THE PUBLIC HAD NO INFO on where to go and when to see who they might have wanted to see, or even know who they have never seen before!!!!!

The stage I played on ended up having 5 bands as opposed to 3, that”s too much music in one night and the dwindling crowd spoke volumes, so no matter how dope the music was, people can only take so much! So many groups never made it to the fest because of last minute travel confirmations, often provided on the day of travel or day before.

***** Anyway, I say all this to let people know that this festival SHOULD CONTINUE and anyone with the desire and necessary organizational skills should make themselves available so that the real plan can finally take place. Of course, the music that was played was spectacular and I was blessed to be there alongside the great Senegalese singer MOLA SYLLA. He was especially proud to have this favourite collaborators in his home town, but was also dismayed by the lack of proper organization…. So, to any of the festival people who may read this, my Love and Respect is with you and I certainly hope to participate again. Whatever I can do to improve the scenario WILL BE DONE!!!!! Afreeeeeeeka 100% – Next time, no problem!

Peace,

Marque Gilmore

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