Music from around the world at Rialto

World music, live performances and a percussions workshop for children are coming up at Rialto Theatre this July. Throughout the month, local musicians will take to the Rialto Open-air stage to bring sounds from around the world as for the second consecutive year, the Cyprus Rialto World Music Festival focuses exclusively on Cypriot musicians, giving them the opportunity to present their latest work to the public.

The main mission of this year’s event, running from July 6 to 29, is to develop optimism and a climate of return to artistic production.

The Cyprus Rialto World Music Festival, which started by Rialto Theatre in 2006, is honoured with the EFFE label 2019 -2021 (Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe) and is a member of the Forum of Worldwide Music Festivals.

In the festival, that will take place at SEK parking (behind the Rialto Theatre), more than 50 Cypriot musicians participate while for the first time, within the framework of the Rialto Residency, a Percussion Workshop for children will be organised by Rodos Panayiotou and members of the Batukinio team.

Starting the festival’s events on July 6 is a concert presenting the first album of composer Vassilis Philippou, titled Sol Aurorae, inspired by the musical traditions of the Eastern Mediterranean. Philippou’s contemporary modal music has its geographical roots in the wider region and the album has received critical acclaim and positive reviews from Songlines and fRoots among others.

Then on July 12, the Tropos Ensemble will present a musical exploration across the yards of the same region. Beginning from our small island, the musical ensemble will present a selected repertoire of songs and melodies from Cyprus, the Aegean Islands, Asia Minor and Istanbul, as well as original compositions by Michalis Kouloumis.

On July 14, a performance based on the new album by Dimitris Spyrou, with strong experimental and performative elements incorporating poetry and prose will be staged. Titled Inquietudes of a Quiet Mind vol.3, the performance is a fusion of contemporary music genres (hip hop, reggae, sampling, beat making, traditional and folk music) combined with traditional instruments and basslines on a journey across Cyprus, Egypt, Africa and the present.

A percussion workshop for children aged 6-12 will follow on July 17, led by Rodos Panayiotou and members of the Batukinio Percussion Band. Presenting authentic Brazilian percussion instruments, the workshop will offer a unique opportunity to children to get to know their special features, to listen, experiment with, improvise and experience the creative process. Held between 10am and 1.30pm, participation is free for children yet seats must be booked in advance through www.rialto.com.cy or the theatre box office 7777-7745.

The event to follow on July 19 returns to live music performances with Eleonora Roussou’s concert titled Hara-Joy. As suggested by the title, the compositions and songs to be presented are inspired by human emotions: their capacity, their structure, their effectiveness. The artist’s creative impetus is transparency, sharing and openness, consequently, these compositions are a moving amalgamation of life lived so far.

Band Chunky Funky’s performance on July 27 aims to go beyond a simple live show as the band attempts to involve the audience in the concert, not only as spectators, but also in the creative process of a live performance. A song called The Game gives the chance to the audience to get ‘their hands dirty’, perform with the band on stage and control the music.

Closing the festival on July 29, the Amalgamation Project will take audiences on a musical journey balancing Mediterranean sounds, melodies of the Balkan Mountains and the diverse sonic flavours of polyphony. The band will perform cover versions of traditional songs, an amalgamation of the East and the West, as well as its own original compositions. The performance also features short stories and poems inspired by the women of Cyprus and of other Mediterranean countries.

16th Cyprus Rialto World Music Festival

Live world music performances by local musicians. July 6-29. SEK Parking, behind Rialto Theatre, Limassol. Tickets: €5 (Free Entrance for musicians, pupils & students / Seats must be booked in advance Information / Box Office: 7777-7745 www.rialto.com.cy, Rialto App