World of music, dance comes to Bainbridge

The down economy may have put the brakes on travel plans, but get out your passports, Bainbridge – the world is coming to you. During November, residents can immerse themselves in a variety of cultures, sampling the traditional and exotic music, dance and food of people from around the planet. This smorgasbord of ethnically focused events, each organized and presented independently, offers islanders a unique chance to celebrate the rich diversity of arts and customs - all without leaving the island.

By Connie Mears • October 30, 2009 3:18 pm
Top: Acapella group Abrace
Top: Acapella group Abrace

First stop: Cape Breton, a mist-shrouded island off the coast of Nova Scotia, with a reputation for producing world-class Celtic fiddlers.

Celtic Evening Benefit Concert and Taste o’ Cape Breton starts at 7 p.m., Nov. 1 at Island Music Center, 18598 Valley Rd. N.E., Rolling Bay. As a tribute to Cape Breton fiddler, the late Jerry Holland, proceeds will go to a scholarship fund in his name to help aspiring young musicians in Kitsap County.

Performers include Susan McCroskey Burke and friends on fiddle, guitar and piano; Country Capers Trio on fiddle, flute, guitar and Uilleann pipes; and Celtic Magic offering Celtic fusion accented with bagpipes. Enjoy a slide show and music video of Cape Breton images, seafood chowder, soda and shortbread. An old-fashioned céilidh (pronounced kaylee) will close the event.

Tickets: $25 adults, $20 for 15 years and under. For tickets or more information, visit event sponsor Celtic Arts Foundation’s website at www.celticarts.org, Island Music Center www.islandmusic.org, or Winslow Drug, 290 Winslow Way.

Next up: Africa, namely Ghana and Zimbabwe, motherland of drum, dance, song and storytelling group Ocheami.

These ambassadors of magic, melody and enticing rhythms will perform at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Nov. 6 at Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave.

Ocheami means linguist in the Ga language, or one who speaks on behalf of the chief. The 50-minute performances will embody messages of unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

Bainbridge Island Arts Education Community Consortium presents the event, which is sponsored by the Bainbridge Arts and Humanities Council and the City of Bainbridge. Tickets: $7 adults. For information, call Bonnie Showers at BIAHC, 842-7901 or email bonnies@artshum.org.

One world: The One World Multicultural Festival offers an exotic mix of music, dance, food, art, and intention from 4-8:30 p.m., Nov. 12 at the Pavilion, 403 Madison Ave. Hosted by Islanders4Arts, the event will include a concert, “World Music of Peace,” at 5 p.m. at Bainbridge Cinemas. The concert features the all-female acapella group Abrace that sings in 17 languages, including Swahili, Xhosa, Bulgarian, Japanese, Lucum (archaic Yoruba), Ladino, and even nonsense syllables. The MB Orchestra, dancers from the Middle East and Brazil, will shake the stage as well.

The Upstairs Gallery and Winslow Contemporary Arts will host a World of Peace art exhibit with works by Cameron Karsten (www.cam2yogi.com) and Catherine Foster (catherine-foster.com), and a space for children to create their own peace flags.

Downstairs in the Pavilion, international food will be for sale from Spice Route, Casa Rojas, Penelopes, Subi Sushi and Cafe at the Pavilion. Tickets: $10, available at Bainbridge Cinemas. For information, visit www.1worldfestival.com, or call Elizabeth Gadbois at (206) 819-3618.

Around the world in 80 minutes: Led by Director David Upham, Bainbridge Symphony opens its 2009-2010 season with a whirlwind tour of music by English, Norwegian, Russian and Spanish composers at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 14 and 3 p.m., Nov. 15 at Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave. Pre-concert chats 45 minutes ahead of each performance will offer glimpses the music.

Tickets: $18 adults, and $15 for seniors, students, youth, military and teachers, are available at Bainbridge Performing Arts, by phone at 842-8569 or at the door.

A toe-tapping Euro-pass: The Eclectics perform East European folk and jazz with a Klezmer beat from 3-5:30 p.m., Nov. 14 at the Island Center Hall, 8395 Fletcher Bay Rd. The quartet consists of Dan Lavry on accordian, George Sale on violin, Al Solonsky on percussion, and Laurie DeLuca on clarinet. Craig and Zann Jacobrown will lead Klezmer (secular yiddish) dances and offer encouragement to newcomers.

Refreshments provided by Chavurat Shir Hayam. Tickets are available at the door only: $5 adults, $15 family, $3 teens, students and children. For information, call 780-9714.

Circle the world: The Dances of Universal Peace are simple, meditative, joyous, multicultural circle dances that use sacred phrases, chants, music and movements from a variety of spiritual traditions. The Bainbridge dance spirals at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 20 at Seabold Hall, 14454 Komedal Rd. For information, visit www.peaceworksdancesna.org or call 855-7951.

South of the border: Sheila Phillips of Educated Feet and guest instructor Gene Magalanes will get you moving with “a spicy mixture of rhythmic Afro-Caribbean and Latin American beats that evokes an irrepressible zest for life.” Doors open at 7:15 p.m. Nov. 21 at Seabold Community Club, 14451 Komedal Rd., and an informal workshop is from 7:30-8:15 p.m. From 8:15-10:30 p.m., the lights go down and the floor heats up. Tickets: $10 adults, $5 teens (price includes workshop). Partners are not required. For information, visit www.educatedfeet.net.