Rainforest Music Oh Seven

I finally have time to post pictures of the Rainforest World Music Festival 2007. You’ve probably read the various reports and reviews in the local dailies but nothing says it better than being there. It matters less if you’re attending the intriguing workshops during the day or soaking in the life of the concert at night because you’ll find yourself wanting to move to the beats even if you’ve never danced in your life, ever before. There will always be a nagging urge to swirl those hips, stamp your feet, slide those ribs and raise your fists! It’s very exhausting to describe and I will not attempt to. You gotta be there. Perhaps this link to an article by Mumtaj Begum in TheStarOnline could serve as a teaser for the curious.

http://star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/18/music/18329511&sec=music

I’m working on editing some clips my friend recorded to be uploaded to YouTube.

In the meantime, do browse the following pictures. I know they don’t mean much without the sound but I’m working on it.

Having Sarawak Laksa at the Santubong Resort restaurant. Affordable and Good.

Members of Inka Marka serving songs from the Andes during one of the workshops at 3pm, Saturday

Percussions without borders. A selection of world beats at it's best. Thump! Wait for the video!

Decorated columns of one of the traditional show houses at the cultural village.

The food sale booths and dining area. Very affordable, they're almost cheap. Don't bother bringing your own because you'll end up wanting to sample at least two dishes. I hope they keep this up. Imagine the food they sell at Sepang F1; yeah, that's expensive rubbish in comparison.

People enjoying the bountiful local and not-so-local delights.

Chilling out by the lake. The weather was generous come evening. It was still bright but there was no ray in sight. That's the magic of the rainforest.

During the concert, Channel V's Marion and Alvey dropped by for some scoops of the event. The crowd started to take pictures of the impromptu set but I remained seated behind them. I didn't want to get in the way of the film crew so I took the only view I ended up with, their royal behinds. Hey, now now, it wasn't me who pushed my way into the seated crowd to get a good angle for TV.

It didn't take long for the seated audience to stand up and be counted. Well, most of them were pushed to the back by the standing and ever-eager-to-dance crowd. In a way, they were forced to get off their buns and shake the bon bons. Not that anyone's complaining of course.

This was when everyone was politely seated for the first show, as requested by the performers, since it was a sacred ritual performed by the local tribe, Mah Meri, first time on stage.

.

People say this one was special because it was the tenth year and in conjunction with the visit Malaysia year and 50 years of Malaysian Independence. Two things I hope; one, it gets better every year, two, they stick to the old price of sixty bucks instead of eighty (Yeah, that one million ringgit breakthrough is really mind blowing ain't it, it couldn't be partly because of the twenty ringgit price hike, duhh!)

Sadly, even as we speak, they have probably set the target of 2 million ringgit for next year's festival.

I wonder what 'quality over quantity' really means to the organisers... let's hope for the best shall we.

Other related news links.

Source: TheStarOnline


Ticket sales hits magical RM1m mark
[NATION 16-Jul-2007]
History was made at the 10th Rainforest World Music Festival when ticket sales crossed the million-ringgit mark for the first time.

Rainforest music fest ticket sales cross RM1m mark
[NATION 15-Jul-2007]
The 10th Rainforest World Music Festival, which drew the biggest-ever gathering of music fans here, crossed the million-ringgit mark in ticket sales


Rainforest festival off to rousing start
[NATION 15-Jul-2007]
The 10th Rainforest World Music Festival got off to a rousing start at the Sarawak Cultural Village with stirring performances from eight local and international groups.


Randy's back and awestruck
[NATION 14-Jul-2007]
Multi-instrumentalist Randy Raine-Reusch, one of the founders of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), is back for the 10th edition and is awestruck by its phenomenal growth.


Rainforest music fest kicks off today
[NATION 13-Jul-2007]
The three-day Rainforest World Music Festival starts today at the Sarawak Cultural Village

Drum roll
[SOUNDNSTAGE 13-Jul-2007]
The Aseana Percussion Unit is a band with a lot to look forward to.

Bands start to fly in for weekend of global rhythms
[NATION 11-Jul-2007]
The place to be this weekend is the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong, where The Rainforest World Music Festival will take place.

15,000 tickets sold for Rainforest World Music Festival
[NATION 11-Jul-2007]
Ticket sales for the Rainforest World Music Festival this weekend have already hit the 15,000 mark with more expected to be snapped up.

15,000 music fest tickets snapped up
[NATION 12-Jul-2007]
More than 15,000 tickets for the Rainforest World Music Festival have been sold.