THSH: What's On — World Music & Folk events

Omara Portuondo

Sat 13 Dec Town Hall

*Omara Portuondo:* *Diva of Buena Vista Social Club* Omara Portuondo is of the world’s legendary female voices - the seductive sound of old Havana. She has had a hugely successful career since the 1950s, and from 1995 she and Ibrahim Ferrer were the vocal heart of Buena Vista Social Club. Her central part in its success secured her a whole new fan base, wooed by her romantic tenderness, her latino rhythms, and her Piaf-like passion. This autumn she tours her new album, Gracias, with her core band members from Cuba and Brazil.

Town Hall presents Bellowhead with support In association with Moseley Folk Festival

Tue 16 Dec Town Hall

Bellowhead have taken the festival scene by the scruff of the neck over the past couple of years. Voted best group and best live band in the 2007 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, their euphoric live shows are much more than just folk, taking traditional songs to modern places with a wild invention, wit and energy that defies categorisation. _“Wild, joyous, perverse, bold, crazed, full-blooded, intricate, fearless, funny, epic and mostly BIG . . . Bellowhead don't disappoint. Prepare to be amazed.”_ fRoots _“They sweep all before them into a heady mix of great tunes, innovative arrangements, rampant imagination and brazen front . . . Extraordinary.”_ Mojo
The support acts are as follows: *The Old Dance School* and *Dave Swarbrick*

The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra

Sat 27 Dec Town Hall

The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra returns to Town Hall, following last year’s sold-out concert, with a lively concert for the festive season. The unique arrangements of traditional items, mixed with John Mmason’s original compositions, are performed by an orchestra of fiddles, flutes, cellos, basses, accordions, piano and pipes, and augmented by the incomparable organ of Town Hall. Jigs, reels, marches, songs and other dance music will keep your feet tapping and have you joining in with the performers. Programme will also feature some poignant slow airs and the orchestra’s unique and stirring rendition of Highland Cathedral. This will be a night to remember for all the family, and especially for anyone with Scots connections. £10, £14, £18, £22.50, Choir benches £7.5
*John Mason MBE* conductor/musical director *Colette Ruddy* soprano *Dennis Haggerty* tenor *Jim McColl* compere

Mariza

Cancelled

Wed 21 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

Richard Thompson: 1000 Years of Popular Music

Thu 29 Jan 2009 Town Hall

Displaying his trademark humour and uncanny genius, Richard Thompson takes you on a personal journey through his list of the greatest songs of the Millennium. From the ballads of the early middle ages, to more modern songs originally made known by such artists as Nat King Cole, Nelly Furtado, Gilbert & Sullivan and The Who, "_this as much a journey through Thompson's virtuosity as through a millennium of song._" The Guardian £20, £25
with *Judith Owen* (vocals, piano) and *Debra Dobkin* (percussion, vocals)

Juan Martin Flamenco Ensemble

Thu 5 Feb 2009 Town Hall

Voted into the top guitarists in the world by US Guitar Player magazine, Juan Martin brings his line up of the finest dancers and musicians. Martins ensemble is at the vanguard of modern flamenco with a unique style of music that succeeds in embracing classical, jazz and modern harmonies. An evening of exhilarating music and dance not to be missed. £10, £15, £20

Tom Paxton

Tue 24 Feb 2009 Town Hall

Tom Paxton's songs are known and loved around the world: _The Last Thing On My Mind_, _Ramblin Boy_, and _Bottle Of Wine_, just a few of his truly timeless works. His generosity to both audiences and fellow musicians is renowned, and his passion for justice and the ties that bind people together is unwavering: for all this and more, Tom Paxton ranks as one of the most revered musicians of his generation. "_I think we are all born singing Tom Paxton songs_" *Nanci Griffith* "_Tom's songs are fine songs in anyone's book_" *Uncut*

Festival of Polish Folklore

Sat 28 Feb 2009 Symphony Hall

All over the world where there are Polish people, they keep to their old traditions and encourage a sense of belonging and roots. One of the most colourful and fun ways of doing this is through song and dance. The colour, excitement and spectacle of Polish dance and music can be seen at Symphony Hall: over two days the UK's largest gathering of Polish folk performers, featuring 12 groups and over 300 performers from across the UK, will take to stage to bring Polish culture alive. From the fiery elegance and grandeur of national dance, the Krakowiak, to the acrobatic feats of strength found in the rural dances of the Carpathian Mountains, the 7th Festival of Polish Folklore in Great Britain has it all. £15

Fairport Convention Winter Tour 2009 plus special guest

Sat 7 Mar 2009 Town Hall

Enjoy an evening of great music with Fairport Convention, the legendary originators of British folk-rock, featuring Simon Nicol (guitar, vocal), Dave Pegg (bass, backing vocal), Chris Leslie (fiddle, mandolin, vocal), Ric Sanders (violin), and Gerry Conway (drums). Fairport Convention has attracted huge critical acclaim and has delighted audiences for over four decades, not least on its annual Winter Tours and at its world-famous music festival at Cropredy. Fairport Convention has won the coveted BBC Radio 2 Lifetime Achievement Award and Radio 2 listeners voted the groundbreaking album Liege & Lief 'The Most Influential Folk Album of All Time'. The album has since gone on to win a Gold Disk for Fairport. In 2009, Fairport Convention's greatest strength is still live performance and this concert will present an exciting mix of the old and new. Longstanding Fairport favourites such as Matty Groves will share the bill with new songs from the band's most recent albums. £21

English Orginals Festival

15 May - 17 May 2009 Town Hall & Symphony Hall

Town Hall and Symphony Hall is delighted to announce its second English Originals Festival will take place over the weekend of 15 - 17 May 2009. Last year's hugely successful three day celebration of original and innovative English music saw a sell out audience for national treasure Billy Bragg alongside spectacular performances by artists such as Kitty, Daisy and Lewis, Tunng, Lou Rhodes and Bishi. Described as “a superb weekend of folk music” and “of sublime contrast and invigorating energy” by the Birmingham Post, the heady mix of traditional folk and leading contemporary singer songwriters is set to continue. Details of the weekend line-up and programme for the second English Originals Festival will be announced soon.

What's On — World Music & Folk events