Lura's music has influences that range from Brazil to Africa, from Cape Verde to Portugal and even to American jazz and blues. She will perform Sunday evening at a gala that concludes the Cape Verdean expo.
If the murky weather that has smothered the SouthCoast this month has left you dreaming of a tropical getaway, look no further than the State Pier in New Bedford this weekend.
The Hello Cabo Verde Expo 2011 is coming to town for an extravagant three-day celebration of island life. Organizers promise a full calendar of colorful events with food, music, dancers and artists showcasing the rich cultural traditions that lend this distant archipelago its unique flavor.
Despite ties that extend back to the whaling era, few local people have visited this island nation. To increase awareness of Cape Verde as a destination, government and tourism officials there decided to bring a piece of the islands to us. More than 80 people from Cape Verde will be here with the Expo.
The weekend Expo will feature about 50 indoor booths showcasing all the attractions that the islands have to offer, both as a vacation destination and as a place to do business. But for the casual Expo visitor, sampling Cape Verdean food and music will likely prove the principal attractions. On both counts there is sure to be something for every taste.
"We have tried to represent each island," said New Bedford's Emanuel Dias, who is coordinating the musical side of things. "It will be a very colorful event. It's not just music but also carnival dancers with costumes. We will also be featuring the 'cola san djon,' a traditional island dance."
"This is a great opportunity for some real cultural exchange," said New Bedford's Celia Brito, who will be overseeing the food on site.
"We want American people to come and sample some good food and listen to good music," Brito said. Specialty island dishes like cachupa, pastel and toresma will be available. "We will have three Cape Verdean vendors and two American, so there will be something for everyone," she said.
City workers have assembled a stage outside the main building housing the Expo. Throughout the weekend, a variety of bands from all nine islands will perform from 11:30 to 5 p.m. In addition, a group of musicians from the "11th island," representing the Cape Verdean diaspora, will perform, reflecting the fact that more Cape Verdeans currently live as expatriates than live on the islands themselves. Candida Rose, Emanuel "Iman" Dias, Tem Blessed and Rosa Mestre are just a few of the performers representing this region. Artists are also travelling from Portugal, Norway, Luxembourg, New York and Washington, D.C., to take part in the Expo.
In addition to the daytime happenings on the pier, there will be evening concerts Saturday and Sunday at the United Fishermen's Club, 639 Orchard St., New Bedford. Saturday night's show will be a dance geared towards a younger crowd featuring Ze Delgado and Djedje. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. On Sunday, a gala event includes dinner and a performance by Lura, a rising star of world music, based in Lisbon, whose reputation has grown internationally since her last performance here in 2007 at the Zeiterion.
"Everyone is welcome to these two shows. It's not just for Cape Verdean people," said Dias.
There is no charge for admission to the festival. For more information, visit hellocaboverde.com/expo2011
Friday 11 a.m., flag raising ceremony at City Hall (133 William St.). National anthems will be sung by Candida Rose. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., exhibitor booths and cultural displays. Schooner Ernestina tours, Barbara Burgo. Noon-12:30 p.m., music from the Island of Santiago, organized by Djedje. 1 p.m., Black Heritage Trail tour with Lee Blake. 1-1:45 p.m., music from the Island of Fogo, organized by Valdir Alves. 2-2:30 p.m., music from the Island of Brava, organized by Vuca Pinheiro. 3-3:45 p.m., music from the Island of Sao Nicolau, organized by Nazario Lopes. 4-5 p.m., "The 11th Island," organized by Candida Rose, Tem Blessed and Tiny Tavares (mix show of jazz, R&B, Hip Hop). 5-7 p.m., Vineyard Room, Fairfield Inn, book signing and presentation by Jeanne Costa on "The Making of the Cape Verdean" by Manuel E. Costa Sr. 9 p.m.-1 a.m., youth dance (ticketed event) featuring Ze Delgado & Djedje, United Fishermen Club (639 Orchard St.) Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., exhibitor booths and cultural displays. Schooner Ernestina tours, Barbara Burgo. 11-11:30 a.m., music from the Island of Sal, organized by Spencer. Noon-12:30 p.m., music from the Island of Maio, organized by Ze Rui & Totche. 1 p.m., Black Heritage Trail tour with Lee Blake. 1-1:45 p.m., music from the Island of Sao Antao," organized by Calu Monteiro. 2-2:30 p.m., music from the Island of Boavista, organized by Lutchinha. 2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., "Africa Rainbow," organized by special guest. 3-5 p.m., exhibit and reception, Colo Colo Gallery, 29 Centre St., featuring artist Bela Duarte, founder of The Resistance Cooperative on Sao Vicente. 3:45-5 p.m., music from the Island of Sao Vicente, organized by Iman Dias, Djosca & Bin Almada. 7 p.m.-1 a.m., gala dinner and dance (ticketed event) featuring Lura, United Fishermen Club, 639 Orchard St. , New Bedford.
(Source: https://www.southcoasttoday.com/
Publiched: May 26, 2011)