Over 150 musicians set to perform for 2009 Rajasthan International Folk Festival
Bales Worldwide is giving travellers the chance to experience one of the best events in the world music calendar – the Rajasthan International Folk Festival (RIFF) in Jodhpur. This incredible event, for which Sir Mick Jagger is Patron, takes place from 1-5 October 2009, and brings together well over 150 musicians including Denise ‘Saucy Wow’ Belfon and Jason Singh to perform in the city.
Timed to coincide with the brightest full moon of the year, Jodhpur RIFF features a series of spectacular concerts and events based in and around the Mehrangarh Fort - one of Asia’s finest buildings. As well as interactive daytime sessions for children, families and visitors, Jodhpur RIFF also includes performances by master musicians from local Rajasthan communities, sensational headline acts each night and cutting-edge global dance grooves to keep the party going late into the night at Club Mehran.
The festival, that attracts over 5,000 visitors, has received international acclaim for the exceptional quality of the music and the unrivalled setting. As well as listening to world class traditional music, visitors have unparalleled access to the royal apartments and gardens, courtyards, terraces and ramparts of this dramatic fort.
From the 2-4 October you are free to explore the famous blue city and take in the wealth of musical events that make up the festival. The itinerary outlines options from exclusive and intimate evening concerts and distinguished headline acts, to music in the museum and sunset devotional concerts. Be transfixed by the sitars, tablas and ragas, let the storytellers enthrall you and check out some of the many late night jam sessions taking place across the city. This really is a festival of inspirational music-making!
During the weekend there is the opportunity to enjoy Folk Mornings at the newly opened Chowkelao Gardens. These interactive mornings, facilitated in a dynamic demonstration format, include folk songs from various artistic communities, performances by traditional street acrobats and lesser-known dance traditions of Rajasthan.
On Monday 5 October you will have the chance to experience an atmospheric Dawn Devotional concert before boarding a flight to Delhi, where you will spend your last night.
The programme this year includes:
• Rekha Bharadwaj – One of India’s most sought after playback singers in recent years
• Jason Singh – International composer, beat boxer/vocal percussionist, DJ and multimedia artist
• Denise ‘Saucy Wow’ Belfon – Soca, R&B and Gospel singer, songwriter and dancer
• Antonio Rey – Virtuoso Spanish and Flamenco guitarist who is considered to be among the top three guitarists in Spain
To visit the Rajasthan International Folk Festival try our specialised tour, to veiw the itinerary or to book click here.
