Abeya- Japanese Folk Musicians Visit UK Supported by the Daiwa Foundation

Japanese folk music group Abeya will be visiting the UK in March, supported by a Daiwa Foundation Small Grant, awarded in the September 2012 round. They will play two concerts, one at Durham University as part of the University’s Musicon Festival of East Asian Music on Wednesday 13 March at 7:30pm at the University Music School Palace Green. The second concert will be held at SOAS, University of London, on 15 March at 7:00pm in the Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre.

Four young members of the multi-award-winning Japanese folk music group Abeya provide a stunning mix of song, dance, drumming, bamboo flutes, and the powerful, addictive 3-string tsugaru-jamisen. Abeya’s diverse repertoire ranges across highly ornamented ballads, dance songs, lullabies and work songs. The group has been praised for their ability to enchant audiences not only with their talent but also their highly engaging approach using humour, interaction, and poignant explanations to help make the music relevant to international audiences. Audience participation will be expected!

Two Japanese folk music events at SOAS on March 15th and 16th, and a concert at Durham University, March 13th

1) Concert at SOAS: Abeya: Japanese folk tunes and tales

Friday 15 March, 7pm, Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre

Free admission, no booking

See http:www.soas.ac.uk/music/events/concerts/15mar2013-japanese-folk-tunes–tales—for-everyone.html

(PLEASE NOTE: No booking is possible; please arrive around 6.30 to ensure a seat at this special event.)

2) Concert at Durham University: Songs to Energise and Enchant: Japanese Folk Song Group ‘Abeya’

Wednesday 13 March 2013, 7.30pm, Durham University Music School

This concert will be basically identical to the SOAS one. – Tickets £10, Students £4, Under 18s £1; in advance from Gala Theatre, Durham, tel: 0191 332 4041; or at door from 6.45pm, cheque or cash only. – Part of a festival of East Asian music; see www.dur.ac.uk/musicon.concerts/concerts_2012/eastasianmusic.

3) Public workshop at SOAS with members of Abeya: A taste of Japanese folk songs, dances and instruments

Saturday 16 March, 11am-4.30pm, SOAS Room G52

Free admission, BUT places are limited; to book or for information, email dh6@soas.ac.uk.

Abeya will offer a free workshop in Japanese folk singing, dancing and related instruments. You can try a bit of several different aspects of the tradition.

Supported by the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.

More information:

http://www.dur.ac.uk/musicon.concerts/concerts_2012/eastasianmusic

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