Today is the
last day of the
three-day
festival, and
single day
tickets are
available at the
box office for
$60. Locals with
ID get in for
$55. Sunday's
lineup is full
of big hitters,
including
Barrington Levy,
Tony Allen,
Marcia
Griffiths, Jimmy
Riley, Queen
Omega, Rootz
Underground and
Sambada' playing
on the Valley
Stage. In the
wonderful shaded
Redwood Grove,
there is the
Village Stage,
where
Rubblebucket,
Vernon Maytone,
Rey Fresco,
Asheba, and a
Kids Parade are
among the
highlights.
Speaking of
kids, if they
are 12 and under
and accompanied
by a responsible
adult, they get
free admission.
There's a full
day of scheduled
workshops
including
African Dance,
Storytime with
Africa Al, Danza
in Xochitl, Hula
Hooping,
Puppetry and
more, not to
mention Arts &
Crafts, a Bounce
House and a
water slide to
keep the little
ones happy.
If shopping is
your forte,
there is plenty
of incredible
jewelry,
clothes,
artwork,
blankets, rugs
and baubles to
peruse. Many of
the vendors
feature handmade
items from
throughout the
world, and there
are great deals
to be had here.
Shopping with
the music,
sights and
smells of
international
culture
pervading the
air is an
experience not
to be missed.
International
Superstar Baaba
Maal of Senegal
headlined the
show on Friday
night. It's his
second
appearance in
Boonville, and
he said that the
festival
inspired him to
start one in his
own country.
"It's an
important way
for us to share
our culture, our
music, but also
it allows
families to get
together with
other families
to talk, to
share, to learn
from each
other." He said
he finds that
people are very
curious about
his music.
"People that
have never heard
African music
before are often
called in by the
drumming. They
hear those
talking drums
and say hey,
hey...what's
that? and then
they are
hooked."
New this year is
a live festival
blog, which
allows people to
follow the event
at home and
throughout the
world. The blog
is viewable on
the website at
www.snwmf.com
However, this is
an event that is
best heard, seen
and felt
firsthand, and
many are finding
themselves
richer for the
experience.
Original Source:
Ukiah Daily
Journal
