New cultural music experiences in Calgary
The first installment of Instrumental Stories was a rhythmic adventure around the world. What's next?
As you walked into the room, you could feel the thunderous energy of drums beating, tambourines rattling and people tapping their feet along to music. The first installment of Instrumental Stories, a monthly program presented by CBC Calgary and Calgary Public Library on Oct. 27 explored the world of percussion with Malcolm Lim.
Lim has travelled the world extensively, and picked up many of these instruments along the way. His travel stories, followed with interactive instrumental demonstrations, took spectators on a musical journey around the world and presented a comprehensive picture of where and how these instruments are traditionally used. The audiences were also encouraged to recite rhythms, clap along, answer trivia questions and take part in the world of rhythmic patterns. From Dumbek to Kanjira to Reco Reco, the room was filled with contagious beats, some familiar and some refreshingly new.
Tarik Robinson, host of CBC Radio One's Key of A, facilitated intriguing discussions, diving deeper into cultural resonance, context and history behind the array of instruments Lim introduced.
The intimate space at the Memorial Park Library welcomed music enthusiasts, musicians, library go-ers and even children keen to learn more.
These programs and partnerships are so important for musicians like myself because we get a platform where we can show our talents and show the community how to be creative and how to learn about these fascinating things that you don't learn everyday.- Duke Domino, local musician
Instrumental Stories will continue to feature world music and musicians during the last Thursday of every month (excluding December), in hopes to build community and educate Calgarians about different cultures from around the world through a casual, fun and musical event.
Next, the series will introduce the world of Ukrainian music and singing with Iryna Kalinovich. Learn more about past and upcoming events here:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
