Fez, also known as the spiritual city of Morocco, will host the 18th edition of the World Sacred Music Festival in June 8-16, 2012 under the theme “Re-enchanting the World”. The World Sacred Music Festival of Fez is one of Morocco’s most prominent festivals that celebrate musical diversity and cultural richness. Different nations are represented by their unique musical styles that take the audience into a spiritual journey for days. It is an occasion for different sacred musical styles to come into harmony and make the audience transcend all the worldly conflicts in an atmosphere of peace and co-existence.

This year’s edition will honor the great Persian polymath, poet, scientist and philosopher Omar al-Khayyam whose contributions have marked world literature through the many translations and studies on his works and their impact. He is considered the most famous poet of the East through his celebrated Rubáiyát Omar Khayyám where he is believed to have written about a thousand four-line verses or rubaiyat (quatrains). He made fundamental contributions in various fields: Mathematics, astronomy, poetry, religion, and philosophy. His works have always been regarded as out of time and space and could be applied anywhere anytime that searches for a new healthy place for a person’s intellectual and spiritual growth.

The eminent late Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish will also be honored at the festival for the rich literary legacy he left behind that embodies the sufferings of the Palestinian people under siege whose every day is a struggle. He lived most of his life in exile but Palestine always lived in him and in his works. His works have been a bridge that made people from around the world sense the Palestinian struggle.

The opening ceremony, which will be in June 8, will start with a choreography directed by the Algerian choreographer Tony Gatlif and acted by artists from different nationalities from the West and the East who will gather together in this artistic piece re-perform the cherished legacy of Omar Khayyam’s creativity.

The second day, June 9 at Batha Museum, Gipsy Sentimento Paganini Ensemble from Hungary will perform pieces that draw from the traditional music of Central Europe. At the same time at Bab l’Makina, Sufi music fans will enjoy a spiritual evening that mixes between the genuine music of the Blues and the Gospel performed by the Arshie Shepp group from USA who will dig deep into their roots.

Sunday, June 10, will be an Arabic night par excellence either in Batha Museum or Bab l’Makina. The audience will be will be blown away by true Sufi mystical performances by the masters of the Sufi chanting and original Arabic music, such as the master of Sufi chanting in Egypt Sheikh Yassine Touhami, the giant Lebanese singer Wadie Safi along with George Safi, the powerful Tunisian voice Lotfi Bouchnak and the great Indian singer Moukhetyar Ali. The latter will have a concert on Monday, June 11 at Batha Museum where he will perform a collection of timeless songs by an Indian poet names Kabir who is highly esteemed in India for his valuable position in Indian poetic sphere.

In the framework of “Nights in the Medina”, four concerts will be organized on Monday, June 11. The first one will be at Dar al-Maqari where Mahsa & Marjan Vahdat from Iran will perform. The second one will be at Dar Adiyel by the Moroccan Ihsan Rmiqi. The two remaining concerts will be at Batha Museum performed by Mory Djely Kouyaté et Jean-Philippe Rykiel.

Tuesday, June 12, a classical performance with the MITO Settembre Musica from Italia will be given at Batha Museum. The second night of Nights in the Medina will resume by Rabbi Haim Louk and Abderahim Souiri from Morocco in a ceremony that will reflect the reality of convergence and cohesion between the people of one nation, Morocco, despite religious differences. They will both introduce a duet of a collection of songs based on Arabic and Hebrew poetry. At Dar Adiyel, the charming voice of Charifa will perform her Atlas songs that carry a whole culture within. Nour Ensemble from France and Iran will perform a collection of their amazing music just afterwards.

On Wednesday, June 13, the spirit the great late Mahmoud Darwish will be present and honored at Batha Museum through a special theatrical piece entitled “Song of Songs” created by Rodolph Burger to celebrate the eternal impact of Darwish.

Over the week, then, ancient music will prevail the streets of Fez as concerts will be launched on a daily basis starting from 4 pm. As the opening ceremony is going to bring out a strong performance, the closing ceremony will not be any less; the American folk singer, who is considered by many as a legend of American Popular music with a strong voice and a distinctive vocal style, will give a special closing performance at Bab l’Makina.

The ticket price to the festival ranges between 100dh and 600dh depending on the performances.

Detailed Program of the festival:

Friday, June 8, 2012:

• At 8.30 pm at Bab l’Makina:Opening Night: A tribute to Omar Khayyam by the Algerian Director and Choreographer Tony Gatlif.

Saturday, June 9, 2012:

• At 4 pm at Batha Museum: The Gipsy Sentimento Paganini Ensemble from Hungary.
• At 8.30 pm at Bab l’Makina: Arshie Shepp from USA. (A mix of Blues and Gospel)

Sunday, June 10, 2012:

• At 4 pm at Batha Museum: the Master of Sufi chanting Sheikh Yasin al-Tuhami.
• At 8.30 at Bab l’Makina: Wadie Safi and George Safi, and Lotfi Bouchnak from Tunisia.

Monday, June 11, 2012:

• At 4 pm at Batha Museum: Mukhtiyar Ali from India (will perform mystical songs by the great poet Kabir)
• From 8 pm to 10 pm at Dar Mokri: Mahsa and Marjan Vahdat Sisters from Iran.
• From 9 pm to 10.30 at Dar Adiyel: Ihsane Rmiki from Morocco (Andalusian Mouwachahates).
• At 8 pm at Batha Museum: Taraf de Haidouks from Romania.
• At 10 pm at Batha Museum : Mory Kouyaté Djely and Jean-Philippe Rykiel from France and Guinea.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012:

• At 4 pm at Batha Museum: Classical Performance by MITO Settembre Musica from Italy.
• From 8 pm to 10 pm at Dar Mokri: Rabbi Haim Louk and Abderrahim Souiri from Morocco.
• From 9 pm to 10 pm at Dar Adiyel: Charifa from the Middle Atlas, Morocco.
• At 9 pm at Batha Museum: Nour Ensemble from France and Iran.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012:

• From 8 pm to 10 pm at Dar Mokri: Rompesaraguey from Cuba.
• From 8 pm to 10 pm at Dar Adiyel: Terra Maire from France.
• At 10.30 pm at Cultural Complex Sidi Mohamed ben Youssef : Ibn Arabi Ensemble from Morocco.

Thursday, June 14, 2012:

At 4 pm at Batha Museum: Arabesques Ensemble from France and Spain.

At 8.30 pm at Bab l’Makina: Spiritual Chating by The Sama’a Group.

Friday, June 15, 2012:

• At 4 pm at Batha Museum: Sanam Maryi from Pakistan.
• At 8.30 pm at Bab l’Makina: Bjork – biophilia from Iceland.

Saturday, June 16, 2012:

• At 4 pm at Batha Museum: Anuj Mishra (Kathak Dance) from India.
• At 8.30 pm at Bab l’Makina: Joan Baez from USA.

By Nidal Chebbak

Morocco World News

The ‘CineClub’ of the Faculty of Science and Technology of Fez is planning on Wednesday, April 27 their 7th edition of  celebrating cinema. The film shown will address the theme “Morocco and the fight against corruption” -  guests of honor will include officials of TLC (MCC) and filmmakers, including those who worked on the feature film “Hadi W Touba”. The film will be followed  by a conference dicussing the topic of transparency in Morocco.

An party will be held on the evening at the party room Bahja 2 to wrap up in style the days events.

Café Clock is proud to sponsor a lunch for the organizers,

producers and director of the movie “Hadi W Touba”

More info about the movie: http://mabladi.blogspot.com/2010/09/film-marocain-hadi-wa-touba.html

Tickets for the day can be purchased at Café Clock or direct with the chairman of the ‘CineClub’ on Ali: 06 68549174 – Yassir: 06 79 44 76 50
 



Sunday evening concerts at Café Clock occur every week and start around 6:30. Our talented roster of local, popular musicians will regale you with traditional music and our local patrons and staff are always keen to participate with their traditional Moroccan moves and song. Come listen, clap along, dance or simply sit back and enjoy the show.

Concerts are just 20 dh per person and only 10 dh for students with I.D. cards.

Bonus entertainment was included as Zanouba belted out her songs to the accompaniment of Jilaiyat while her mother kept vigil in the corner, telling her what to sing next and ululating every chance she got.

A duet of modern dance followed the live music with two energetic and rubber-boned young men spinning on the floor, angling their bodies into improbable shapes and giving unique choreographic expression to the house music. A short hip hop performance followed with yet another young Moroccan man eager to entertain the packed house.

Sunday night concerts at Café Clock offer something much appreciated in Fes … a place where an equal number of foreigners and Moroccans gather together to appreciate talent and revel in the diversity life offers.

1001 Arabian Nights Auditions

Cafe Clock is happy to report Zanouba and Adil made the cut during the recent auditions for 1001 Arabian Nights in Rabat. Next stop: Casablanca where they are joining 40 other hopeful actors from around Morocco.

Zanouba and Adil rose to the occasion under the direction of Tim Supple as they warmed up in a series of exercises designed to put the actors at ease and get them in character. I myself participated in the warm-ups and had a great time pretending to be an actor.

Should all go well for  Zanouba and Adil, they will be asked to Egypt where final auditions will be held. After that, rehearsals begin in earnest.

Cafe Clock can’t imagine anything more gratifying than seeing two of Fes’ own get a shot at the ‘big time’. We wish nothing but the best for these two budding stars.

Better get your autographs next time you see Zanouba or Adil as there is every indication these two are on their way to the fame and fortune.

Sunday at Sunset 6:30pm

Amdah soufia Suffi songs with drums (free)

Every WEDNESDAY at 6:30 pm
Jam @ The Clock

CLOCK CULTURE MOVIES :

Thursday movie                           6:30pm

First Sunday Directed by David E. Talbert. With Ice Cube, Katt Williams, Tracy Morgan. Durell and LeeJohn are best friends and bumbling petty criminals attempting to deliver ten stolen wheelchairs worth $1200 each, they lose the merchandise in a police chase (Free)

CLOCK CULTURE EVENTS :

13^th Jan 2010 – 12^th Mar 2010

Dreaming In Pictures a photography exhibition by Taha Charkani

14^th Feb 2010 – 15^th Mar 2010

Smile a photography exhibition by Omar Chenaffi

13^th March 2010 -16^th May 2010

Architectonic Maroc a photography exhibition by Mathy