Dili Sunset Fair Association: September 2011

Monday, 26 September 2011

Heads Up!! All the way from Boston: Fabulous American Music from Earth String Band this Friday, September 30th

The Earth String Band

at Sunset Fair, Friday, September 30th at 7pm

Earth String Band (Boston, Massachusetts) combines bluegrass and contemporary acoustic music with soulful songwriting and musicianship. Fiery and improvisational, The Earth String Band creates pulsing earthy rhythms and melodious hooks that form a unique, infective vibe. The group’s musical influences include the John Hartford String Band, The Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe, and Jimmy Martin. The Earth String Band aims to spread the message of cultural harmony through pounding grooves that transcend boundaries and speak to all generations.

STASH WYSLOUCH (ACOUSTIC GUITAR) studied at the Berklee College of Music where he majored in acoustic guitar performance and immersed himself in the bluegrass community. After graduating from Berklee in 2010, Wyslouch joined a variety of different bands and toured internationally with the Boston Boys, Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers, and The Earth String Band. Wyslouch brings a quirky edge to these groups, with his driving rhythm guitar and deliberate leads, as well as his love of American acoustic music and appreciation for contemporary heavy metal.

SAM GRISMAN (BASS) is the son of renowned mandolin player David Grisman. From an early age, Grisman was exposed to his father’s eclectic musical tastes and was surrounded by legendary musicians such as Edgar Meyer, Martin Taylor, Ralph Stanley, and Del McCoury. At 12, he began to play professionally with his father’s band David Grisman Bluegrass Experience. After studying for two semesters at the Berklee College of Music, Grisman became a full time bass player and teacher. In addition to touring with The David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Sarah Jarosz, The Boston Boys, and The Deadly Gentlemen, he has recently been on the road with Darol Anger’s Republic of Strings, and Bearfoot.

ANDY REINER (FIDDLE AND VIOLIN) graduated from the Berklee College of Music in 2008. He learned to play the fiddle from his father Dave Reiner, a fiddle contest champion and author. He has played with a variety of musical groups including his family’s Reiner Family Band, heavy metal group Devil in the Kitchen, folk/ hip hop band FiddleFoxx, and several string bands, The Earth String Band, Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers. Reiner has composed five major works for string orchestra that have been performed at the Berklee Performance Center and the Kennedy Center. Last year, Reiner published a book of 54 original compositions for fiddle/violin, and he is currently working on a new fiddle instruction book with his father.

ERIC ROBERTSON (MANDOLIN) attended high school at the Weaver Academy for the Performing and Visual Arts and is currently in his final year at the Berklee College of Music. At Berklee, he developed his passion for songwriting and mandolin playing, and in his explorations found connections between R&B and country music. Robertson’s love of performing resulted in the formation of his band, The Boston Boys. In addition to touring internationally with newgrass band, Northern Lights, and progressive acoustic jazz sextet, Dr. Magpie, he collaborates with rising singer-songwriters Emily Elbert, Margaret Glaspy, and Jenna Belle. Robertson’s debut album is entitled Listen.

The program is co-produced by Jazz at Lincoln Center, the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and the U.S. Embassy in Dili.

Thursday, 22 September 2011

Sunset Fair - Yeah Yeah!

This Friday, September 23rd, we're looking forward to seeing a great kids' movie (which most adults actually enjoy too.... ) - "Happy Feet", brought to you by Cinema Lorosa'e. Click on the link to see the trailer. There will also be a live music from "5 de Oriente"... and all of your favourite food and handicrafts stalls. The Sunset Fair is also going to be open on SATURDAYS from now on - starting 9am and closing at 5pm. This will give everyone the opportunity to visit during their day at the seaside - and Kristu Rei is one of the country's most beautiful beaches.

Last Friday's Sunset Fair was a cracker. The evening started out with Fair regulars The LORO Band, who are getting a name for their slick performances of classic blues, reggae and rock songs. Then, we were thrilled to welcome our special guests from Indonesia, the Yeah Yeah Boys, who had the audience up and dancing to an eclectic range of music, including some good old Kore Metan songs for the traditional set. Brassy and sassy, the Yeah Yeah Boys sent the crowds home happy after a wonderful evening; one of our best yet.

Caltech was the weekly sponsor of the Bouncy Castle, which meant that thanks to them all of the kids could have a go for free... If you or your company would like to sponsor the castle for a week (or longer) and make a whole lot of children VERY happy, contact Sheilla Corte Real Caldas on 7230870. It only costs a couple of hundred dollars!