Courtship, seduction in music
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Updated: July 01, 2009 8:53 AM
It’s the 21st Century and the western world has reduced the fine art of courtship and seduction to keystrokes, emoticons and a list by some inventive guy named Craig, says Lori Wilbur, Roots and Blues Festival marketing director.
“We are in an era where relationships are built upon the reliability of the Intel processor and have less and less to do with mankind’s five senses,” she says.
Is this an evolution of the process or are we losing the most enjoyable aspects of courtship and seduction? Have we turned the pursuit of partnership into a “fast-food” experience, where we sacrifice the chase for immediate and impersonal gains?
The Music For Courtship and Seduction workshop is hosted by the curious and devilishly minded Veda Hille, who has recently composed an opera on Craigslist courtship.
For Hille, music is a playground that goes well beyond formal structures as it explores the far reaches of her vibrant imagination.
Her recording of Birdsong is a brilliantly innocent study of how the chickadee attracts suitors. Hille will be joined by the Croatian ethno-ambient band Kries, who will bring the ancient and cultural stories from their homeland.
The belly dancing of Roula Said, an obvious ingredient to a review of seduction, will accompany Arabic-Canadian artist Maryem Tollar. Tollar has been investigating ancient courtship music throughout her career and is highly regarded as an Arabic ethno-musicologist.
As this is a study of the evolution of courtship and seduction, where would western culture be without cabaret and burlesque?
The incomparable Ana Bon-Bon will lead the audience through these genres that have roots that go as far back as the 18th century.
Mexican folk artist, Rana Santacruz, will walk participants through a variety of Mexican traditions and rituals, and how they have changed in a culture where celebration is a way of life.
Music For Courtship and Seduction is comprised of two 90-minute workshops over the festival weekend, and will be featured on the World Stage.
“Join us in exploring past cultural traditions and environmental influences and let’s see if we can predict how the fine art of courtship and seduction will unfold in the years to come,” invites Wilbur.
Tickets are available online at www.roosandblues.ca or by calling 250-833-4096.
A full lineup of this year’s performers is also available on the website.
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