culture mixes

Subject: culture mixes
From: Fay
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 09:31 AM

In my local folk club people play English music, scottish music, Irish, American and Australian musics.

Within the local area, however, there is a strong Italian and Ukranian community and very large Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities. Why are their traditional musics not represented in our club, and generally on the folk scene as a whole.

Is it purely because of the English language thing, or are some links more important to 'our' heritage than others?

Food wise we are much more likely to eat a curry than go for an Austrailian, why are we not as accepting with our musical tastes?

Subject: RE: culture mixes
From: Mr Happy
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 09:41 AM

maybe the other cultures don't know about our kind of folk get togethers, folk clubs, sessions, sing ars, etc.

have you tried canvassing them? fliers/posters & so on in their cultural centres/ social clubs?

Subject: RE: culture mixes
From: Fay
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 09:55 AM

Our folk club is held in the Ukranian Centre, but still they don't come!

Having most events in pubs isn't very encouraging of the Asian community so I supose there are more issues.

Subject: RE: culture mixes
From: Fay
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 10:14 AM

I've just read down some other threads on the site and come across the Racial and homophobic issues things down in BS. Sorry if this is overload with a similar kind of subject - I should have been out trolling earlier!

Subject: RE: culture mixes
From: GUEST,Ahmed Iram
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 01:48 PM

We do get the occasional asian at our folk club and we've had the one or two black musicians attend - but I agree we should be out there promoting our music to ALL. I suppose the bearded, tankard full 'o real ale image doesn't do much to encourage ethnic diversity at folk clubs.

Subject: RE: culture mixes
From: Gavin
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 06:26 PM

"Promoting our music to all" ---- and deliberately seeking out, welcoming and including other musical traditions.

Years ago, I was part of a folk club in Yemen - and we had any number of traditions (Chinese, Dutch etc etc etc) and crossovers adding to the richness. Aaah - happy memories!

All best - Gavin

Subject: RE: culture mixes
From: greg stephens
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 06:49 PM

I have managed to persuade Iraqis and Afghans to come and sing at a pub session in Stoke...it doesnt have to be a problem the pub thing. Also many Africans. You do have to be actively welcoming though. I dont think many of the folk clubs in this area are showing any interest, for example. The Sandbach folk club was extremely welcoming, and had its biggest turnout for ages for some African guests, but alas this is not being repeated elsewhere as much as I would like to see.

Subject: RE: culture mixes
From: mack/misophist
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 09:41 PM

The impression I get from Chinese friends is making music is considered a profession there, not done by amatures except in the smaller villages. The conductor, S Ozawa, once said that he never heard Japanese music until he was an adult. He said it wasn't that popular except as a historical side line.

Subject: RE: culture mixes
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 10:46 PM

Its an empire thing. The cultures you mention Fay, are/were at one time, all part of the English speaking British empire, and so share many aspects of culture, like food, religion, dress, etc. But especially the pub, which is where, in the last 30-50 years (depending on where you are) a lot of music gets played.

The Italians and Ukranians don't share those political, social, linguistic and cultural ties, hence their absence from your folk club.