Media Release

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For immediate release
July 27, 2006

Baka Beyond brings unique fusion of West African beats and Celtic rhythms to Banff

Baka Beyond, Thursday, August 17 • 7:30 p.m.
Donald Cameron Hall Outdoor Amphitheatre, The Banff Centre
Adult $17, Student/Senior $14, Child $10, Arts Lover Passholders $10
The Banff Centre Box Office: 1-800-413-8368 or 762-6301
Presented as part of the 2006 Banff Summer Arts Festival

The Banff Centre’s outdoor amphitheatre will ring with the pulsating rhythms of African-Celtic fusion group Baka Beyond on August 17. Against a backdrop of grand views across the Bow Valley to the Bourgeau Range, the group returns to the Centre after last year’s spirited, irresistible performance raised the roof on the Margaret Greenham Theatre.

The group started when guitarist and composer Martin Cradick, of the world music band Outback, and vocalist Su Hart ventured into the rainforest of Cameroon to visit with the Baka people in 1991. They were inspired by the musical heritage of the Baka, and have been returning regularly, bringing royalty payments and helping to build a traditional Music House in the forest.

Since then, Baka Beyond has grown into a seven-person, world-touring fusion of Gaelic vocals, guitars, mandolins, and whistles with African drumbeats and centuries-old songs and rhythms. Their shows are a crackling mix of powerful beats, spectacular dancing and virtuoso musicianship. BBC reviewer Martin Longley called their music “virtually immune to cynical negativity, so forceful is its optimistic energy.”

Due to the outdoor venue, we suggest concertgoers bring extra clothes in case of inclement weather. The concert will take place rain or shine, but in the case of extreme bad weather, the event will move indoors to the Centre’s Eric Harvie Theatre.

The Banff Centre’s Fall 2006 Playbill Series opens with a trio of shows in late September, including Fiamma Fumana (Sept 24); Sarakasi – The Amazing African Acrobats (Sept 29); and Sons of Maxwell (Sept 30). The full fall line-up will be released soon.

Tickets for all Banff Centre events are available through The Banff Centre Box Office: 1-800-413-8368 or 403-762-6301.

For a high resolution, downloadable photo of Baka Beyond:
http://www.banffcentre.ca/media_room/images/playbill/

For more information on the 2006 Banff Summer Arts Festival:
http://www.banffcentre.ca/bsaf/2006