By Khalida Sarwari
Over the next two weeks, an international consortium of 25 musicians ranging from experimental producers to traditional virtuosi to indie-rockers is coming together at the Montalvo Arts Center to collaboratively write, produce, record and perform musical works of all genres.
Throughout the two weeks, they’ll be designing public engagement workshops and informal performances, while developing new work and learning from one another.
The musicians’ residency will culminate with free public performances on Oct. 25 from 2 to 6 p.m. Similar to a music festival, the program will feature group performances staged throughout Montalvo’s grounds, in addition to activities, wine and beer, and gourmet food trucks.
This marks the second year in a row that Montalvo is hosting OneBeat, said Angela McConnell, the center’s executive director. She said she’s thrilled that they chose Montalvo as the site for their residency again this year.
“I think they had such a phenomenal experience last year, and it’s such a mutual mission around supporting and embracing the creative process; that’s what OneBeat is doing, and that’s what Montalvo’s core mission is,” McConnell said. “What’s even more special this time is Montalvo’s community now knows how extraordinary this was last year, so they have an anticipation of what this will be. We now understand that we’re in the presence of something quite remarkable.”
This year’s crop of musicians range in age from 19 to 35 and hail from 17 different countries and territories, including Russia, Cuba, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Venezuela and the U.S.
Among them are Ng Chor Guan, a sound designer, composer and environmentalist from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Dragana Tomi, a traditional Balkan vocalist and ethnomusicologist from Belgrade, Serbia, who is one of the country’s first professional female kaval players; Vieux Cissokho, a Senegalese Griot musician specializing in the kora; and Katherine Suavita Niño, a circus performer and cumbia accordionist from Bogotá, Colombia, who works with communities affected by violence.
Founded in 2012, OneBeat encourages its fellows to step out of their comfort zones and work with local industry leaders to craft workshops and discussions in the spirit of building an international, socially aware artistic community. For example, in the past, fellows have formed unusual ensembles and duets, such as a rapper paired with a classical violinist and a maraca player, and have even performed in unusual venues, including a jam session in a Wal-Mart, making music with items like a chair and a rubber ball.
The musicians are in town as part of OneBeat, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s bureau of educational and cultural affairs that seeks out participants who tend to challenge traditional modes of creativity and thought. The fellowship is produced by Bang on a Can’s Found Sound Nation, a collective of musicians and artists who leverage the mediums of music, audio and video to give underrepresented communities and youth a voice.
Visit montalvoarts.org/events/onebeat for more information.
