Dialog Gig Review

The Dialog concert at the Chichester Festival Theatre, which aims to promote a wealth of global rhythms, movements and cultural traditions from World wide musical backgrounds, was a huge success. It opened with the Congolese band Kasai Masai and their three dancers.

Kasai Masai, a very talented band, influenced by folk and afro-jazz, afro-funk, Rumba and a host of other traditional styles. They played some happy addictive music, included humour and showed excellent audience participation skills. This was rewarded as their performance "went down a storm" with the audience who clapped and joined in the with the singing, the younger members danced.



Amongst all the fun there were opertunities for more serious educational moments for the younger audience too. The band members spoke of the charitable needs, aid and issues of concern throughout the world.

After a break, the schools and young people' s workshops performed their specially written dance and music pieces.

First came a new innovation to the project - VJ-ing (which to the uninitiated is just as much a performance piece as being a dancer or musician as it involves producing and projecting images relevant to, and at the same time as, the live performance) - which in this instance was Kasai Masai's song 'Tumalele'. VJ artists from Durrington High School and The Angmering School researched and edited their material having had no previous experience. As an inter-school collaboration it was a massive success.

The second act was Bognor Regis Community College with their piece of music 'Undivided', performed to the accompaniment of Kasai Masai. The audience also thoroughly enjoyed this performamce.

Next on stage was Angmering School. Ten musicians and eleven dancers from the same school on the same stage with minimal delay was an achievement for all concerned but totally justified for their presentation of 'Journey' which was of the calibre of a professional choreographer.

Afterwards, the group 'home-team' from the Bishop Luffa School remixed music by Kasai Masai adding a percussive beat, adding perfect accompaniment to the dance piece 'Tribal Movements'.



The next act was from Durrington High School. They performed complex dance routines that were superbly executed to accompany their musicians for 'Congo Fusion'.

Near to the end of the show the best act of the night was revealed. "Boys Company" , a four-strong male dance troupe, "stole the show" with fantastic moves. This group was born from Sue Ringwood' s belief that there is a need for such a body in the County. It was well-founded and may give rise to the new Carlos Costa - from West Sussex !

Rounding off the evening it was appropriate that Kasai Masai returned to the stage and performed 'Matiale' to the accompaniment of the VJs from Angemering, and Durrington Schools. Afterward a party was thrown with everyone on the stage with all the artists of the night jamming together. Emotions were high for both adults and children. A splendid finale.



Roots have been organising the Dialog Project since 2008. It is aimed at 13-16 year olds, and more than 12 West Sussex schools have participated. For eleven weeks they prepare for the Dialog Project public performance through weekly 2-hour after-school workshops. On the evening of the event they showcase their creativity in the form of public performance. The Dialog gig is funded from organisations such as Arts Council England(South & South East), Youth Music and the West Sussex Arts Partnership.

Further information regarding the Dialog Project and its participants can ve viewed at http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/ccm/content/leisure-and-tourism/arts/west-sussex-arts-partnership.en?page=2

Or http://www.rootsaroundtheworld.info/

Also read more information about Kasai Masai and hear their music at http://www.myspace.com/kasaimasai