Job Discussion Forums

[Geronimo]

The International Jazz Evening of SMF 2012 -
at the Sohar Crowne Plaza Hotel was
an entertaining event.

The "Oman Observer" carried a report on the performances...
http://omanobserver.om/node/88191

This Thursday, 29th March, the first "Omani Night"
in this music festival's history
will take place at the Sohar Entertainment Centre.


Geronimo

[Geronimo]

Videos of the SMF 2012 International Jazz Evening
are now on youtube...

The opening pulsating beats were provided by the
Yehya Khalil Band from Egypt...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTQJRnUIB0g ;

followed by the cool jazz of the Saskia Laroo Band
from Amsterdam...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=sups9102Uh0 ;

and rounded off by the raucous rock of The Stirrrs -
also from Amsterdam...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya0l_0iema8&feature=related

Enjoy!

[Geronimo]

The Sohar Music Festivals' first ever "Omani Night"
of musical performances took place on 29th March.

Photos of that night's performances are now available on
the SMF's flickr website...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/soharmusicfestival/page2/

Geronimo

[Geronimo]

A HD video of the Jam Session at this year's SMF
has just been uploaded onto youtube by the Groovinlawyer.

"Get down to the funky music!"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwvXkR08RGE


Geronimo

[Geronimo]

Do you remember the Woodstock Festival?
Well, on Friday, 14th June 2013 there will be
a Jebelstock!!

It is going to be held at a site somewhere on Jebel Akhdar...
I'm sorry if that sounds imprecise.

4 wheel drives are compulsory in order to pass the police checkpoint;
and you are advised to take your own camping gear;
firewood, (or woodstock), and a pooper scooper.

The bands include 50 Degrees, Noisy Neighbours,
Wadi Dogs,the T Band and Orion 123.

Does anyone have plans to locate this music festival?

Is it marked on Google Earth?

Geronimo

[Geronimo]

Sadly, there won't be a Sohar Music Festival this year as
Oman's Ministry of Tourism? has clamped down on the performance of live music across the country
due to its inherently lascivious nature.

So, as a result, only a few select artistes, such as
Sir Tom 'Sex bomb, sex bomb, you're a sex bomb' Jones,
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkFfK-mh1kQ -
are being allowed into the country to perform....
http://www.muscatmutterings.com/2013/09/ministry-of-tourisms-ruling-on-live.html

The aptly-named 'Y' magazine quotes the Ministry of Tourism?'s
Sami Al Sahli....

The Ministry of Tourism’s view

Y spoke to Sami al Salhi, head of media at the Ministry. This is what he had to say:
“Only four and five-star hotels are allowed to have bands but no dancing, only classical music and no more than three musicians performing at any one time. The rule is very clear on this.
“It is a permanent ruling. This was implemented after a lot of demand from the Shura Council and families. They don’t want dancing with bands. It represents the country badly.
“The Ministry of Tourism is responsible for organising and enforcing these rules. It will work to organise this with the hotels.
“In our view, it won’t affect business. They have enough income without having to do this sort of entertainment (dancing groups), especially since there are exceptions to the rule, e.g. classical music.”

Q. Does the band have to be one woman and two men?
A. No

Q. Can a one-man band play, i.e. a pianist in a hotel lobby?
A. Yes, no problem.

Q. Can the band be Omani or have any Omani members?
A. Yes, they are welcome!

Q. Does the band need a licence from their embassy or the Ministry?
A. They need to be professional musicians. The hotel will arrange a licence with the Ministry for them to perform.

Q. Is a band allowed to perform outside?
A. In the grounds of the hotel is okay but not outside there. All performances to finish at midnight.

Q. What do you mean by classical music?
A. It can be all types, such as traditional (Arabic), rock and pop.

http://www.y-oman.com/2013/09/music-stops/




Geronimo

[Geronimo]

An Omani musician friend of mine informs me that a
petition against the clampdown on live performances
is going to be submitted to H.M. Sultan Qaboos.

Let's hope that it receives a sympathetic hearing.

Geronimo