Moroccan musician Hakmoun to perform

The Wisconsin Union Theater‘s 2002-2003 Performance Series opens on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 8 p.m. with extraordinary Moroccan musician Hassan Hakmoun and his six-member band. Patrons are encouraged to hold on to their ticket stubs. After the show, the stubs can be used for free entry to a dance party and free refreshments in Great Hall (fourth floor, Memorial Union), where WORT’s DJ Trini will spin sizzling PanAfrican dance music until 2 a.m.

Son of a Moroccan Gnawa healer, Hakmoun began performing publicly in the Djemma el-Fna square of Marrakech during his very early childhood. By the age of 7, he began to play the sintir, a three-stringed, long-necked African lute used in the derdeba trance ceremonies of the Gnawa, Morocco’s descendants of African slaves. In these all-night rituals, evil spirits are exorcised though the hypnotic playing and chanting that Hakmoun has introduced to the world. Now Morocco’s best-known musician, Hakmoun has played with Don Cherry, The Kronos Quartet, Paula Cole and Peter Gabriel, who described Hakmoun’s vocal capacities as among the most intriguing in the world.

Hakmoun’s first international album, Trance, was released on Peter Gabriel’s Real World label in 1992. Several others followed suit to much acclaim. His latest album, The Gift, has been described by Thomas Rome of African Hypertext as “nearly orchestral in the scope of its aspirations, yet gracefully loose – in the way ensemble music sounds best in almost any African culture. Through (or above) all of it, that captivating voice so fondly praised by Peter Gabriel maintains a benevolent and tranquil mastery. Running throughout this extraordinary record is a poised spirituality, hand-in-hand with unbridled energy. The mixture can be breathtaking.”

DJ Trini hosts PanAfrica, WORT 89.9 FM’s African diaspora music show, which airs every Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. An acclaimed DJ, Trini is famed for his ability to keep crowds dancing all night long. Free Middle Eastern and African refreshments will be provided early in the party.

Tickets for the performance and dance are $30 for the general public, $29 for Union members and $14.50 for UW–Madison students. Or buy seven or more general public vouchers for only $27 each. Five or more student vouchers may be purchased for only $10 each. Sponsored by Wisconsin Union Directorate with support from WORT, 89.9 FM.