Flags flying high in a huge visual impact

BY FELICITY ROSS

Womad is the world of music and dance and visual artist Angus Watt loves to decorate its stage.

The UK-based artist was flown out to assemble the 100 colourful flags to turn New Plymouth's Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl of Brooklands into Womad's global village.

Mr Watt has worked on Womad festivals worldwide since 1994 and this weekend's event will mark his third in Taranaki.

"In the past, the flags used for Taranaki's Womad have been those used at Womadelaide, but this time they have been freighted over from the UK," Mr Watt said.

The artist provided the flags for Taranaki Womad in 2003 and 2005 and said organisers got him back this year, after having problems the last few years.

"It can be quite complicated to make them work and with the bad weather here over the last few years, they needed someone who could straighten out the technical issues."

It took Mr Watts and his team three days to erect the flags.

Womad: Into the groove

As the gates to Womad 2010 opened last night, so did the heavens – but the rain did nothing to dampen spirits.

For the third year in a row, rain threatened to spoil the first night of the annual event, but people had come prepared with plastic ponchos, umbrellas and jackets.

The crowd of thousands at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands was undaunted by the sporadic showers and a cool wind.

National Party minister Georgina te Heuheu opened the festival, proclaiming: "This festival offers New Zealanders a broad showcase of global acts where diversity in race and taste is an advantage," she said.

The formalities over, Chicago band Hypnotic Brass Ensemble took over the Bowl stage and from the sound of the first trumpet, the crowd was hooked.

The band of brothers warmed the audience up immediately, with their vibrancy and energy.

Sorrel Hines of Dunedin could not sit still during the set.

"I can't stop moving my body," she said.

Ms Hines has attended Womad every year it has been staged in Taranaki, but this year is special because it's a first for her nine-year-old daughter, Paige.

"I just hope she loves the music and the vibe as much as I do, so I can bring her back every year." As for the weather, Ms Hines was optimistic.

"Who cares? I'm not going to let the rain stop me from enjoying the weekend."

Meanwhile, on the smaller Chimney Stage, the Mairtin O'Connor Trio of Ireland entertained a large crowd with their brand of Celtic fare.

On the Gables Stage, Te Whanau-a-Apanui kapa haka group performed with gusto.

Up at Taste the World, French group Babylon Circus treated people to their ska-punk infused music and their cuisine.

The band cooked up skate wings (flat stingray) with camembert for eager customers, who were all keen to give the French dish a try.

Over at the Global Food Village, long lines were forming as tummies rumbled for the tastes of other lands.

The crowd was a mix of young and old, alternative and straight-laced, with a hint of Woodstock spirit.

As the sun set, Palestinian artist Amal Murkus took over the Brooklands stage with her hypnotic voice.

The audience space was almost bursting at the seams, with people straining to see Murkus and immerse themselves in her music.

Womad continues today and tomorrow from midday.

- © Fairfax NZ News