Folk-Opera in Sefrou on Saturday

The contrast between modern urban life and the social structure of a village is the theme of a folk-opera to be performed in Sefrou on Saturday February 28th 

Village Dial Waheda (A Village of One) was developed by Paula Jeanine Bennett (pictured above), a New York based vocalist, percussionist, composer and artist, and first performed in Indonesia. It has been adapted as part of a month long residency with Culture Vultures in Sefrou.

The original concept was inspired by Bennett’s observations of the loneliness of daily life in her home of Brooklyn, New York, a city where fifty percent of people live alone. Bennett has contrasted this to the social structure of the small market town of Sefrou in the Middle Atlas.

Forty local women auditioned for a cast which includes a small choir in addition to traditional musicians and a local storyteller.

Sefrou locals audition for Village Dial Waheda

Following the performance in Sefrou on Saturday, February 28th, Bennett will visit the American Language Centers in Meknes, Fez and Casablanca where variations of the production will take place. Her Moroccan tour wraps up at the ALC in Tetouan,

A scene from the performance in Java

Bennet has performed in Italy, Indonesia, London, India and Japan. In New York City she as appeared at the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and Brooklyn Academy of Music. Paula is on the staff of the prestigious Juilliard School as well as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center.

When: Saturday 28th February at 2.30 p.m.
Where: Town Hall, Sefrou
Info: Culture Vultures

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