The 11th GNAOUA & WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL

26th - 29th June 2008 - Essaouira

ESSAOUIRA IN TRANCE!

The Gnaoua Festival and Musics of the World of Essaouira still plans to surprise its faithful and cosmopolitan audience this year. Crossing the symbolic course of 10 years and 500 000 festival-goers, the festival proposes this year a rich programme, reaffirming its incentive to emphasize the Gnaoua heritage in all its variety and to invite the best world and jazz artists to come and perform in the unique and magical town of Essaouira.

The festival will first honour the gnaoua musicians with a new stage, which is dedicated to them at Bab Doukkala, allowing the ardent supporters of the Gnaoua rhythms to meet with the stars, from Hamid El Kasri to Abdelkebir Merchane, for 100% Gnaoua concerts, as well as the traditional lilas in the exceptional Gnaoua Zaouia every evening at midnight for the purists.

World and jazz musicians will perform every evening on the stage of Bab Sebaa, offering a combination of the best current sounds: from the unexpected Trio Joubran, featuring three oud-playing brothers, to the English genius of bluesman Justin Adams, as well as the incredible Toumani Diabaté and the Korean traditional percussions of the Salmunori Group.

ARTISTS

World Artists

Franck Vaillant www.franckvaillant.com

Jaleel Shaw "Alto Saxophonist" (New York) www.jaleelshaw.com

Mohamed Derouich (France / Morocco)

Stéphane Edouard (India / France)

Hassane Idbassaid (Morocco) www.idbassaid.com

Abdennour Djemai (France / Algeria)

Andy Narell "steel drums" (USA) http://www.eyefortalent.com/eft-bio/SakeshoBio.doc

Jon Balke "Piano" (Norway) www.magnetic.no

Ibrahim Maalouf "trumpet" (Lebanon) www.ibrahimmaalouf.com

Invited Bands

Eric Legnini Trio www.concerts.fr/Biographie/eric-legnini-2

Joubran Trio www.letriojoubran.com

Moroccan Bands

Groupe Darhem
Berber Band Raïss Saïd Outajajt
Groupe Paco Ghiwane
Wachmân Hit www.myspace.com/wachmnhitexwailersmaroc
Hmadcha
Ganga (Smimou)
Haddarates
Issaoua of Meknes
Kif Samba

Gnaoua Bands

More than 28 Maalems & Gnaoua Bands

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

The following Packages (Prices) include:

Four (04) Nights Accommodation on HALF BOARD at the selected Hotel in ESSAOUIRA + Three (03) Nights Accommodation on Bed & Breakfast in the selected hotel in MARRAKECH + Transfers: Marrakech Airport - Hotel in Marrakech - Marrakech Airport + Transfers: Marrakech - Essaouira - Marrakech + Full pass to all the concerts.

OPTION 1: SOFITEL THALASSA MOGADOR 5 Star in ESSAOUIRA & SOFITEL HOTEL 5 Star in MARRAKECH

Price per person: £695
Single room Supplement: £200

OPTION 2: SOFITEL THALASSA MOGADOR 5 Star in ESSAOUIRA & ATLAS MEDINA HOTEL 5 Star or ROYAL MIRAGE HOTEL 5 Star in MARRAKECH

Price per person: £615
Single room Supplement: £160

OPTION 3:

4 Star Hotel in ESSAOUIRA (LES ILES HOTEL or RYAD MOGADOR HOTEL)
4 Star Hotel in MARRAKECH (ATLAS HOTEL or TICHKA HOTEL or FARAH HOTEL)

Price per person: £489
Single room Supplement: £100

FLIGHTS TO MARRAKECH

For the best deals on flights to Marrakech please contact our Reservation Department on

ESSAOUIRA

A fascinating former Portuguese fishing port - Located 176 Km west of Marrakech on a fine sandy bay, Essaouira makes for a welcome break on Morocco's Atlantic coastline. Shallow, clean water makes it an ideal spot for families and in the summer is much used by windsurfers. Today, standing on the impressive battlements looking out over the line of cannon and on out to sea it is impossible not to think of the history this town has seen and the daily adventures of the local fishing boat crews. If you want to experience Morocco's many faces then you should not miss Essaouira - great as a combination with Marrakech.

The medina is enclosed by 5 main gates and is the town's main attraction - In all a charming town of amiable people offering endless enjoyment.

Transfer Time from Airport:

2 hours from Marrakech (private transfer)
3 hours from Agadir (private transfer)