A groundbreaking concert is being staged at the Giza Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt, May 28 and 29, featuring Canadian rapper Snow and pop singer Jacynthe, and top Egyptian stars Mohamed Mounir, and Anoushka.
Top producer and recent Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Bob Ezrin will be recording the event for a DVD.
Visionnation 2004 is a cultural exchange between Canada and Egypt, celebrating 50 years of relations between the two countries, and demonstrating strengthened international relations with the production of two music festivals. The other will be staged at Jacques Cartier Park in Ottawa, Ont., on June 12 and 13.
Ezrin, producer of classic albums by Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd and Kiss, has never been to Egypt before and is excited by the project.
“It just fascinates me. I’m a world music fan and the concept of a festival by the pyramids is just a little romantic,” says Ezrin. “So this for me is an amazing opportunity. I’ve always learned more about places when I’ve worked there. I’ve wanted to go but to go under these circumstances is perfect.”
While the concerts are an Egyptian and Canadian initiative, artists from all over the world are also on the bill, including Dissidenten (Germany), Oriental Mood (Denmark), Marwood (America), as well as Fathy Salama (Egypt), Evren (Canada), Last Supper (Canada), and Psycho Key (Canada).
One international star and one more Egyptian act will be announced on April 15. The current line-up is subject to change.
Ezrin may be recording such Middle Eastern instruments as an oud or rababa, but doesn’t anticipate any logistical problems with acquiring the right recording gear in Egypt.
“So far, no problems,” Ezrin says. “Why? Because I haven’t spoken with anyone from over there yet (laughs). I don’t anticipate any. Listen, Egypt is a robust market. They have a lot of music and they do a lot of studio work and recording so I don’t think I’ll have a problem. “It’s all sound. “I kind of know what I’m doing,” says the man just inducted into the at the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame by Alice Cooper. “I’ve recorded just about everything in a variety of ways so there’s really no magic. Once I hear them and see them, I’ll know what I’ll want to do.”
Music industry symposiums will also be held in both countries. In Cairo, on May 25, there will be seminars covering everything from Egyptian copyright law to Egyptian radio and the licensing of Canadian music. There are 290 million people in the Arabic-speaking world; 70 million alone in Egypt. Avril Lavigne and Nickelback have both reportedly broken the market that is saturated with Arabic music.
In Ottawa, on June 9 and 10, there will be workshops and the sharing of Egyptian culture entitled Vision Exchange, promoting music education and sharing Egyptian culture.
A nominal entry fee will be charged for each festival, with proceeds going to The Ryan Well Foundation and Association of Friends of the National Cancer Institute (AFNCI).
Canadian Ryan Hreljac started The Ryan Well Foundation when he was just 6 years old. His mission is to provide clean water and health-related services to people in Africa and other developing countries. Egypt’s Association of Friends of the National Cancer Institute (AFNCI) aims to help build, equip and maintain a world-class pediatric oncology hospital and support education and research efforts of the National Cancer Institute.