Penn Kemp presents Helwa! a sound opera

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 - 7:00pm

Cherryhill Library
301 Oxford St, West
Cherryhill Mall
London , ON
N6H 1S6

Penn Kemp and The Helwa Ensemble present Helwa! a sound opera: experiencing ancient Egypt with Light of East musicians Mary Ashton and Panayiotis Giannarapis, sound artist Jocelyn Drainie, belly dancer Ishra Blanco and the Giannarapis Triplets!

In the 1985 season, after two tourists had been killed by terrorists at the temple complex of Giza, tour leaders were invited back to Egypt on a familiarization tour. Penn Kemp was selected from the group to spend the night between the paws of the Sphinx. In her introduction to the chapbook, Penn writes, "Last spring’s Cairene revolution was so inspiring that I felt impelled to return again to that land of the heart, at least in poetry. Helwa! is dedicated in hope to the people of Egypt. The word means ‘Beautiful’ in Arabic.”

Mary Ashton and Panayiotis Giannarapis will play several pieces. Jocelyn Drainie and Penn will perform “Poem for Peace in Two Voices” in English and Ancient Egyptian.

Helwa!, the chapbook, will be for sale. It will also be available in an electroacoustic version on Night Vision from Pendas Productions.

Free admission.
Contact: ellie.contursi@lpl.london.on.ca, 519-439-6456.