Since its launch in 1992, the Bahrain International Music Festival returns every year in the Kingdom of Bahrain while celebrating International Music Day, merging diverse cultures and heritages from around the Arab world and beyond, and presenting them to the Kingdom through cultural sites.
In its 28th consecutive year, the festival comes part of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities’ year-long celebrations, under the theme “Our Year of Celebrations”. The festival will highlight various musical genres ranging from orchestra, rock and pop, to the Kingdom’s very own traditional tunes. Several embassies in the Kingdom also have a great contribution towards the festival, such as the Embassy of France and the Embassy of Germany.
A special classical musical evening starring French opera orchestra, L'Orchestre Lamoureux, founded in Paris in 1881 by Charles Lamoureux.
Date: 19 October 2019 | Time: 8:00 p.m. | Venue: Bahrain National Theatre | Country: France | Age: 10 years & above | Genre: Orchestra
In an indie-folk musical evening combining vocal hooks, guitar-driven melodies and soulful upbeat sounds, Bahraini musician Mo Zowayed will take the audience on a wanderlust journey through his transient experiences.
Date: 20 October 2019 | Time: 8:00 p.m. | Venue: Cultural Hall | Country: Kingdom of Bahrain | Genre: Song | Age: 10 years & above | Free Admission
The French Ensemble Contraste presents a variety of musical genres including classical, tango, musical comedy, jazz, and more in a thrilling musical evening.
Date: 22 October 2019 | Time: 8:00 p.m. | Venue: Cultural Hall | Country: France | Genre: Concert | Age: 10 years & above | In collaboration with the Embassy of France | Free Admission
In their very first concert outside of Europe, German rock band "Treptow" are set to present their energetic songs in their native language and bring the sound of Berlin to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Date: 23 October 2019 | Time: 8:00 p.m. | Venue: Cultural Hall | Country: Germany | Genre: Rock | Age: 14 years & above | In collaboration with the Embassy of Germany | Free Admission
Versatile artist Daline Jabbour specializes in oud, vocal coaching, classical Arabic and Soufi music. In addition to her performance, a group of specialized musical experts in the domain of improvising in accordance with the Takht Standard of Arabic Music will accompany her.
Date: 24 October 2019 | Time: 8:00 p.m. | Venue: Cultural Hall | Country: Lebanon | Genre: Song | Age: 10 years & above | Free Admission
The Bahrain Music Band are set to bring back some of the most joyous memories filled with nostalgia from the songs and music of TV drama. These series spoke society’s language, in terms of the reality and aspirations that they portray, and had a massive impact on forming the identities of the Bahraini and Arab societies on a similar level, while leaving a memorable mark in our contemporary history.
Date: 25 October 2019 | Time: 8:00 p.m. | Venue: Cultural Hall | Country: Kingdom of Bahrain | Genre: Music | Age: 10 years & above | Free Admission
A live performance highlighting the various styles of the uniquely Bahraini Fjiri tradition, a mystical genre that traces its roots back to the island’s glorious legacy of its world-famous pearling heritage.
Date: 26 October 2019 | Time: 8:00 p.m. | Venue: Building 1068, Road 1617, Block 216 Muharraq | Country: Kingdom of Bahrain | Genre: Song | Age: 10 years and above | Free Admission
Registration is required on www.culture.gov.bh
Drum Making Workshop for Children
Date: 19 October, 2019
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Venue: Dar Almuharraq
Age: 6 - 12 years
Folk art has always been closely linked to our heritage; emotions were expressed during the long diving trips through music and its various instruments. In this workshop, participants will be introduced to pearling music and “Marawas”, where they will learn more about the instrument and get the opportunity to make their very own drums.
Choir Workshop
Date: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Time: 20 October, 2019
Venue: Art Centre
Age: 13 and above
In collaboration with Harmony Music Center
Participants will learn about the many aspects associated with voice, sound and breathing, while getting familiar with choir warm-ups and multi-voiced pieces.
Groovy Music Workshop
Date: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Time: 21 October, 2019
Venue: Art Centre
Age: 6 – 10 years
In collaboration with Harmony Music Center
Participants will engage their body and mind through a mixture of singing, dancing, acting, while using percussion instruments such as xylophones, metallophones and glockenspiels. While learning at their own pace and level of understanding, children will also emphasize arts integrations with stories, poetry, movement and drama.
Expression in Music
Date: 24 October, 2019
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Venue: Bab Al Bahrain – Front Outdoor Space (Market Area)
Age: 6 – 10 years
Participants will learn the various ways of expression and innovation through music during Expression in Music workshop.
Reclaiming Our Ethnomusicologies
Conducted by Hasan Hujairi
Date: 25 - 26 October, 2019
Time: 4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Venue: Art Centre
Age: 17 years and above
A two-day workshop exploring the field of ethnomusicology and relating it to music history and practice in the Kingdom of Bahrain. By understanding the logic behind this field of study, participants will be introduced to ways of reconsidering music forms found in Bahrain.