Today I am heading to City University London's Music Department for another one of their Ethnomusicology Research seminar series. Ethnomusicology explores the social and cultural aspects of music and dance, at a local and internationally level. Today's lecture investigates the characteristics of various kinds of music which are central to Jewish practice and identity. Dr. Nooshin, senior lecturer in Ethnomusicology explores how Jewish communities all over the world have come to absorb (over the period of 2000 years) the influences of their different social and cultural environments, and through intercultural exchange this has shaped their domestic and religious music. The lecture runs from 2-4pm in room AG09 (College Building, with the entrance on St. John's street). Entrance is free and all are welcome.FRIDAY 24th April- Should Anthropologists work for the Army?
At 11:ooam today I am going to listen to a radio programme entitled Anthropology at War on BBC Radio 4. Mark Whitaker reporting from Washington DC, looks at the recent policy of the United States Army policy to employ Anthropologists and other social scientists to work with soldiers and combat brigades in Iraq and Afghanistan. With the anthropologists' depths of experience and local knowledge the hope is that they will act as cultural mediators, teaching the troops how to act in more culturally appropriate ways, and thereby reducing 'the need to use lethal force'. A lot of controversy has been generated in Anthropological circles as to whether or not this is an appropriate use of their research and expertise. The American Anthropological Association condemns the initiative as being unethical. The situation is made worse by the fact that during the 18 months the policy has been in operation, 3 young social scientists have died. Have a listen, and tell us your views. Should anthropologists be working in this capacity?
SATURDAY 25th April- London Anthropology Day 2009
For all of you who might have missed last year's event, this year's London Anthropology Day is going to be held on July 9th 2009 at the British Museum's Clore Centre. This free event is aimed at those new to anthropology who are interested in studying the subject at university. It is an open university taster day for teachers, career advisers, and year 12 &13 and FE students. This year we will have 16 universities from all over the UK come and give interactive workshops on everything from forensic science and primate evolution, to sacred music, dress and performance. Bookings are now open. In order to avoid disappointment, it is advisable to book in advance as there are a limited amount of spaces available. To book your free place visit: www.londonanthropologyday.co.uk SUNDAY 26th April- RAI's 11th International Ethnographic Film Festival
Sponsored by the Royal Anthropological Institute, this biannual festival of international ethnographic film, moves around the UK to different host universities and associated cultural organisations and communities. This year the festival will take place at Leeds Metropolitan University from the 1st-4th July. This year's festival is jointly hosted by the RAI, the Centre fro Tourism & Cultural Change and the Northern School Film, Television, and Performing Arts at Leeds Met University.The festival includes 60 hours of film screenings, and workshops/talks on ethics of filmmaking, participatory youth filmmaking, and salvaging and archiving ethnographic film. The festival will also be followed by an international conference called Emotion in Motion. To find out more about the festival programme, tickets and booking visit this website.MONDAY 27th April- Generation Net: Arts and Culture in the 21st Century
On the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th of May University of Nottingham will have a series of free interdisciplinary lecture series exploring the production and use of different forms of media and the ways in which they generate cross cultural communication, identities and cohesion between communities. Details of the speakers' presentations, their biographies and work can be found here. The talks will be held in room A18 (the Arts Graduate Centre) of the Trent Building at 6pm and will be followed by wine and snacks. Admission is free, but spaces are limited. To book your free space, email Ian Smith at: iainrobertsmith@gmail.com. TUESDAY 28th April- London's intricate web of linked lives
Surrounded by the masses of humanity that take London transport everyday it is rare that we would stop to think how each of our lives are connected through random occurrences, thoughts, actions places and time. How have these pockets of London's livelihoods come to existence and what connects them to their past and present communities? Running from April till June at Birkbeck Cinema, is a series of films called Working London which from part of the London Screen Study Collection. The films raise awareness of local lives and tensions in London during the 20th century as well as London screen history. All screenings take start at 2:30pm. Today's viewing is entitled Pool of London (Basil Dearden, 1951) and looks at interracial romance 'against the background of London's docks and sailors caught up in smuggling'. WEDNESDAY 29th April- ORIGINS Festival of First Nations
UK's first festival of First Nations creative arts, bringing together artists and work of indigenous communities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA will take place from 5- 7th May. The festival includes films, theatre and comedy as well as an extensive education programme with workshops and visits to schools. The opening of the festival will be marked by a spectacular Maori welcome ceremony. Other highlights include the UK debut of four internationally acclaimed plays. The festival is produced by Border Crossings in association with Brontisky Associates. For more information about festival events, ticket prices and bookings visit this website.
