EU approves special partnership with Cape Verde

The 27-member states of the European Union (EU) on Monday approved in principle a special partnership agreement with Cape Verde in Brussels, meant to strengthen relations between both parties, an official source affirmed in Praia.

The agreement approved by the Council for General Affairs and foreign relations of the EU, is based on findings of a paper from the European Committee on the future of relations with Cape Verde. It is expected to enable Cape Verde to secure a plan of action from the European Union, which should affirm the logic of proximity between Europe and Africa.

Read the rest here.

Cesária Évora at the 2007 JVC Jazz Festival - New York

Cape Verdian living legend Cesária Évora will perform at the 2007 JVC Jazz Festival - New York in June 2007. The festival takes place from the 17th to the 30th of June. Produced by George Wein & The Festival Network, LLC, the annual celebration of jazz and eclectic music features more than 200 events.

Tickets for the Cesaria Evora show vary from $35 to $85. Tickets can be purchased at the Carnegie Hall Box Office at 881 Seventh Avenue, at www.carnegiehall.org or by telephone at (212) 247-7800. Or you can visit the official JVC Jazz Festival - New York website for more information.

Here is the music video of the beautiful song Mar Azul, released in 1991 from the album with the same name.

Cape Verde in Cannes Cinema Festival 2007

Cape Verde will be on the spotlight in the Cannes Cinema Festival, one of the most prestigious international cinema competitions. The Festival that started on the 16 of may and ends on the 27th, celebrates this year its 60th anniversary.

The Cannes Cinema Festival will have a day dedicated to Cape Verde (the 24 of May). Also the new short movie by the Portuguese director Pedro Costa "Tarrafal", will debut in the Festival, not participating of the official competition. The movie "Tarrafal" is about the concentration camp that existed in the Santiago Island.

The Cape Verdean theme day have various events demonstrating the culture of the islands, from Cape Verdean gastronomy, to music - Tito Paris and São Vicente’s Carnival music, to name but a few.

Source: A Semana online (portuguese article)

Suzanna - Nha Sonho

Born in Cape Verde, Suzanna Lubrano moved at a very young age to the city of Rotterdam, Netherlands. Suzanna started singing professionally at eighteen, having recorded a very successful CD with the group Rabelados, and three solo albums: Sem Bó Nes Mund, Fofó and Tudo Pa Bo. Often known as the Queen of Cabo Zouk, her style can be described as a mixture of Zouk and R&B.

This month Suzanna's new single Gone was released, from her long awaited album Saida that will be released in May according to Suzanna's official website. You can listen to Gone in Suzanna's myspace.




While we wait for the new album here is one of Suzanna’s biggest hit songs: Nha Sonho from the album Tudo Pa Bo. With this track Suzanna Lubrano has won the Kora All African Music Award 2003 for Best African Female Artist.

Cape Verde featured on Travel Channel

Known for providing entertaining, practical and inspirational information, the Travel Channel presents an objective perspective on Europe’s hottest new destination: the Cape Verde islands.

You can see the videos here:

Sights and Sounds of Cape Verde – part 1

Sights and Sounds of Cape Verde – part 2

Cape Verde, number one destination for 2007

Cape Verde is this year's number one destination according to Expedia, beating other popular destinations such as Paris, New York and even Morocco, Vietnam, Bulgaria and Cape Town.

Expedia, one of the largest internet-based holiday companies, has declared that Cape Verde will be the number one holiday destination in 2007. Cape Verde proved to be Expedia's customers' top choice thanks to its beautiful landscape, superb white sandy beaches, year-round sunshine and Creole style culture.

Expedia’s Marketing Director comments:

“This year’s list reveals that more and more people are exploring niche destinations and becoming more adventurous with their holiday choices. Our customers prefer to head off the beaten track rather than continue to go back to traditional tourist hot spots. We hope this list will give travellers holiday inspiration to let themselves go and experience new places and cultures in 2007.”

Expedia's Top 10 Destinations for 2007:

1. Cape Verde
   
2. Bulgaria
   
3. Brazil
   
4. Vietnam
   
5. Croatia
   
6. Cape Town
   
7. Devon
   
8. Beijing
   
9. Las Vegas
   
10. Morocco

Lura - Na Ri Na

Lura is as young as the country of her roots, Cape Verde. But she is already considered by some to be the future of Cape Verdean music. Mixing her Cape Verdean heritage and Portuguese influences to a perfect balance, the sultry singer is at her best in front of an audience.

In this music video, Lura sings "Na Ri Na" one of the biggest hits from her 2005 album called "Di Korpu Ku Alma". Lura's latest album is called "M'Bem di Fora".

In Lura, Cape Verde has a beautiful face - and a steely, seductive voice - to represent its traditions.
RollingStone.com CD Review

Lura brings a fresh outsider perspective to the traditional music of her
ancestral isles, looking beyond familiar morna and coladeira popularised worldwide over the last two decades.

BBC Radio Awards for World Music