hello
does anyone know the start and finish dates for the music festival at Essakane (Timbuktu) for 2005
thanks in advance

next january ,from 7 to 9 .

HI Budrinna

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Budrinna Co.

hi,

We are going to be in that area at about that time, what kind of music is it and do you need tickets and if so where do you get them . . .

You can keep an eye on the progress of the Festival au Desert at the web site http://www.festival-au-desert.org As of yet there is nothing there except the date. As time ticks along I would expect that there will be details of the artists. Although who actually appears there is not confirmed until very close to the time of the festival.
For the 2004 festival the music varied from traditional (the group Tartit was there), through to contemporary (Amadou and Mariam, and Tinariwen) and the famous - Ali Farka Toure was there, and the occasional foreigner - Black Fire from the USA were there. There was also some dancing -particularly special were a group of Wodaabe from Niger. It was a great festival, and a fantastic site at Essakane.

For the 2004 edition the ticket price was EURO100 for foreigners, which could be bought at the festival site. There is no need to buy them earlier than this. A plastic bracelet was issued to recognise those who had paid, and those who had not paid. Well worth it - the music usually started in the mid-late afternoon, and didn't stop until well into the early hours. Food was available, and tent accomodation could be arranged at the site. Have a great time.....

[This message has been edited by Alistair (edited 18 August 2004).]

[This message has been edited by Alistair (edited 19 August 2004).]

[This message has been edited by Alistair (edited 19 August 2004).]

I'm heading to the festival too, by KTM from London, see you there !

Simon