A festival for all: TeraVibes returns to the scene

Some three years ago, TeraVibes’ humble beginnings started as little more than a few friends jamming in a village garden. There was no grand plan, and certainly no expectation that anyone beyond their immediate circle would take interest. As the name suggests, the festival was birthed in Tera, an idyllic repose in the foothills of Polis, with but a few instruments and the hospitality of the village’s renowned local Zenonas, whose abode has played host to many the bohemian sort. On Saturday, August 29, the group returns to the scene with its biggest event yet, this time in Kato Arodes, where an old village school will play host to live music and DJs. The three musketeers are Alex Kalimeri, sound technician, George Avraam, sound engineer, and Danny El Said, lighting designer (pictured above). Between them they have spent years establishing themselves and working behind the scenes at concerts and events across the island. They have to say the least, seen it all, and eventually decided to take it upon themselves to form something of their own. “After years behind the scenes, we wanted to create something new and add our vision to the ever-growing music scene,” Avraam said. Avraam and El Said were there when TeraVibes began, with Kalimeri, a friend of the pair who shared the same ambitions, joining forces with them. One concert led to another, and the gatherings gradually migrated beyond Tera. The most recent iteration, in the village of Fasli, attracted over 300 people. For our trio, that was the litmus test at which the idea became harder to dismiss as simply a gang having a good time in the hills. “We’ve had a strong connection to the region since childhood, we care deeply for the place and hope to contribute to the charm it offers,” Avraam said. Kato Arodes is the latest stop, and the venue has quite the story of its own. The Old School Cafe occupies, as might be inferred, the former village school, a building that once served generations of Turkish Cypriot children from the community. Its owner, Mehmet Kamil, heralded from Kato Arodes himself and left when he was just 14. After some 52 years, he returned to Cyprus and eventually transformed his former school into a cafe. It seems an appropriate setting for the festival because the organisers have always been keen to integrate the event with its surroundings, making the village itself part of the experience. The programme oscillates from original music by local artists with indie rock, folk and traditional influences to electronic. Ya Na Ma blends traditional influences with electronic dance grooves, while Sunryse Sound delivers a distinctly alternative edge. DJ sets from Mighty Scoop and Marcos, whose set will draw on retro techno and electronic music, will keep the festival moving into the night with a mix of groove, nostalgia and club energy. That eclecticism is certainly deliberate for TerraVibes is intended to give local musicians a platform while offering audiences something unique from the more familiar festival circuit. The organisers are acutely conscious of the price of getting through the door. All three have watched the cost of attending concerts and festivals rise exponentially. Their answer to the present calamity has been solidarity pricing, with the aim of keeping the event accessible rather than, as is often the case with the many of the island’s gigs, the ticket price to become an entertainment in itself. There is however no shortage of ambition; All three believe have unquestioning faith in the potential their vision has. “Given the growing interest each year and the lineups already in discussion for future editions, we’re confident these events will establish us on the highest level,” he said. TeraVibes takes place on Saturday, August 29, at the Old School Cafe in Kato Arodes, Paphos. Gates open at 6pm. The festival line-up will also include handmade Italian pizza and slow-cooked Texas barbeque throughout the evening. The bar will offer a selection of local beers, gin and tonics, and brandy sours. Tickets stand at €12, available at the door.