Events Archive

Live Events

The Big Chill Festival - UK

August 6th - 9th at Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Malvern Hills, Herefordshire

Jan Blake - Storyteller

Jan Blake is one of Britain’s most outstanding female storytellers, performing in theatres and festivals the length and breadth of Europe. She was born in Manchester to Jamaican parents. Inspired by recordings of ‘Miss Lou’ (Louise Bennett) she came to telling stories in 1986. She rapidly gained an international reputation for witty and exhilarating performances. She has a powerful singing voice, and can seize any stage. Specialising in folk tales from West Africa, North Africa, the Arab world and the Caribbean, her repertoire is full of tales of powerful women, and her versions of Ananse’s exploits are definitive. She is closely involved with projects that will develop a new generation of British storytellers of African and Caribbean descent.

Quantic and his Combo Bårbaro

QSO is no more. Long live QCB! Formed from the ashes of the Quantic Soul Orchestra, Quantic continues his musical explorations of the South Americas with the formation of his ‘band of Barbarians’.

On the crest of a burgeoning worldwide wave of interest in the lesser-tapped sources of music from the Caribbean, Latin America and Africa, Quantic and his Combo Bárbaro are leading the charge. The stunning album, ‘Tradition In Transition’ (out on Tru Thoughts in July), and upcoming live tour of selected spots in Europe and America throughout August and September, will see this international cast of acclaimed musical creators fusing those rediscovered psychedelic, experimental and rhythmically rich sounds of the past with deep funk and soul elements, giving life to an explosive sonic snapshot of the eclectic and ever-evolving musical landscape of the Americas.

Charlie Dark

With flamboyant gestures and vocal gymnastics, writer, producer and DJ Charlie Dark has made a dynamic impact on the UK poetry and performance scene. As one third of the band Attica Blues, the critically acclaimed hip hop inspired trio, Charlie had already established a reputation for pushing the boundaries of imagery and musicality by the time he entered the international poetry scene.

The Dennis Bovell Dub Band

Dennis Bovell has earned himself the reputation of being Britain’s reggae maestro, from pioneering early developments in the genre over 20 years ago to producing classic hits. He is renowned as an accomplished multi-instrumentalist (playing guitar, bass and keyboards), sound engineer, composer, band leader and producer and continues to lead the UK scene with innovative and adventurous music.

The Ex, Getatchew Mekurya and guests

Gétatchèw Mèkurya is an Ethiopian jazz saxophonist.

Mèkurya began his musical studies on traditional Ethiopian instruments such as the krar and the messengo, and later moved on to the saxophone and the clarinet. Upon reaching adolescence, he began his career in 1949 as a part of the Municipality Band in Addis Ababa. In 1965 he joined the famous Police Orchestra. He was also one of the first musicians to play an instrumental version of the Ethiopian war chant “Shellela.” With the album Negus of Ethiopian Sax (since re-released as part of the Ethiopiques CD series), Mekurya became known as internationally as one of the most important proponents of Ethio-jazz.

Modeste Hugues

I grew up in Betroka, a town in the central southern part of Madagascar. My full name is Modeste Hugues Randramahitasoa but I stick to Hugues because it’s shorter.

The music I play is unique to the Betroka region of Madagascar where it’s influenced by all the traditional sounds of the area together with some softer South African dance rhythms.

Amadou and Mariam

Amadou and Mariam are a musical duo from Mali, composed of the couple Mariam Doumbia (vocals) (born in Mali’s capital Bamako 15 April 1958) and Amadou Bagayoko (guitar and vocals) (born in Bamako 24 October 1954). The pair, known as “the blind couple from Mali” met at Mali’s Institute for the Young Blind, and found they shared an interest in music.

The duo produces music that mixes traditional Mali sound with rock guitars, Syrian violins, Cuban trumpets, Egyptian ney, Colombian trombones, Indian tablas and Dogon percussion. All these elements put together have been referred to as “Afro-blues”.

Mulatu and the Heliocentrics

Musically trained in London and schooled in the club scene of mid-’60s New York, Mulatu Astatke stands as the exceptional musical innovator of the Ethiopian groove and is known as the “Father of Ethio-Jazz.” . Starting in 1969, he created the first bands independent of the military, which had previously dominated the country’s music scene. Having immersed himself in Caribbean music, funk, jazz and Latin grooves during his lengthy stint abroad, Mulatu returned to his native land to give rise to a brand new sound.

Moody Boyz

Tony Thorpe is one of British musics true mavericks. His groundbreaking approach has laid the way for numerous artists to follow and succeed while he has all too often been ignored. Now with his dub armoury fully at the controls his time has surely come. Indeed The Moody Boyz’ ‘Dubland’ single, forthcoming on Fabric Records, brings Thorpe’s journey full circle with its brilliant dubsonics, echodrop madness, smoke fuelled ghosts and the half remembered thoughts. Another groundbreaking moment from Tony Thorpe - the original dubstep pioneer.

Malika Booker

Malika Booker is a writer, spoken word and multidisciplinary artist, whose work spans literature, education and cross-arts. She has appeared world-wide both independently and with the British Council. She was one of the touring poets with Bittersweet in 1999/2000 and since has featured in the spoken word project, Modern Love, and in Kin at the Barbican in 2004 - a show incorporating words, music and visuals. She was commissioned to co-produce a poetry film to commemorate the Royal Festival Hall’s 50th Birthday Celebrations in Spring 2001. Her first musical play, Catwalk,commissioned by NITRO, ran at the Tricycle Theatre in June 2001 and had a successful UK tour.

For more information visit: http://www.bigchill.net

Drumcamp - Suffolk UK

We offer over 30 workshop slots each day giving you an amazing variety of classes to attend in music, singing and dance. Workshops start from 9am each morning and run through till late afternoons.

Four evenings of professionally presented concerts by many of the artists teaching at Drum Camp, ensures that you enrich your learning experience by seeing the artists in a performance setting.

Our confirmed line-up for 2009 includes:

The Dhol Blasters (Bhangra dance and percussion), Adosese Wallace & The Soothsayers (Nigerian Afro-beats), Wa-Dohm (France-Hang Drum and Udu), Mariana Pinho (Brazil Samba Dance), Carmen Jones & Chas Whitaker (Egyptian percussion and dance), Idrissa Camara (West African dance), Hans Sutton & Nansady Keita (African Djembe), Capoeira Art Brasil (Capoeira dance) Anna Mudeka (Songs from Zimbabwe), Jose Ferrera (Cuban Bata/Cuban Salsa dance), Ben Lawrence (Ghanaian Xylophone), JP Courtney Brazilian Samba Drumming, Mamadou Cissohko (Senegalese Kora/singing), Hassan Lotfi & Drumzkool (Kids percussion) movement)

For more information on location and tickets visit: www.karamba.co.uk

Womad Festival 2009

The Hawth - Crawley International Mela

A great weekend of global entertainment featuring R&B, Bollywood, Bhangra, Malaysian and African Dance and music, magic and much more.

Join us for a great weekend of multi-cultural entertainment for all the family.

Date: Sat 25 & Sun 26 July

Venue: Foyer, Grounds

Admission: Free

Afri-Kokoa Festival

44th edition of the National Festival of Popular Arts - Morocco

Info: www.marakechfestival.com

Unique opportunity to experience Guinean culture in Wales UK

Presenting: Souleymane Comp, Mamadou Oury Diallo and Idrissa Camara from Guinea Conakry.

Come and learn some Guinean rhythms on Djembe / dundun and then the corresponding Dances.

The three of them are on their way to WOMAD where they'll be amazing audiences with their live performance, but the weekend before they'll be in Cardiff and are hosting a djembe/ drum / dance workshop followed by a performance with bolong, gongoma and balafon.

Come and join them!

Date: Sunday 19th July

Time: 12pm Please

Venue: RIVERSIDE WAREHOUSE, 56 MACHEN PLACE, RIVERSIDE, CARDIFF CF11 6ER, Cardiff, United Kingdom

E-mail: tantanafrica@gmail.comFor further info and to book your place

Kaleidoscope Festival

Kaleidoscope Festival is organised by the Welwyn Hatfield Ethnic Minority Group with the support of members of the local community. The festival is a multicultural event highlighting and celebrating the cultural diversity found in Welwyn Hatfield.The 2009 event will feature food from around the world, music, dance, arts, crafts, fashion, health and beauty, information & community services and (of course) lots of fun for children.There will be live acoustic performance from Guinean Trio Souleymane, Ouri and Idrissa.

Date: Saturday, 18th July

Time: 12 noon - 6.00pm

Venue: Stanborough Park Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6DQ

Please visit www.kalfest.org.uk for further details.

UK Festival International Nuits d'Afrique (African Nights)

Africa Consortium – “South Africa 2009” – networking event

The Africa Consortium is holding a “South Africa 2009” networking event at Dance City in Newcastle on the 24^th March 2009.

We have invited the participants of the ‘Visiting Arts’ South Africa trip to share their experiences.

Film and Digital Media

Workshops and Seminars

The Africa Consortium in association with the Independent Theatre Council is pleased to present

Touring into Africa

Wednesday 23 April 2008
4pm to 7pm (including drinks reception)
British Council, 10 Spring Gardens, London, SW1A 2BN

Have you ever thought about taking your work to Africa?

The Touring into Africa Seminar is an opportunity to get some practical advice and share your experiences. The seminar includes presentations from theatre professionals who have toured in various African countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, and South Africa. Touring Into Africa will be introduced by Venu Dhupa, Director of Arts at the British Council

This seminar will explore three central questions
Why tour into Africa? - Discover the opportunities
Who are the key players? - Get some useful contacts and build your networks
What would you need to think about?
Leave with practical tips to overcome the challenges

This seminar costs just £10 (+ VAT) or £5 (+ VAT) for Next Level Members
Free to members of the African Consortium

Places are limited so you are advised to register your interest by April 4th with:
Kemi Bamidele at the Independent Theatre Council
E: k.bamidele@itc-arts.org
T: 020 7089 6830

To secure your place send a cheque to:
Kemi Bamidele, Africa Consortium c/o Independent Theatre Council
12 The Leathermarket, Weston Street, London SE1 3ER

Cheques should be made payable to AFRICA CONSORTIUM UK

Independent Theatre Council (ITC) Course on international touring

Passport to International Touring

to download a booking form for this and other seminars that deal with touring and tour booking go to: http://www.itc-arts.org/trainingcourses.aspx