WOMAD showcase events at Town Hall

WOMAD is the world’s most prestigious international arts festival, now in its 31st year spanning 25 countries.

The local sessions will give participants in the three areas the opportunity to participate in world music, arts and dance workshops facilitated by artists representing WOMAD, with guests from Senegal, Ghana and Jamaica arriving to our shores especially for the programme.

Participants from the entire workshop programmes will come together at Coleraine Town Hall on September 19 to present their artistic showcase to the public. Before that there will be an interactive African and Caribbean performance in The Diamond from 3.30– 5pm.

Ballycastle will also host an open public African music and dance workshop on 20 September from 2pm – 4pm at Moyle Council Buildings.

Guest artistes include Landing Máne, a performing artist for over 20 years embodying the spirit of Senegalese music and dance, Adie Elias Baako from Ghana’s top dance ensemble Akrowa, and Jamaican choreographer, dancer and dance tutor Ripton Lindsay.

In addition workshop programmes in Polish Dance, Ugandan Dance, Indian and Thai Arts will also take place with a special guest performance at the WOMAD Showcase at the Coleraine Town Hall event by Balkan alien Sound, a high octane, dance driven, folk fusion outfit that offer a mix of Irish, Klezmer, Gypsy and Balkan styles to create a distinctive and infectious music.

Complementing the WOMAD Showcase Event in Coleraine Town Hall, a small performance area will be provided outside the venue at The Diamond between 6pm and 9.30pm for local musicians, groups, poets, storytellers and dancers. Artists must contact the Beyond Skin office first to book a place.

Both events in Coleraine and Ballycastle are free and open to all. For more information email [email protected] or contact the Beyond Skin office on 07877756987