It's all going WOMAD at the East Belfast Arts Festival

East Belfast goes WOMAD!
The Newtownards Road will be dancing to the beat of a different drum on Friday 30th August, when African artists the Sow & Sows will top the bill at the climax of a day of WOMAD music workshops, exhibitions and performances, all part of a showcase at the East Belfast Arts Festival in the Skainos Complex.

One half of the Sow & Sows duo, Oumar Sow has worked with the finest in the land including Cheikh Lo & Youssou N`Dour, performing internationally on some of the world’s biggest stages including Live 8, Eden Project, Royal Festival Hall, the National Theatre and WOMAD Abu Dhabi, also appearing on BBC2’s Later with Jools Holland. Oumar has also worked on the production of many critically acclaimed albums including Orchestra Baobab’s award winning album, ‘Specialist in All Styles’.

To create the exciting new sound of the Sow & Sows, Oumar has teamed up with one of the finest voices ever to come out of Senegal, Laye Sow, more than a singer, musician and songwriter; he is also a true performer who entrances, captivates and excites audiences wherever he plays.

Supporting the Sow & Sows at the concert will be Reggae & Ska group Boss Sound Manifesto, Gypsy Jazz duo Manouche and musicians from the Belfast team.

The showcase promises to bring a unique range of world cultures to the city, offering all comers the chance to take part in a variety of free WOMAD workshops led by artists from the Beyond Skin, who will be helping WOMAD work towards a full outreach programme over the next few years. 

This event has been funded by Belfast City Council's Creative Legacies Programme supported under the Belfast PEACE III Plan by the European Union's European Regional Development Fund through the PEACE III Programme & East Belfast District Policing and Community Safety Partnership.

‘It’s been wonderful to see how people from here have been inspired by musicians and dancers from across the globe’ says Darren Ferguson, Beyond Skin manager.  ‘WOMAD is the most prestigious intercultural music festival in the world, and we’re excited to be able to bring a flavour of it to East Belfast’. 

The East Belfast Arts Festival runs in venues across Belfast from August 28 to September 1, featuring national and international artists across the arts genres, and will provide a diverse range of events and opportunities for participation.

Mimi Turtle, chair of the East Belfast Arts Festival, said: 'We have a fantastic line up for the festival this year and we really hope that people from east Belfast and across the city will feel inspired and encouraged to take part. We’re delighted to welcome a whole host of artistic talent, which will help energise east Belfast.'

The arts & crafts, music & dance workshops and exhibitions will run from 11am - 4pm at the Skainos Centre on 30th August including The People’s Parlour where visitors are given the opportunity to speak informally with “people on loan” representing various groups or professions.  Free admission no booking necessary and all welcome.
The evening concert will run from 7pm - 10pm
£8 with free refreshments & light world cuisine.  Booking required and tickets available at
https://strandartscentre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873501376/events

For more information on WOMAD’s programme in Northern Ireland check this site: www.womadbelfast.org

Book tickets here: https://strandartscentre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873501376/events

East Belfast Arts Festival information: www.eastbelfastartsfestival.com