Limerick will enjoy some of the sights, sounds and flavours of its African communities next week to celebrate Africa Day including a FREE family carnival in the grounds of City Hall on Saturday, 24th May.
From 17th-24th May, a series of events celebrating African culture will take place in Limerick. The highlight on Saturday, 24th May from 12 noon to 6pm will see Irish supergroup Kila join a music line-up that includes the African Gospel Choir, the Lace Soukous Band and Limerick’s own Random Acts Of Kindness. In addition the celebration will include the spectacular installations of Bui Bolg theatre group and clowns, jugglers, puppeteers and entertainers wandering through the crowd.
SATURDAY’S LINE UP FEATURES:
12-2pm – Limerick Band Explosion
Seven teenage bands from Music Generation’s Band Explosion project kick off the afternoon, followed by a short performance by the Limerick City Children’s Choir
2pm – Random Acts of Kindness
The Shannon based collective, lead by charismatic Zimbabwean rapper God Knows are joined by the MGLC backline – a collective of some of the region’s finest musicians.
2.45pm – The African Gospel Choir
The ladies of this ensemble bring an infectious energy to African Gospel, Negro spirituals, Accapella and American popular music.
3.45 – Kila
Playing together for nearly 20 years, Kíla are one of Ireland's most innovative and exciting bands. With its roots in traditional Irish, their distinctive style of world music has won over audiences around the world through recordings and their spectacular live performances.
5pm – The Lace
The Lace are the ultimate Congolese party band. With fast, interweaving rhythmic guitars and sublime solos they take the audience on a journey, for a true Congolese Soukous dance workout.
There also will be family activities around the main stage with members of the local African community also exhibiting their work.
Coinciding with Limerick City of Culture 2014, organisers have increased the number of events taking place for next week to celebrate Africa Day.
The programme includes the fifth annual Limerick Sportsfest/Sports Day at Crescent College in Dooradoyle tomorrow, May 17th, African Storytelling for primary school groups and African Drumming at Limerick City Library on Wednesday, May 21st, A Sounds of Africa Concert at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday, May 22nd will involve a unique fusion of African and Irish talent, with choirs, dancers and musicians featuring God Knows, Ras Mikey C, Odyke Nzewi, the United Choir, Denise Chaila, Eve, Kathleen Turner, Moley O Súilleabháin and the Killaloe/Ballina Gospel Choir.
A creative writing competition for Secondary Schools and an art competition for primary schools is also taking place.
According to Deirdre Minogue, Limerick City and County Council: "The events and activities taking place this year will attempt to promote a positive image of Africa, highlight the Irish Aid programme in Africa, and will also have an education component. We look forward to people from all different backgrounds joining us during the celebrations for Africa Day which take on added significance this year as we celebrate Limerick being Ireland's National City of Culture."
The week’s celebrations also include a symposium focusing on the theme “Partners for Growth” which takes place at the Hunt Museum on Friday, May 23rd and includes such speakers as Minister for Housing & Planning Jan O'Sullivan TD and former Minister of State for Overseas Development and Current UNICEF Executive Director Peter Power.
For more on Africa Day Limerick visit www.limerick.ie/africaday or www.africaday.ie.
