O yeah – it’s Africa Oyé!
Africa Oyé is the UK’s largest free celebration of African music and culture and takes place annually in Liverpool.
Beginning in 1992 as a series of small gigs in the city centre, the event has gone from strength-to-strength, moving to its present Sefton Park home in 2002 to cope with demand.
Now in its 17th year, Africa Oyé continues to grow. In 2008 the event attracted an audience of over 20,000 people and even more are expected to attend Oyé 09.
With too many negative representations of Africa entrenched in images of war, disease, poverty and famine, Oyé seeks to redress the balance and highlight the fantastic range of cultures, foods, music and artists that make this great continent one of the most vibrant and inspiring in the world.
The festival is also a truly international event that harnesses the spirit of multiculturalism and tolerance.
It has played host to artists from nations right across Africa and also programmes music from South America and The Caribbean with Salsa, Soca and Reggae always a popularaddition to the festivities.
But Africa Oyé is about more than music. Over 40 stalls selling the best food, drink, arts and crafts and fashion from Africa and beyond will again be present at the Oyé village along with long time supporter ‘News From Nowhere‘, one of the UK’s premier stockists of African music, with all the performing artists and much more on sale, it’s a great opportunity to not only take in some of the best roots music around, but take some home with you too.
There will also be face painting, bouncy castles and workshops in the village to keep the kids happy, and for the first time ever will also have a beer tent in the festival grounds to keep the adults entertained too.
AFRICA OYÃÂ takes place Saturday and Sunday June 20-21 2009 at Sefton Park (Review Field), Liverpool 12.30pm-9.30pm both days.
Already confirmed: Freddie McGregor (Jamaica) PLUS Special Guests: Chino, Laden, The Millennium Band Les FrÃÅ¡res Guissé (Senegal) Gordon Masiala and Nka Musica (DR Congo), Kanda Bongo Man (DR Congo).
Children’s entertainment:
Workshops, Beatlife Percussion Troup, Bouncy Castles, Mobile Climbing Wall, Face Painting, plus a Rodeo for the adults.
Oye Village where you can sample:
Food from all over the world, music, arts & crafts, clothes, drums, massages, tea & coffee, smoothies, beer tent and much more.
More info:
www.africaoye.com
www.myspace.com/africaoye
