All the world's a stage, but Cork is a stage for the world next weekend, when it hosts the Bulmers World Music Festival. Come along for some Senegalese swing, Asian drums and Yiddish yomping, says Kevin Courtney - oh, and bring your granny

Next year, Cork is the European City of Culture, but next weekend, it's the city of world culture, when the citizens welcome musical delegates from places as diverse as Senegal, Eastern Europe, India and South America. But don't expect the mayor to be laying on a civic reception for these distinguished guests from afar, and don't be looking for a big parade through the streets of Cork. Do, however, expect to see capacity crowds flocking to the Opera House over the August Bank Holiday weekend to see such diverse acts as Orchestra Baobab, Asian Dub Foundation, Señor Coconut and his Orchestra, Mozaik and Dhol Foundation. And you can bet they'll get a raucous reception when they take the stage.

The Bulmers World Music Festival begins on Thursday 29th and, for the next four days, the stalls and balconies of the Opera House will shake to a dizzying variety of beat. Better wear comfortable shoes - you're going to have the feet worn off you by Sunday night.

OK, it's not as big as the Cork Jazz Festival, being confined to just one venue, and featuring a modest-sized line-up of acts, but at least you'll get to see every artist without having to jump taxis all over town, or plan your timetable with military precision. All you have to do is show up at the Opera House (with your ticket, of course) and be ready to party.

Meanwhile, there's quite enough to be going on with this weekend, starting with Asian Dub Foundation, the hard-hitting London-Asian collective who mix hard-edged ragga beats, sitar-quick guitars and a searing political sensibility to create incendiary live shows. They've put their musical weight behind the cause of civil rights and fair trade. They also soundtracked the ultra-tough French film, La Haine, and were nominated for a Mercury Music Prize for their album Rafi's Revenge. Expect the music and the beats to be hard and fast.

Earlier on Thursday, a bunch of friends from different countries will put together a mosaic of sounds drawn from their very varied influences. Mozaik, formed in Australia, feature Donal Lunny and Andy Irvine from legendary trad group Planxty, along with Bruce Molsky from the US, Nikola Parov from Hungary and Rens Van Der Zalm from the Netherlands. Expect a vibrant collage of entertaining music in this unique multi-cultural seisún.

On Friday night, how about a little Kraftwerk and Deep Purple, transposed to a Chilean merengue beat? Señor Coconut and his Orchestra specialise in oddball cover versions, done in a traditional South American style, but still sounding pretty rock 'n' roll to me. Señor Coconut is actually German keyboard player Uwe Schmidt who, bored with playing around Europe, moved to Chile and had an eclectic epiphany, realising he could play the music of his countrymen in the style of his adopted home. When you hear his versions of Kraftwerk's The Robots, you'll understand. And if any metalheads accidentally find themselves in the Opera House, they'll be bemused by Señor Coconut's rendition of Deep Purple's Smoke On The Water. Or they might bang their heads even harder.

The Dhol is a traditional North Indian drum made from a large wooden shell with two goathide skins on either side, and was played by villagers celebrating the harvest. The Dhol Foundation is dedicated to keeping this tradition alive. Led by Dr Dhol himself, Johnny Kalsi, the Foundation is where people go for advice on technique, but on Saturday night the Dhol Foundation will come to Cork and deliver a masterclass to which everyone is invited. Don't worry, you won't have to take notes.

The festival closes on Sunday with music from Senegal, courtesy of Dakar's local heroes, Orchestra Baobab. Coming from one of the most vibrant musical countries of West Africa, Orchestra Baobab have already become world-renowned for their explosive mix of traditional and modern styles. The Orchestra don't confine themselves to African styles: their musical branches reach out to Western pop and rock, and even Cuban music. Better get there early - this is one gig that's going to be stuffed like a pepper.

Finally, if you meet the partner of your dreams over the weekend, and you're looking for something different for your wedding band, then you might think of hiring The Fireflies. This three-piece band are the only group in Ireland who play Klezmermusik, a lively form of traditional Jewish wedding music which will even get your granny up dancing. They also do Romany Gypsy, American Bluegrass and Irish trad, so there's something for everybody in the wedding party. They'll be playing on an outdoor stage in Emmet Square on Saturday afternoon, so bring your granny down for a bop.

• Tickets for the Bulmers World Music Festival are available from the Cork Opera House Box Office. Tel: 021 4270022