AFRICA DAY:Music and dance, drama and writing, food and fashion - get a flavour for the African continent at tomorrow's Africa Day events Writing Africa, a weekend of discussion, readings and workshops to celebrate African literature, takes place in the Irish Writers' Centre, writes Michael Kelly
Tomorrow, May 25th, is Africa Day and the event is marked by nationwide celebrations of African music, dance, literature, film, history, art, social and political life. Here's our guide to the best events.
The flagship event, Africa Day @ Dublin Castle, takes place in the castle gardens from 1pm-7pm tomorrow. The organisers are encouraging attendees to bring a picnic and enjoy an afternoon of free music, sport, film and culture. On the main stage, look out for Sinéad O'Connor, Republic of Loose and the Discovery Gospel Choir, as they re-enact their Meteor award collaboration of Curtis Mayfield's anti-racism tune We People Who Are Darker Than Blue. There will also be performances from Mundy, Motema, Congomania and Kíla.
The Culture Corner will feature spoken-word performances, literary readings and short dramas, with contributions from Róisín Ingle of The Irish Timesand Bisi Adigun, who is artistic director of Arambe Productions and collaborates with Roddy Doyle. There will also be an exhibition of African art and crafts, singing, dancing and instrumental workshops.
The sporting element of the day will be hosted by Sports Against Racism Ireland and Brian Kerr, and includes extreme trampoline, netball, five-a-side football and mini-tournaments for all ages. For kids, there is a story-telling area, face-painting and activities focusing on different aspects of African culture, including workshops on bracelet making. There will also be a screening of the full-length animation feature, Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress.
Outside of the Dublin Castle event, there is an Afro Gig at the Ambassador tonight, which features Soukous exponent Kanda Bongo Man (tickets from the Africa Centre on 01-8656951).
The Irish Film Institute in Temple Bar hosts an Africa Day Film Festival which features Mahamat-Saleh Haroun's Daratt( Dry Season), Cannes winner Waiting for Happiness, Marley family documentary Africa Unite, and John Barker's South African comedy Bunny Chow. www.irishfilm.ie. Writing Africa, a weekend of discussion, readings and workshops to celebrate African literature, takes place in the Irish Writers' Centre, Parnell Square, Dublin 1. www.writerscentre.ie.
GALWAY
In Galway, Spirit of Africa Voice is a two-day festival which includes music, film, fashion and workshops. At NUI Galway's bar this afternoon, from 1pm-8pm, there are African dance classes for all ages, a fashion show, drumming and singing workshops and African film and documentaries. Tomorrow, the action moves to Eyre Square (1pm-6pm) and features Merriam Dike, Jeanette Mokoena, the FCF African Choir, storyteller Matthew Noone, and jazz music from Nkululeko. www.spiritofvoice.com. The Galway African Film Festival, organised by the Galway One World Centre, takes place on June 1st-2nd in the Town Hall Theatre. www.myspace.com/galwayafricanfilmfestival.
CORK
FeileAfrica has been bringing world music to Cork since 2002 and hosts a festival this weekend in the city to mark Africa Day. At Crane Lane today there is free African food and cultural displays, plus two free gigs this afternoon from 3pm-7pm featuring Motema (The Congo) and Oleku (Nigeria). Afronova play tonight from 11pm. The same venue hosts an introduction to the rhythms and dance movements of west Africa tomorrow afternoon, with workshops led by dancer and singer Aida, from Ivory Coast. There's also a barbecue and pig roast with DJs and live music at Franciscan Well on the North Mall all day tomorrow.
LIMERICK
At City Hall in Limerick today from 11am, Embracing Diversity - One People, One Heritage is a cultural exhibition including art and paintings, literature, crafts, music, a banquet of African food, and a football tournament. At noon tomorrow in the Millennium Theatre in Limerick Institute of Technology, Rhythmix is a youth participation workshop with African drumming experts and a free concert. www.uch.ie.
WATERFORD
Waterford's Africa Day celebrations take place in Kas-Bar from 4pm today with African food, dance performance, film, a photo exhibition, drumming and a DJ.
KILKENNY
The city marks Africa Day with a free event at MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre tomorrow from 2pm-5pm. It includes food, a djembe drumming workshop, a dance workshop, mask-making and school project displays.
STATEWIDE
Lively Up Yourself is an African drumming event with a workshop and free public performance in Ballina Arts Centre tomorrow from 11am. www.ballinaartscentre.com. There are Africa Day celebrations today in the Garage Theatre in Monaghan (3pm), the Community Building in Leixlip (11.30am), the Coolcotts Community Centre in Wexford (noon-5pm). Dundalk celebrates Africa Day tomorrow (11am-6pm) with an event in Dundalk Football Club.
Download the full Africa Day programme from www.irishaid.gov.ie/africaday2008