Date: 2008-05-12
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Les Amazones de Guinée, the all women group and Guinean Army members, have their first European performance in over ten years, when they take to the stage at this year's Africa Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square on Bank Holiday Monday 26 May. They will be performing on a line up that also includes Zaire musician Kanda Bongo Man and Mali ngoni player Bassekou Kouyate.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Les Amazones de Guinée, the all women group and Guinean Army members, have their first European performance in over ten years, when they take to the stage at this year's Africa Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square on Bank Holiday Monday 26 May. They will be performing on a line up that also includes Zaire musician Kanda Bongo Man and Mali ngoni player Bassekou Kouyate.
The free event, organised by the Mayor of London, celebrates the contribution of London's African communities to the capital. The programme features music and live performance from across the African continent, plus African food and drink and stalls selling African arts and crafts.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson says:
"The African continent is home to an enormous number of cultures, languages and traditions. The Africa Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square are an excellent opportunity to get a taste of Africa and its many cultures.
"I encourage all Londoners to play a part this year. Trafalgar Square celebrations are free to all - Londoners and tourists alike. Lets make this event one to remember."
There will be a wide range of music from across Africa. The formidable Les Amazones de Guinée are sure to get audiences dancing to their old-style Guinean big band music. The all women group enjoyed incredible success in the sixties and seventies and are now making a comeback after the launch of their successful album Wamato.
Bassekou Kouyate, winner of the BBC Radio 3 Awards Album of the Year for his sensational album Segu Blue, has been acclaimed as Mali's latest superstar. He is a talented player of the ngoni, an ancient lute found in West Africa and although it is based on the traditional, his music has a fresh and uplifting style.
Other performers include Kanda Bongo Man from Zaire with his lilting Soukous melodies; the Kaago Drummers with their traditional djembe playing from the Ivory Coast; Busi Ncube from Zimbabwe who sings in a unique style using six African languages and her mbira; and the Black Eagle Drummers. Rita Ray will be deejaying on the day, along with DJ Kirenga Eric Soul from Afrogroov. Emmanuel Jal and the Inemo Afrobeat Experience will also be performing.
The second African Day has been organised by the Mayor of London and is sponsored by the British Transport Police and Kato Enterprises. The official media partners are BBC London, African Voice newspaper and Voice of Africa radio.
EVENT DETAILS
Event: Africa Day
Venue: Trafalgar Square
Date: Monday 26 May 2008
Time: 1pm to 8pm
Entry: FREE
Information: www.london.gov.uk / 020 7983 4100
MEDIA ACCREDITATION
Media wishing to attend should email communitydesk@london.gov.uk by 5pm on Wednesday 21 May 2008.
Media seeking additional information can call 0207 983 4071/ 4599.
Notes to Editors
African communities are one of the fastest growing minority ethnic communities in London. In the capital, black Africans make up five per cent of all Londoners.
Originally founded in 1958 as African Freedom Day and then changed to African Liberation Day by the Organisation of African Unity in 1963, Africa Day falls on 25 May each year and is observed by many countries and international organisations.