[Breaking News: this festival has been cancelled] Norfolk world music festival in the UK announced that it is coming back in 2021 will the goal of creating Umoja, the Swahili and Zulu word for togetherness and unity. However, the festival will apply safety measures and social distancing. The festival will take place July 30 through August 1, 2021. The location of the festival is Burton Manor Barns, Southburgh, Norfolk, IP25 7SU, UK.
On Friday, July 30th in the evening there will be a premier performance of Amrita Sandhu’s ‘Who Ami I’ featuring Anna Mudeka, plus an open mic. The main day for events will be on Saturday 31st July with a wide cross section of artists lined up.
The Main stage will be headlined by Anna Mudeka with her band taking to the stage for the first time in 5 years. They released their album Dendende in 2015 to great acclaim and national radio airplay as well as a performance at the Latitude festival. They will be playing a set of original songs inspired by Anna’s native country of Zimbabwe.
Also on the main stage will be Cuban musician Jose Ferrer with his band Jose y Cubana; Cambridge based Indie Rock and alternative band Tantris; Belfast band The Watchsnatchers who play a mix of original, contemporary and traditional songs with a twist; the world inspired, dance infused, upbeat rhythms of Nebula Sun; the percussive and African Mog and Me; and blues, soul and Americana inspired Dove and Boweevil band.
The Fringe stage will be headlined by the African Choir Of Norfolk. A new project arising out of The Hostry festival they feature African singers who are based in Norfolk singing songs from Kenya, Cameroon, Zimbabwe and beyond. The lineup is completed by Mike Campbell-Swai who recites nature, life and spirituality inspired poems over hypnotic music; the ukulele playing and singing winner of the Norfolk World music festival 2019 open mic competition Feed Albert; renowned Opera singer Emma Nuule; and singer songwriter Smithy.
DJ Michael will be spinning and there will be a wide range of workshops led by Kevin Mortimer, Mog, Jose Ferrera, Anna Mudeka, Hej, and Debbie Harris teaching drums and percussion , dance workshops, African singing, Foolhardy Folk Circus and Yoga.
Organizer Anna says that it will be “A weekend like no other with live music, workshops, food, drink, and laughter with something for all music lovers both young and mature. We will be guided by the Government’s Covid guidelines and will issue updates of any changes once they are made public.”
Tickets are available by going to the box office www.leapinghare.org. For more information about the festival go to www.norfolkworldmusicfestival.co.uk
(headline photo: Anna Mudeka – Photo by Richard Shashamane)
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
Norfolk world music festival has canceled this years festival as they felt that the risk factors and public uncertainty outweighed the plans that they had for the festival. The festival hopes to be able to return in 2022 with most of the same line up and more and the same spirit and message of unity and togetherness.