| Spirit of Africa | - Africa Weekend runs on Sat 22 and Sun 23 at the Bridgewater Hall and Matt And Phred's. Tickets for the evening events are of varying prices, contact the venue for more info
- The workshops are free but booking is necessary to ensure a place
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On Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October, Africa Weekend takes over the hall, in celebration of Black History Month and to commemorate the fifth and most important Pan African Congress, which took place in Manchester.  | | Tunde Jegede (pic: Andrew Putler) |
The weekend includes a world premiere by the BBC Philharmonic (7.30pm, Sat) written by inspiring composer and cellist Tunde Jegede. Conducted by Jason Lai, the performance will feature celebrated Malian vocalist Kasse Mady Diabate and a chamber choir. The music doesn’t stop after the concert, as the talented performers will then de-camp to the foyer of the Hall to join Tunde and friends for a jazz session (which continues the following night at Matt & Phred’s on Tib Street).  | | The Master Drummers of Africa |
On Sunday, The Master Drummers of Africa bring their joyous, foot-stamping rhythmic sound and over fifty exotic and ancient instruments to the city for the first time. Ten drummers from ten African nations combine 3000 years of tribal rhythms to create a wonderful freewheeling musical set. They will also be holding workshops on the day (4.30pm) before their concert (7.30pm). The festivities start at the Hall at midday on Saturday with a performance of Afrika Yethu (Our Africa), a new work created by students from all over the North West, inspired by The Calling. Workshops follow, covering everything from African music, dance, mask-making, art classes and have-a-go lessons in steel drum playing. The same programme of workshops is repeated on Sunday. |
