Audio Visuals multi projections at Edinburgh Multicultural Festival 2019

The October festival programme features a bright array of Edinburgh’s diverse talent with spoken word, poetry, music, dance and visual arts created by African, Asian and Eastern European artists living in the capital.

Omar Afif & Gnawa Trance Fusion: Audio visuals multi projections 
Photo credit: Tomek Kruk
Omar Afif & Gnawa Trance Fusion: Audio visuals multi projections
Photo credit: Tomek Kruk

There will be two international acts: albino Malawian singer and canjo player Lazarus, and Sowhereto Africa, a South African dance and music show promoting street talent from the township of Soweto (previously performed at Edinburgh’s Dance Base and the Studio).

A poetry and storytelling programme (on Friday afternoon) will be curated by Nadine Aisha Jassat, with storytellers Fong Liu and Daiva Ivanauskaitė, while the weekend will feature musicians including Samba Sene & Diwan (Sengalese Mbalax/Afrobeat/ska fusion), rappers Billy Got Waves & Joell, Moroccan grooves from Omar Afif & Gnawa Trance Fusion and Bollywood//Indian classical music from Swaryatra; the dance programme on Saturday includes Scotland’s leading Indian dance group Dance Ihayami, a range of African dances from Sankofa Beats, plus Olga Kay, Iraya Noble, Pirita Tuisku, and many more. 

Omar Afif & Gnawa Trance Fusion: Audio visuals multi projections 
Photo credit: Tomek Kruk
Omar Afif & Gnawa Trance Fusion: Audio visuals multi projections
Photo credit: Tomek Kruk

There will also be a specially curated short films programme and a specially created video projection installation by Polish audio visual artist Robert Motyka, inspired by diverse cultures and identities.

The events will take place across 2 venues in north Edinburgh – creative writing, poetry and storytelling at Drumbrae Library and Community Hub (4 October only), with the main programme taking place at Edinburgh College, Granton Campus (5 & 6 October), in the open café space (unticketed) and the PASS Theatre. There will be opportunities for audiences to mix with performers and community organisations, to share their experiences and find out more about how to be involved in cross-community activities.

Phyllis Stephen

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Audio Visuals projections: Robert Motyka

Camera / Live streaming: Sandy McGhie