23 August 2011 - The Gambia Experience - Press Office
Nyodema’s fifth annual festival - organised by Kathryn Burrington from The Gambia Experience and her friends - was 'a great day of diverse and inspiring music' according to festival goer Kevin Short.
An array of artists entertained the crowd at Nyodema's World Music and Arts Festival held last Saturday [20 August 2011] at The Waverley on Bognor¹s seafront.
The day started on the verandah with rock n roll from Slim Jim and the Wildcards against a back drop of blue skies and the glistening sea. A variety of musical genres followed including Slim Lightfoot¹s delta blues, a guest appearance by two Gambian drummers, the beautiful voice of Daisy Mouatt, medieval/Spanish guitar from Claude Bourbon, the West African rhythms of the Nyodema Drummers, and songs from around the world including traditional gospel and a spine-tingling Baka chant from the Nyodema World Community Choir. Morgana Villen Castro performed a stunning fusion of flamenco and belly-dancing, as well as holding a popular workshop. The children¹s percussion workshop led by Chris Diallo from Hands on Skin brought out some fabulous young talent.
"Nyodema's choir and drumming group is going from strength to strength. The weekly workshops held here in Bognor have proved a great success and both groups thoroughly enjoyed performing to such a receptive audience. New members are always welcome and no experience is necessary." said Geraldine Allchurch, the choir's director.
The evening's entertainment in the function room had everyone up and dancing. "What a great vibe - the whole day - then capped with Rattlin' Bone's feel from 'The Big Easy' ending perfectly with reggae from Planetman and the Internationalz!" said Stewart Nicol, compere for the day.
The raffle, stalls, workshops and donations collected throughout the day raised over £1,000. These funds will be used to provide children with insecticide treated mosquito nets and to continue developing the school in Dairuharu that Nyodema has built (with the assistance of the charity Karmic Angels) in The Gambia, one of Africa's poorest countries.
"Nyodema would like to thank The Waverley and their staff, the ROX charity for the loan of equipment, all the artists, volunteers and sponsors, including The Gambia Experience, and everyone who contributed to making this a really wonderful day" said Nyodema treasurer, Shelagh Hamilton.
For more information, please visit www.nyodema.org or call Kathryn on 07974 472 137.
