Kora Festival

Europe's First African Kora Festival

A genuine taste of traditional west African culture in the vibrant setting of Brighton.

The festival is the concept of Les Sherwood, one of only a handful of specialist Kora makers in the UK and founder of Brighton’s global music instrument shop Adaptatrap. It is being managed by Brighton based event producers Harmony in the Community.

The line up of artists/Griots include African Kora players Kadialy Kouyate, Jali Burama Mbye, Seckou Keita, Diabel Cissoko, Sura Susso, Modou Cissoko and Jali Kabba Susso as well as African percussion based Hi-Life dance band Yira Baa,   Other African and Kora acts will be announced in due course. According to Sherwood “the time is now right for a festival to celebrate this beautiful music and tradition and we are fortunate enough to have these great musicians here in the UK. Interest in the Kora as an instrument in its own right is really increasing in the UK thanks to musicians like these and others such as Toumani Diabate and Bellake Sousokko.”

As well as virtuoso performances throughout the day, the players will also hold workshops in Kora playing, storytelling, drumming, singing and dance. In the evening there will be a full concert with performances by each of the Kora players and their bands. Nottingham based musician Seckou Keita, considers this a real opportunity to introduce Kora music to a new audience.  He comments “all the Kora players have been closely involved in the development of this festival and the result will be a genuine taste of traditional African culture in the vibrant setting of Brighton in the summertime.”

All day tickets £30 in advance / £35 on the door
Evening concert £17.50 in advance / £20 on the door
Available online from www.wegottickets.com
Or in person at Adaptatrap, Trafalgar Street, Brighton

Produced by Harmony in the Community