Two leading professional African artists in the UK, Griot Chinyere and Abass Dodoo are coming to Colchester and Ipswich to host a new project: Story Seekers.
Thanks to Arts Council England and Ipswich Borough Council funding, these inspiring artists will lead a six-week completely free arts activity where everyone is welcome - all ages, all abilities, all levels of English speaking - to come and tell their own stories and experience Nigerian and Ghanian heritage storytelling, percussion and drumming.
Griot Chinyere is from a long line of storytellers and shamans. She is continuing and exemplifying her family traditions and skills, she is a leading storyteller and the storytelling festival founder of Nne Agwu Afrakan: The First Afrakan Storytelling Festival in Britain. Abass Dodoo comes from The Family of Royal Master Ghanaian Drummers and he is a world-wide touring drummer who founded and is director of One Drum; the most famous West African drumming troupe in Britain.
Ipswich workshops will be on Monday mornings at The Smokehouse, 6 South Street from 10-12 noon starting on the 22nd of May until the 26th of June.
Colchester workshops will be held at Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, every Wednesday evening from 7pm-9pm starting on the 24th of May until the 28th of June. Those honouring the festival of Ramadan are welcome to break their fast with us.
Sociable and Interactive Storytelling and Percussion Workshops in Ipswich and Colchester:
Every Monday 10am -12 noon The Smokehouse, 6 South Street, Ipswich Please book in advance: text or call 07990 802776
Every Wednesday 7-9 pm Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester Please book in advance: text or call 07990 802776
Performances at Community and Creative Events During the Summer:
Broom Hill Library, Ipswich Bank Holiday Monday 29th May 1pm
Ipswich County Library Multicultural Day Sat 24th June 10.30am
New Wolsey Studio Theatre, Georges St, Ipswich (tickets £5 - 01473 295900) Sat 24th June 2pm
Big Sunday, Lewis Gardens, Colchester Sun 2nd July 12 noon
Global Rhythms Festival, Christchurch Mansion Sat 8th July 12.30 noon
Festival of Rice and Spice, Firstsite, Colchester Sun 9th July 12 noon
Info and Advance Bookings (essential for workshops): 07990 802776
With special thanks to our partners and encouragers, your every moment of support is recognised and highly appreciated; Colchester Arts Centre, Firstsite, African Families in the UK, East Anglian Indian Association, Refugee Action Colchester, Karibu, Ipswich and Suffolk Racial Equality Council, Ipswich Community Media, Peppery Productions, New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich YMCA, Suffolk Libraries, Signals Media Arts, Ipswich Borough Council, P.H.O.E.B.E.
And many thanks to the funders who have enabled us to create a top-quality arts activity with incredible artists, completely free for the benefit of local individuals and communities; Arts Council England, Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk County Council, Colchester Borough Council.
Please consider sharing this page and helping us spread the word!