A world music feast

There’s a world of music to be heard at the National Botanic Garden of Wales on Sunday July 8.

Taking centre stage at the Carmarthenshire attraction is Ffestiva! – a showcase celebrating the diverse cultures that exist in West Wales – including Welsh ones! It will also feature the beats of Brazil, the sounds of Scandinavia, rhythms of Africa, dancers from Thailand and much more.

  Main Stage ( Band stand)

Millenium square

 Great Glasshouse Walkabout and Gatehouse/ courtyard
12.00   Samba Tawe Procession

 

 Samba Tawe Procession

 

 Samba Tawe Procession
12.15 ( also Thai dancers in costume until 3.30)
12.30   Damian Clarke ( hammer dulcimer/singing Scandinavian etc)

 

 

 Iron Eye Sax duo at Gatehouse

 
12.45 change over
1.00 Samba Tawe Performance in Millenium square

 

 

  
1.15 Change over Megaffon choir in Courtyard
1.30 change over Amas drum circle ( open to visitors to join in)

 

  
1.45  Thai dancers (with Fiddlebox)

 

 Emmanuel drum performance at gatehouse

 
2.00
2.15  change over  
2.30  Occasional Brass Ensemble

 

   Damian Clarke roaming minstrel

 
2.45  
3.00 Emmanuel drum circle ( open to visitors to join in)

 
3.15  Change over Megaffon Choir in Courtyard
3.30  Klezmic Rays

 

  
3.45 Amas at gatehouse

 
4.00 Change over Change over
4.15 Thai dancers

 

 Akuhum

 
4.30
4.45  change over  
5.15 Klezmic Rays

 

 Wandering musicians

 
5.30
5.45    
       

It is the brainchild of popular performer-musician Helen Adam, who has joined forces with the Garden to create a fascinatingly rich array of musical styles and cultures. Helen (pictured below) says: “I’m passionate about working with communities and it is just so much fun to blend different musical styles. Ffestiva! is a unique showcase to celebrate and bring together the diverse cultures and traditions that exist in West Wales.

Helen Adams

“There are so many talented musicians, dancers, singers and bands in our part of the world and they deserve to be more widely enjoyed,” she said. “Ffestiva! gives the public the chance to see them in the beautiful environment of the National  Botanic Garden.”

There will also be an opportunity for visitors to take part in some of the drumming sessions – and drums are provided.

Head of Events at the Garden, David Hardy said: “Helen has brought together a formidable line-up of players and performers, and we are all set for a fantastic day of wonderful world music.”

Bands taking part in Ffestiva! include: Samba Tawe, Occasional Brass Ensemble, Klezmic Rays, Megaffon Choir, Damian Clarke, Iron Eye and Akuhum. There will also be wandering minstrels, strolling players, Thai dancers, drum workshops and lots more besides. Come along, look, listen and join in with the fun.

For more info, email info@gardenofwales.org.uk or call 01558 667149.

 

10 Responses to “A world music feast”

  1. Steve Brown says:
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    It says that Helen is pictured right – she isn’t – and that there is more information on the website – but I came to this page for more information, so where is it? This is on at the same time as the free jazz festival in Llandeilo – so if you’re going to attract me to pay the admission charge to the garden, you’ll need to produce better publicity.

  2. Steve Brown says:
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    By the way Helen is a great performer and I’m sure it will be worth a visit. But you need to improve your publicity.

  3. gonbgw says:
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    Helen’s picture now added – Colin

  4. Sam says:
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    I also came here for more info (no direct link from publicity email – I had to find this page). What about some sort of timetable? When does it start? I’m coming with small kids so that kind of thing matters… We came to something else recently to find it had packed up at 3.30pm.

    And sad to hear there is a clash with a Llandeilo fest – we noted that the folk weekend at the garden clashed with the Gower Folk Fest recently. I know there are lots of festivals but these ones are right in your catchment areas…

    I’m a member and love the gardens but please get better publicity!

  5. carrie thomas says:
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    would LOVE to know more, so I echo the other commentators. Timings and pics of the performers would be welcomed to decide if and when to visit. Sounds great (oh, just realised the pun, I’ll let it stand!).

  6. Peter Clarke says:
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    Your correspondent Steve Brown is correct. There is less information here than contained in the e-mail directing the reader to visit this site for “more information”. This is simply not good enough and does not reflect well on the Garden.

  7. gonbgw says:
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    Apologies – The full programme is now shown on the web site.

  8. gonbgw says:
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    Apologies – the timetable how now been posted on the web site.

  9. Jane Langford says:
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    We came to Festiva more or less by chance & really enjoyed what we heard. I’ve come to the website to find out who the musicians were, but can’t find them!

  10. Jane Langford says:
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    ok! strangely the list has now appeared on this very page and I feel foolish! Don’t know why it wasn’t showing before.

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