Festivals / diaspora
DIASPORA! announces festival lineup
Conceived by Ruth Pitter MBE and brought to life by a team led by Vandna Mehta and Deasy Bamford of the Diverse Artists Network, the programme for the inaugural DIASPORA! festival has now been announced.
This brand new event for Bristol and the south west celebrates ‘cultural diversity through the arts’ through 70 events in nearly 40 local venues across the early May bank holiday weekend.
DIASPORA! will give a platform for over 200 artists from predominantly underrepresented diasporas, working across the performing and creative arts, from music, dance, film and theatre to storytelling, poetry, talks and exhibitions.
is needed now More than ever
In Mehta’s words, “DIASPORA! is a natural progression of all the work we have done at DAN to create more and lasting connections between artists, venues and communities of culture.
“With our diligent and dedicated festival team, we really hope to make a difference for the region, to build something special, representative and fun for all.”
The eclectic programme will include a day-long celebration at Trinity, Alkebulan – African Storytelling Village, a Sound Bath and Meditation Journey with Rounik at Armada House, New Black Narrative at the RWA, Do The Right Scene at the Bristol Improv Theatre, Old Europe and New Afraka converge at Cooper’s Hall, Bristol Old Vic, and Bharatanatyam Dance Workshop at the Museum of Bath at Work.
Musical highlights include Lady Nade at St George’s (part of the Bristol Folk Festival), and at Bristol Beacon the legendary nine-piece Orchestra Baobab, from Senegal, who celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2024, as well as the Sufi, choral and Indian classical music of Orchestral Qawwali Project, who will appear at the festival shortly before performing at the Royal Albert Hall.
Exhibitions at the festival include The Island Diaspora Show, New Black Narrative at the RWA, The True Story of Carnival at Tobacco Factory Cafe Bar, and Stokes Crayon at SPARKS.
The huge variety of participating venues includes ACTA Bristol Community Theatre, Bristol Cathedral, Bristol Old Vic, Bristol Ferries, Design West, Knowle West Media Centre, Lost Horizon, Palestine Museum & Cultural Centre, Pervasive Media Studios, SPARKS, The Island, The Plough Inn, Tobacco Factory Theatres and Watershed.
The festival has also provided a DIASPORA! food map featuring popular spots including Glen’s Kitchen in St Paul’s, Nadine’s Carribean Café in Easton, and the Real Habesha Restaurant on Stapleton Road.
Funding support comes from The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, Arts Council England, Quartet Community Foundation and Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID).
DIASPORA! will take place across multiple Bristol venues on May 3-6 2024.
Visit www.diverseartistsnetwork.com for the full digital programme and sign up to the DAN newsletter or follow @diverseartistsnetwork for updates.
A listings version of the programme will be printed in the current issue of Vocalise – the quarterly Bristol magazine specialising in grassroots arts, culture, community support and wellbeing.
All photos: Diverse Artists Network
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