Isle of Man: Our Island Our World Festival is Back at the Centenary Centre in Peel

Hot on the heels of last year's successful debut of one of the Island's newest festivals, Our Island Our World returns to Peel on the 30th and 31st August with a host of new bands at the Centenary Centre.

Organised by local musician, Dave McLean, and back by public demand, the festival promises a weekend of exhilarating music. And there's a great opportunity to discover more about the culture of those from across the world who have made the Isle of Man their home, at a special, free international celebration in the cathedral, surrounding grounds and the Corrin Hall. Here you can experience global food, live music and dance, plenty of children's activities, workshops (free with concert ticket) exploring the world of Serbian and belly dancing, as well as tribal drumming and singing and the debut performance of a Manx/Bulgarian musical collaboration.

Two concerts will include the Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band from the eponymous northern Indian state, playing a wide range of Indian music, the Baghdaddies with their cocktail of Balkan melodies, ska and Latin groove and the highly original sound of Agbeko (with three Manx musicians), inspired by the 1970s dance music of the Nigerian, Ghanaian and Ethiopian dance floor. They'll be joined by Jally Kebba Susso, combining jazz, rock, blues and Afro-funk with the West African kora, the Faith I Branko quartet mixing the talent of a Roma violinist from Serbia and an English accordionist with ragtime, jazz, swing and classical styles and the Island's own band Lava with a special Latin set. And there'll be plenty of room for dancing during the evening concerts.

With thanks to Culture Vannin, Thornton Chartered Financial Planners and the Isle of Man Arts Council for their support.

Further details from www.facebook.com/ourislandourworld

Valerie Caine
© August 2019

(Courtesy of Manx Life)