We’re so excited to be back at Africa Oyé, Liverpool on 20 & 21 June!
The new Oyé Family Zone will host the Movema Dance Tent and new Kukina Creative Tent featuring relaxing and inspiring African Diaspora inspired activities, including storytelling, singing, drumming, arts, crafts, dance and holistic practices. They will be complemented with family friendly performances, creative activities, and educational and environmental workshops – creating a diverse and vibrant area for all ages to enjoy.
Programme
AO 26 programme – Family Zone, Saturday 20th June
Movema Dance tent
12.30pm – 1.10pm Movema Family Dance
Fun workshop for all ages, dance along on a trip around the world with rhythms from the African Diaspora!
1.30pm – 2pm Afro Fusion – Sankofa Bird dance with Dori
Learn a lively routine with the option to join the Taking Flight show happening each day!
2.20pm – 3pm Afro & Urban Dance with Nessa Ndong
Build rhythm, confidence and creativity in a fun, welcoming space suitable for all ages and abilities.
3.30pm – 4.10pm Capoeira For All
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian artform combining music, dance, martial arts and culture. Join us for a fun and engaging workshop!
4.20pm – 4.40pm Main stage act Kizaba – Ngoné Gueyé
Interactive dance workshop, Congolese electronic act from the main stage programme.
5pm- 5.40pm Tap dance with Sole Rebel
Family-friendly percussive dance workshop rooted in rhythm tap and live jazz music, and demo from Sole Rebel’s professional company.
Kukina Creative Tent
12.10pm -1.45pm Sankofa bird inspired crafts with Movema
Make your own feather wings or bird masks. Option to use this costume and perform in Taking Flight show!
12.45pm – 1.25pm Vocal Freedom with Gaia Tree
Gentle singing exercises and song circle to promote mindfulness and body connection.
2pm – 3.30pm Weaving Workshop with Zena Clarkson
Make your own sustainable placemat or small rug to take home. Limited spaces, book your spot at the tent.
3pm – 3.40pm Singing for Wellbeing with Holistic Harmonies
Come and join our circle and sing songs from all over the world. Experience luscious harmonies, joy and connection!
3.45pm- 5pm Beeswax Lip Balm Making with B4biodiversity
Everyone leaves with their own handmade balm made from nourishing African ingredients, aromatic essential oils and beeswax from Liverpool beehives.. Book your place at the tent.
4.45pm – 5pm Bee Waggle Dance with B4biodiversity
Move to African music and recreate the honeybee waggle dance for children and young people. With Liverpool 8 beekeeping-artist, Andrea Ku, bringing local honeybee stories to life.
4pm – 4.45pm Bata Dance with Ajidan’s Studio
Traditional dance from Yoruba Culture in South Western Nigeria and Drums-Clapperton, a fun participatory arts technique featuring clapping with the drummers.
5pm – 5.40pm Singing Workshop with Bruce Ncube
Traditional songs from Zimbabwe and Southern Africa in 3 to 6-part harmonies with an award-winning artist and song sharer.
The Nest
2pm- 2.20pm Taking Flight: The Homecoming
Spectacular outdoor performance work about migration, finding and building a home together, by Movema dance company.
4.40pm – 5pm Taking Flight: The Homecoming
As above.
*Spot the characters from ‘Taking Flight’ flying around the festival site! Look out for Sankofa, Feng Huang (Phoenix), Peacock and Liver Bird! Happening throughout the day.
AO 26 programme – Family Zone, Sunday 21st June
Movema Dance tent
12.30pm – 1.10pm Yoga practice with Ray
Connect with nature and yourself with a calming yet energizing session. Bring your own mat or blanket.
1.40pm – 2.20pm Afro Caribbean Dance with Dancing Queens
Powerful movement, feel-good vibes, an uplifting Caribbean Carnival dance workshop open to all.
3pm – 3.30pm Afro Fusion – Sankofa Bird dance with Dori
Learn a lively routine with the option to join the Taking Flight show happening each day!
3.50pm – 4.30pm Rhythm, Rhyme & Roots with Blue Saint
Interactive family workshop using rhythm, call-and-response, spoken word and rap to help participants create a short collective piece.
5pm- 5.40pm Kizomba Dance with Afro Dance Academy
Fun, beginner-friendly workshop open to all ages. Explore the basics of Kizomba, connection, rhythm, and movement in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Kukina Creative Tent
12.10pm -1.45pm Sankofa bird inspired crafts with Movema
Make your own feather wings or bird masks. Option to use this costume and perform in Taking Flight show!
12.25pm – 1.15pm Storytelling and Poetry with Tayo Aluko
Multicultural children’s stories followed by a chance for people of all ages to contribute to create a collaborative poem.
2pm – 3.30pm Mancala & Dominoes Game
Come learn how to play Dominoes and the popular Mancala game played across Africa!
2.20pm – 3pm Drumming performance & Workshop with Beatlife
Afro-Brazilian and Cuban grooves with modern urban beats, a smiling celebration of this unique, intergenerational group.
3.50pm – 5.20pm Abstract African Mask Making with Leonisha Barley
Inspired by the bold patterns, shapes and artistic traditions of African design, this hands-on activity invites children and adults to create their very own unique mask together.
4.30pm – 5.10pm Singing Workshop with Bruce Ncube
Traditional songs from Zimbabwe and Southern Africa in 3 to 6-part harmonies with an award-winning artist and song sharer.
The Nest
1.15pm- 1.35pm Taking Flight: The Homecoming
Spectacular outdoor performance work about migration, finding and building a home together, by Movema dance company.
3.30pm – 3.50pm Taking Flight: The Homecoming
As above.
*Spot the characters from ‘Taking Flight’ flying around the festival site! Look out for Sankofa, Feng Huang (Phoenix), Peacock and Liver Bird! Happening throughout the day.
Parade
2.50pm – 3.30pm Katumba & Dancing Queens Parade
Experience the vibrant energy, joy and freedom of carnival in this special collaborative parade around the festival. Get ready for Caribbean carnival meets Brazilian carnival!
4.10pm – 4.45pm Katumba & Dancing Queens Parade
As above
More about Africa Oyé
Africa Oyé, the UK’s largest celebration of African music and culture, takes place annually in Liverpool. Beginning in 1992 as a series of small gigs, and moving to its present Sefton Park home in 2002 to cope with demand.
With too many negative representations of Africa entrenched in images of war, disease, poverty and famine, Oyé seeks to redress the balance and highlight the fantastic range of cultures, foods, music and artists that make this great continent one of the most vibrant and inspiring in the world.
Fifteen years after her first UK festival performance at Africa Oyé, Grammy-nominated guitarist and singer Fatoumata Diawara is set to make a triumphant return to Sefton Park this summer as the Sunday Headliner.