Africa Oyé festival set for 2010

by Andy Checkley. Published Fri 18 Jun 2010 14:04, Last updated: 2010-06-18

Africa Oyé, the largest free African music festival in the UK, returns once again to Sefton Park this weekend for its 18th birthday.

Nominated at least year's UK Festival Awards for Best Medium Sized Festival, The Grass Roots Festival Award and Family Festival Award, Oyé began in 1992 as a series of small gigs in Liverpool's city centre.

Virtual Festivals described the event as, "Everything you could need for a unique African experience...a true slice of Africa."

2009's event brought over 20,000 people and more are expected this year. Africa Oyé hopes to broadcast a similar message to this year's World Cup, broadcasting Africa as a great continent of varied cultures, food, music and art.

The festival has been highlighted as a truly international event, harnessing the spirit of multiculturalism and tolerance. It has hosted artists from nations across Africa, as well as musicians from South America and the Caribbean.

Over 40 stalls are planned, selling food, drink, fashion and arts and crafts from across the continent. Children's entertainment, face paint and bouncy castles will also feature. Last year's festival launched two national tours, as well as Learning and Participation Project The Legacy Roots and Music in Liverpool.

With 2010 the year of Health and Well Being in Merseyside, Africa Oyé hopes to procure funding to introduce the Health, Learning and Participation Zone. This will hopefully feature African and Caribbean dance workshops, percussion and guitar workshops, vocal coaching, Capoeira demonstrations, a mobile climbing wall and a holistic therapies and massage.

Info stalls about health and well being will also make an appearance, as well as a 500 capacity beer tent.