Africa Oyé is the UK's largest, free celebration of African music and culture and takes place annually in Liverpool.

LISTEN TO AFRICA

A celebration of African music and culture Sefton Park, Liverpool Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th June 2010 12:30pm-9:30pm on both days Admission: Free

Reggae legend Michael Rose from Black Uhuru with his live band (Jamaica). International superstar Habib Koite (Mali), the unbelievable sounds of The Gangbe Brass Band from Benin, Youssou N'Dour's protégé Carlou D from Senegal, the Salsa/Merengue/reggaeton hybrid band touring the UK for the first time TO'MEZCLAO (Cuba) and a sensational new band from Haiti, Ti Coca plus more to be announced.

*Please check www.africaoye.com for programme updates Africa Oyé returns to Sefton Park, Liverpool in 2010, bigger and better than ever. Year on year, the UK's largest free African music festival just keeps on growing...

"Everything you could need for a unique African experience...a true slice of Africa." Virtual Festivals

Africa Oyé - nominated for 'Best Medium Sized Festival', 'The Grass Roots Festival Award', 'Family Festival Award' and 'Best Toilets' at the UK Festival Awards 2009

Africa Oyé is the UK's largest free celebration of African music and culture and takes place annually in Liverpool. Beginning in 1992 as a series of small gigs in the city centre, the event has gone from strength-to-strength, moving to its present Sefton Park home in 2002 to cope with demand. Now in its nineteenth year, Africa Oyé continues to grow. In 2009 the event attracted an audience of over 20,000 people and even more are expected to attend Oyé 2010.

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. The festival is also a truly international event that harnesses the spirit of multiculturalism and tolerance. It has played host to artists from nations right across Africa and also programmes music from South America and The Caribbean with Salsa, Soca and Reggae always a popular addition to the festivities.

But Africa Oyé is about more than music. Over 40 stalls selling the best food, drink, arts and crafts and fashion from Africa and beyond will again be present at the Oyé village along with long time supporter 'News From Nowhere', one of the UK's premier stockists of African music, with all the performing artists and much more on sale, it’s a great opportunity to not only take in some of the best roots music around, but take some home with you too.

Touring and Trading

Africa Oyé launched an additional strand of work in April 09 funded by the Arts Council called Oyé Touring and Trading. Along with 5 other national organisations (Serious, Punch Records, Joyful Noise, and CMAT) and as part of the Black Routes network Oyé produced two 2 National tours, and a Learning and Participation Project called The Legacy Roots and Music in Liverpool and will do the same in 2010/11. The first two tours were with Jamaican Reggae legend Freddie McGregor in June and Odemba OK Jazz All Stars from DR Congo in September.

Health and Participation

2010 is the Year of Health and Well Being in the Liverpool region, and with this in mind (subject to funding enhancement) Oyé hopes to introduce The Health, Learning, and Participation Zone this years at Africa Oyé festival, featuring :

1. African and Caribbean Dance Workshops by Movema 2. Drumming and Percussion Workshops with local community group Beatlife and Glastonbury's Chai Chapel 3. Guitar Workshops 4. Vocal coaching 5. Capoeira Brazilian Martial Arts performances and demonstrations 6. A mobile climbing wall 7. Holistic therapies 8. African massages 9. Info stalls about health and well being

These additions for the 2010 festival see Africa Oyé continue to grow, and will take place in a designated area on the festival site with its own PA system, marquee(s), performance area, platforms and risers for public viewing and participation.

The Oyé Village

Featuring food and arts and crafts from around the world, children's entertainment featuring bouncy castles, and face painting; there is something for all the family - and returning this year - The Oyé Inn is a welcome addition to the festival.

The Oyé Inn

Once again, this year Oyé will feature a state of the art 500 capacity beer tent selling ice cold draught lager, selected spirits and soft drinks all at affordable prices and served in a safe environment. To help to keep Africa Oyé a free celebration of music, culture and community, please buy a pint from the Inn. Please remember - Africa Oyé is a family friendly festival, please drink responsibly.

Africa Oyé is funded by the Arts Council of England and Liverpool City Council.

Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th June 2010 Sefton Park (Review Field), Liverpool 12.30pm - 9.30pm both days