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

The UK's largest celebration of African music and culture Sefton Park, Liverpool Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June 2011 12:30pm-9:30pm on both days Admission: FREE

Today brings two big announcements from the Africa Oyé Festival. First, as you're likely aware, we were forced to charge a small entry fee to this year's festival due to rising costs and new regulations in order to keep the festival afloat. We're now very excited to announce that the festival will again be free and unfenced this year.

We have always maintained that we would love to keep Africa Oyé a free event, and now, against all odds we have managed to again make this a reality. "We are delighted that we have been able to pull this off, and we offer huge thanks to all our supporters and our sponsors." - Paul Duhaney, Africa Oyé Festival Director

While we're sure you'll share our enthusiasm about this fantastic news, we still need help and support to enable us to get through the next year.

Five ways to help keep Oyé free:

1. Donate online through IndieGoGo (http://www.indiegogo.com/africaoye)

2. Buy an official t-shirt from the festival shop

3. Buy a drink at the Oyé Inn

4. Donate whatever you can to our collection buckets on site

5. If you've already bought a ticket, donate the cost to the festival

If everyone does just one of these things, it will be a great step towards keeping Oyé free for years to come. We are a registered charity and as such, all proceeds will be reinvested into the organisation.

Africa Oyé would like to thank Liverpool City Council, the European Regional Development Fund, Arts Council England, and our sponsors for their support.

Tickets purchased online will be automatically refunded. Those who have bought tickets in person should contact info@africaoye.com if they would like a refund.

Our second big announcement is that we can now confirm reggae legend Marcia Griffiths is on board to headline the festival this year.

Known as 'The Queen of Reggae', Griffiths' illustrious career has spanned six decades both as a solo artist and in collaboration with other top reggae performers. As the duo Bob and Marcia, Griffiths and Bob Andy hit #5 in the UK charts with their 1970 hit 'Young Gifted and Black'. From there she moved on to sing with the I-Threes supporting Bob Marley and the Wailers.

Her classic hit 'Electric Boogie' spawned international dance craze The Electric Slide and reached #51 on the Billboard Hot 100. Not only was this her most successful single, it still reigns as the highest selling single by a female reggae singer.

We're absolutely thrilled to be bringing this reggae matriarch to Liverpool this June. Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to hear a performer of such high calibre.

See you in Sefton Park 18th-19th June!

http:/ / www.africaoye.com http://www.marciagriffiths.net

LISTEN TO AFRICA Funded by Arts Council of England & Liverpool City Council

Be sure to pick up your tickets from the following locations in Liverpool now:

News From Nowhere 96 Bold Street, Liverpool, L1 4HY

Dr Hermans 84a Bold Street, Liverpool, L1 4HR

Raggas Caribbean Takeaway 58 Smithdown Road, Liverpool, L7 4JG

Raggas Caribbean Cafe & Takeaway 27 Lark Lane, Liverpool, L17 8US

The Aviary Cafe Sefton Park, Liverpool, L17

Liverpool Tourst Information Centres:

Liverpool 08 Place 36-38 Whicechapel, Liverpool, L2 6DZ Open: Mon to Sat - 10am till 5pm, Bank Hols 10am till 4pm, Closed Sundays

Albert Dock Visitor Centre Anchor Courtyard, Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4BS Open: April to September - 10am till 5.30pm, October to March - 10am till 5pm

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (Information Desk) Speke Hall Road, Speke, Liverpool, L24 1YD Open: 5.30am till 8.30pm all year round