22May 2025
St John’s Church’s – The Evangelist, Brittany Road, St Leonards-on-sea, TN38 0RD
An orchestra of professional musicians from around the world who have chosen to make Britain their home. They come from Syria, Iran, Hongkong, Palestine, Brazil, Africa, France and India, and some of them are refugees who had to leave their country. The orchestra plays music from their own cultures as well as new music that they have created and play together.
Orchestra from Everywhere – ShivaNova
Tickets – £ 20 for 2 people (Early Bird offer), £12 (single ticket on the door) £8 – concessions. Children under 12 are free. Student tickets – £5 ( 13- 24 years). Book early as seating is limited.
St George’s Church Ramsgate
An orchestra of professional musicians from around the world who have chosen to make Britain their home. They come from Syria, Iran, Hongkong, Palestine, Brazil, Africa, France and India, and some of them are refugees who had to leave their country. The orchestra plays music from their own cultures as well as new music that they have created and play together.
Orchestra from Everywhere – ShivaNova
Tickets – £ 20 for 2 people (Early Bird offer), £12 (single ticket on the door) £8 – concessions. Children under 12 are free. Student tickets – £5 ( 13- 24 years). Book early as seating is limited.
“A Gypsy consommé with a satanic pulse” – Garth Cartwright, Froots Magazine
TATCHO DROM stage a vibrant show packed full of beautiful melodies and dancing rhythms from Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Their repertoire includes most of the well-known Balkan favourites, however, their real musical heart beats for the hidden musical gems – songs and pieces which band leader Gundula Stojanova Gruen discovers on her numerous field trips to previous Ottoman regions, learning and jamming with Balkan music masters.
Tatcho Drom means ‘True Journey’, in Rromanes, the language of Romany Gypsies. They are considered one of the UK’s leading exponents of Romany Gypsy music. Inspired by the charisma of Esma Redžepova, the virtuosity of Taraf de Haïdouks and the humour of Emir Kusturica. Tatcho’s sound is guaranteed to lure listeners into a world of pain and joy, delivering an exciting and memorable performance.
Gundula Stojanova Gruen is a virtuoso violinist and singer who has travelled extensively, transcribing melodies that she learned first-hand from Gypsies and folk musicians. Described by Songlines Magazine as ‘a shining star in the UK’s Balkan music scene’, her unique performance style showcases a technical ability acquired through intensive conservatoire training as well as a colourful and charismatic personality. Her arrangements and compositions, whilst drawing influence from her love and extensive knowledge of Romany Gypsy music, are original and highly personal.
Past performances include the main stages of Rhythm of the World and Crawley Festivals, the South Bank Centre, Kings Place, Equator’s Women of the World Festival, the Union Chapel as well as intimate, unplugged performances at the Canterbury Festival and other unusual venues.
There will also be some specially prepared world cuisine by our chefs newly arrived who have their own home catering set-up in Kent. Food will be available during the event and will need to be booked in advance.
Bring your own picnic chairs and mats. Toilets will be available to use.
Performances may be recorded for live streaming at a later date.
You are welcome to arrive early for a walk in some of the beautiful AONB countryside around us.
You will need to register and reserve your place before the event. There is limited capacity so please book early to avoid disappointment. Donations are most welcome and can be made after you have registered when we will send you a link.
Suggested donations – £ 7, £6 – food. Thank you.
“Samba drumming sessions starting in Dover from Tuesday April 29th” 6.30pm, Biggin Hall, Biggin Street.
Join us to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 in Folkestone with music, dance and artists from around the world including the Women of the World Orchestra and featuring musicians from Iran, Syria, Palestine, Hongkong, Africa, Ukraine, India. Also featured will be Shepway Voices led by dynamic choir leader Tania Holland Williams, Ukrainian Spivochy Choir, Indian dance and Nepalese music and dance by the Folkestone Nepalese community and featuring poets, speakers and artists. There will be world food and drinks available to buy.
This is a free event but booking is advisable as spaces are limited.
Suggested donations of £5 -£10 most welcome.
Come and celebrate Holi – the Festival of Colour, which heralds the beginning of Spring.
Featuring Asian bollywood music and dance + dance workshops + food stalls of traditional Indian and Nepalese delicacies available to buy + henna and arts and crafts.
Holi colours included and will be supplied at the event.
Food and drinks available to purchase.
Playing with Holi colour 2pm
To avoid disappointment please book early as we have limited capacity.
For more info email: events@equatorfestival.com
“Holi is an ancient Indian festival which is a celebration of equality within different races. It is celebrated annually at the onset of spring to celebrate all colours in nature.”
“I really feel its very important for people of all age groups to learn this beautiful message. “ ( a student from Highworth Grammar School)
Colour packets are provided but please have face wipes handy to be able to clean your face and hands at the end.
– Please bring lots of change for the food and drinks stalls!
The event is open to all communities.
In partnership with the Folkestone Nepalese Community and we thank them for their support.
Event is outside. Public toilets available.
There will be marquees organised if rain is forecast.
The Holi powder is provided and comes from a reliable and safe supplier – it is corn-powder mixed with food colouring.
Come and celebrate Holi – the Festival of Colour, which heralds the beginning of Spring.
Featuring Asian bollywood music and dance + a bollywood dance workshop + food stalls of traditional Indian and Nepalese delicacies available to buy + henna stalls.
We will also have the acclaimed Dj Ritu MBE from London and Club Kali fame playing her favourite selection of bhangra and bollywood hit songs.
Holi colours included and will be supplied at the event.
Food and drinks available to purchase.
Playing with Holi colour 2pm
To avoid disappointment please book early as we have limited capacity.
For more info email: events@equatorfestival.com
“Holi is an ancient Indian festival which is a celebration of equality within different races. It is celebrated annually at the onset of spring to celebrate all colours in nature.”
“I really feel its very important for people of all age groups to learn this beautiful message. “ ( a student from Highworth Grammar School)
Colour packets are provided but please have face wipes handy to be able to clean your face and hands at the end. Colour powder is hypoallergenic and easily washes off with water and does not stain clothes. If you wear white the colours show up more vividly – especially good if you want to take loads of photos.
– Please bring lots of change for the food and drinks stalls!
The event is open to all communities.
In partnership with Victoria Park and we thank them for their support.
Address – Victoria Park, Jemmett Road, Ashford TN23 4QD
Event is in the main park near the fountain. Public toilets available.
There will be marquees organised if rain is forecast.
Join us to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 in Ashford with speakers, music, and artists from around the world including the Women of the World Orchestra and featuring musicians from Iran, Syria, Palestine, Hongkong, Africa, Ukraine, India and featuring dancers and musicians There will be food and drinks to purchase. Arts/crafts stall spaces available.
This is a free event but booking is advisable as spaces are limited.
Programme details will be updated soon.
Programme does include Women of the World Orchestra, Ukrainian Voices, Ashford Community Choir led by inspirational choir leader Karen Hill, and Indian and Nepalese dance groups.
Suggested donations of £5 -£10 most welcome.
The new Nepali/Limbu cultural movie “SUGUP” (Soo-Goop) is a movie that portrays the beliefs and rituals of Yakthung Limbu people during a woman’s pregnancy and childbirth time. The movie explores Limbu people’s lifestyle in their homeland, their beliefs derived from their spiritual sacred text called MUNDHUM (Moon-Dhoom) in modern day village setting, assimilated well with the mainstream Nepali culture along with their own Yakthung culture.
The movie mainly focuses on the rituals that are performed by the family when a family member is pregnant, and also focuses on the hardened belief of Yakthung Limbu people that ignoring rituals will bring omen to the mother and baby inside her womb.
The term SUGUP itself is a fatal fate of a mother and/or the baby she is carrying in her womb due to the shunning of mandatory rituals. SUGUP tries to portray many other aspects of Limbu people and their cultural spectrum, such as their traditional dances, local markets, foods, beverages, sacred rituals etc.
The movie contains both Khas Nepali language and Yakthung Paan (Limbu Language) with English subtitles.
