9Apr 2025
Comments Off on World in a Garden Tenterden – Tatcho Drom Eastern European music

World in a Garden Tenterden – Tatcho Drom Eastern European music

“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.

Food available from our specialist caterers.

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.

7Apr 2025
Comments Off on Samba Drumming Sessions

Samba Drumming Sessions

“Samba drumming sessions starting in Dover from Tuesday April 29th” 6.30pm, Biggin Hall, Biggin Street.

5Feb 2025
Comments Off on Women of the World Folkestone 2025

Women of the World Folkestone 2025

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.

5Feb 2025
Comments Off on Holi Celebrations Folkestone

Holi Celebrations Folkestone

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.

4Feb 2025
Comments Off on Holi Celebrations Ashford 2025

Holi Celebrations Ashford 2025

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.

4Feb 2025
Comments Off on Women of the World Ashford 2025 – International Women’s Day celebrations

Women of the World Ashford 2025 – International Women’s Day celebrations

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.

29Oct 2024
Comments Off on Nepalese Film series – Sugup (part of Winter World in a Tent)

Nepalese Film series – Sugup (part of Winter World in a Tent)

Nepalese Film series:

Sugup – Sat Nov 23rd – 2.30-4.30pm

Talk – 1.30pm

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.

29Oct 2024
Comments Off on Winter World in a Tent fair with stalls, world food + performances – Dover

Winter World in a Tent fair with stalls, world food + performances – Dover

Welcome to Winter World in a Tent fair in Dover! Join us on Sat Nov 23rd at St Mary’s Parish Centre for a celebration of diverse communities, cultures, landscapes and history of Dover. It will be an evening filled with stalls, world food, and performances. Explore unique crafts and gifts at the stalls, indulge in delicious international cuisine, and enjoy live entertainment through the night. It’s the perfect way to kick off the festive season with family and friends. There will be performances by the Orchestra from Everywhere made up of refugee musicians, singers and musicians performing a new arrangement of the well-known “White Cliffs of Dover” song with additional verses, some African drumming, Bollywood and Indian dancing for people to join in with, a display of Nepalese culture, heritage with dancing, Nepalese food + an exhibition by the Maison Dieu’s engagement team to celebrate the wonderful old Town hall building and its history. Hear stories of refugees and pilgrims welcomed through its doors over 800 years. Find out about the painstaking work to restore this spectacular neo-gothic building which re-opens next spring and how to get involved in its exciting 2025 programme. Make a big festive badge to celebrate Dover’s diverse communities, beautiful landscapes or rich history!

There will also be activities laid on by Kent AONB’s own Geoanimator on the landscapes around Dover – a wonderful opportunity for kids to meet the Kent AONB team !

Finally for the first time in Dover – a screening of the popular Nepalese film “Sugup” . Don’t miss out on this – it’s from 2.30-4.30pm at Dover Community Cinema. Entrance via Dover Museum, Market Square, Dover, CT16 1PH with a pre-screen talk at 1.30pm. After the screening join us at the fair from 5pm and tell us what you thought about the film over a cup of tea or coffee.

Final schedule will be added in the next few days.

Doors open at 5.30pm for the fair. Performances from 6.30pm.

There will be a bar with mulled wine, beer and soft drinks.

Venue – St Mary’s Parish Centre, Cannon Street,

Dover CT16 1BY. Car parking in the public car-park next to the venue.

Nepalese Film screening – 2.30- 4.30pm at Dover Community Cinema, entrance via Dover Museum. Pre-screening talk 1.30pm. Post screening discussion 5pm at the fair. You will need to register separately for this as seats in the cinema are limited. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nepalese-film-series-sugup–tickets-1061617098319?aff=oddtdtcreator

The fair is a free event but please register to join our raffle where you will win a bottle of wine or a food voucher at the fair.

 

10Oct 2024
Comments Off on Diwali celebration – Dinner and bollywood dance with performances

Diwali celebration – Dinner and bollywood dance with performances

Diwali Celebration – Dinner and Dance with Performances + Bollywood dancing

showcasing excerpts from the Ramayana with dancers and musicians

St Mary’s Parish Hall ( behind the main Church), 7 The Churchyard,

Come join us for a night full of joy and festivities at our Diwali celebration! Get ready to indulge in delicious Indian cuisine, showcase your dance moves, and enjoy mesmerizing performances of excerpts from the well-known Ramayana story with some of our virtuoso Indian dancers and musicians . The event will take place on Fri Nov 08 2024 at 18:30 GMT in TN23 1QG.

Experience the vibrant colors, lively music, and traditional rituals of Diwali in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Join in our Bollywood dance workshop – whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just looking to have a good time, this event is perfect for everyone. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to celebrate the Festival of Lights with us!

Everyone welcome, and donations on the day will be much appreciated.