|
International Artists to WOW Wigan Crowds
 On Sunday 7th August, Mesnes Park, Wigan
will come alive to the beautiful sights, sounds and vibrant spirit of the
eagerly awaited Wigan One World Festival (WOW). A free celebration of
multiculturalism in the heart of Wigan, the festival will showcase the
talents of artists from as far a field as the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean,
Africa and Europe.
Spearheading the show, which runs from 12pm to 6pm, will be the
wonderfully powerful Toca Rufa percussion group from Portugal;
Martinique’s fantastic hip-hop organisation MD Company; Trinidad and
Tobago’s multi-talented music and dance company Belmont Freetown and the
effervescent acrobatic dancers and musicians of Kozman Ti Dalon from
Reunion Island.
The high point of the day is the 2pm Carnival Procession around Mesnes
Park, including the international performers and the stunning costumes of
the 60-strong ‘Little Branches’ carnival group from Westleigh. The
fun-packed day, which attracted four thousand people last year, will also
feature performances by community performers from across the North West
including Brittannia Rumba, Afrocats, The International Crew and the WOW
Carnival Band.
“This year promises to be the most exciting and visually stunning festival
we have ever put together. We are now into our third year and the 2005
festival has got a wider array of special performances and events than
ever,” says Michael Rycroft, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Community
Festivals Manager. “Of course there is an important message behind the
festival, which is especially apt in the current climate we are living in.
The WOW Festival is about celebrating the beauty and diversity of our
multicultural society and we hope it portrays the sheer joy and vibrancy
felt by people across our community as a result of this.”
Alongside the song and dance spectacular the festival will also feature
artistic installations; a fun dog show; food from around the world; a
children’s play area; community stalls and a table football competition.
While local community groups such as ‘Little Branches’ of Westleigh and
Kurdish residents will perform hand in hand with their professional
counterparts from across the globe, the festival also offers young people
the chance to join in the fun at the Kick Racism Out Of Football fun
football festival. The football festival, organised by WLCT, is for
children aged eight and under, who can play five-a-side football and
rugby, while learning the importance of racial tolerance and respect in
both sport and the community.
Those who wish to preview the festival are welcome to attend one of the
specially commissioned events on Saturday 6th August. Firstly the Turnpike
Gallery will host African Gospel singing and Afro-Caribbean dance at 6pm;
this is a free event but must be booked prior to attendance, please phone
01942 486921. Later on Saturday at 8.30pm, The Tavern will host the WOW
Carnival Band, Kozman Ti Dalon and DJ Hot Pepper who will be supported by
local bands thanks to the Wigan Music Collective; entrance is £3.50 or
£2.50 with a WOW flyer.
The WOW Festival promises to be the most spectacular and awe-inspiring
event of the summer. The fun at Mesnes begins at 12pm and lasts for a full
six hours, rain or shine it will be a fun day for all ages and is of
course completely free to enjoy.
For further information on the WOW Festival please contact Michael Rycroft
on 01942 486922 or see http://wowfestival.org or www.wlct.org. To learn
more about Kick Racism Out Of Football and the fun football festival,
please contact John Hesketh on 01942 486916.
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this News Release please
contact Chris Dunbar, PR Consultant, WLCT on 01942 486937 or at
c.dunbar@wlct.org
Return to Trust News
|