Umoja plans peaceful show
Sep 25, 2011
THE Bayimba Festival that took place last week had various moments that will not be forgotten in a long time. While we are still dealing with that festival hang-over, here comes another one; the Umoja Cultural Flying Carpet Festival.
By Emmanuel Ssejjengo
THE Bayimba Festival that took place last week had various moments that will not be forgotten in a long time. While we are still dealing with that festival hang-over, here comes another one; the Umoja Cultural Flying Carpet Festival.
Starting today through to Sunday at the National Theatre , a total of 80 artistes from five different countries will perform. Artistes will represent cultures from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Norway.
On Friday and Sunday, the shows start at 2:00pm, while kick-off time for Saturday is 12:00pm. Like Bayimba, entrance is free, so you should expect a big audience.
However, Umoja promises to be a different kind of festival. It takes place in an auditorium; meaning that it will attract only those interested and have a higher appreciation of the arts.
We are not going to have people shouting through contemporary dance shows or while an orchestra is presenting the very intimate classical music. The undisciplined will find no comfort here.
It is not a festival that comes with the big names. Rather, artistes between ages 16 and 27 applied, went through rigorous auditions and training. The festival is a series of the collaborations between these artistes.
From Uganda, most participants have been drawn from the Latin Flavour dancers and university students.
Music and dance will predictably take centre-stage. But certainly, no one can deny the attraction that will be offered by the circus and acrobatic shows.
Since free shows attract big audiences, you may have to book your tickets in advance to access the less than 400-seater auditorium.
However, if all fails and you miss out, you will have to wait until next Friday to catch the performances at Ndere Centre, just that it will not come free.
THE Bayimba Festival that took place last week had various moments that will not be forgotten in a long time. While we are still dealing with that festival hang-over, here comes another one; the Umoja Cultural Flying Carpet Festival.
Starting today through to Sunday at the National Theatre , a total of 80 artistes from five different countries will perform. Artistes will represent cultures from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Norway.
On Friday and Sunday, the shows start at 2:00pm, while kick-off time for Saturday is 12:00pm. Like Bayimba, entrance is free, so you should expect a big audience.
However, Umoja promises to be a different kind of festival. It takes place in an auditorium; meaning that it will attract only those interested and have a higher appreciation of the arts.
We are not going to have people shouting through contemporary dance shows or while an orchestra is presenting the very intimate classical music. The undisciplined will find no comfort here.
It is not a festival that comes with the big names. Rather, artistes between ages 16 and 27 applied, went through rigorous auditions and training. The festival is a series of the collaborations between these artistes.
From Uganda, most participants have been drawn from the Latin Flavour dancers and university students.
Music and dance will predictably take centre-stage. But certainly, no one can deny the attraction that will be offered by the circus and acrobatic shows.
Since free shows attract big audiences, you may have to book your tickets in advance to access the less than 400-seater auditorium.
However, if all fails and you miss out, you will have to wait until next Friday to catch the performances at Ndere Centre, just that it will not come free.