From: Equator Festival [events_at_equatorfestival_dot_com]

Sent: 31 October 2011 13:16

Subject: Equator Festival - Zimbabwean group Black Umfolosi and a special Indian Dinner event with dance in Ashford and Folkestone

PRESS

Nov 1st 2011

Equator Festival continues on Sunday 6th and Monday 7th November

with Black Umfolosi

who bring inspirational song and dynamic African dance to Kent

and a celebratory Indian Dinner event with dance and music on Sat Nov 12th

Black Umfolosi - the international Zimbabwean band perform

in Ashford and Folkestone as part of their national tour

on Nov 6th and Nov 7th

Be a supporter of Equator - Become an Equator Member for less than 25p a week and you can get 10% discount on all Ashford tickets as well as on Cds and merchandise sold at all our events. You will also get a 10% discount in certain gourmet restaurants around Ashford where we have tasted the excellent food. You can pay the annual member's fee of �12 by cheque or at the door. Do email us and we will send you further details.

Black Umfolosi - one of Zimbabwe's most dynamic musical bands will be perform in Kent as part of the fifth Equator Music festival. The band will entertain audiences with heartfelt traditional songs and dance from their native southern Africa -

Sunday 6^th November, 5pm at the Ashford Youth Theatre with a workshop included

Monday 7th November,7.45pm at The Quarterhouse in Folkestone as part of the Folkestone Book Festival.

Black Umfolosi was formed in 1982 by school friends in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, who named themselves after the Umfolozi Omnyama River in South Africa- to where their ancestors can be traced. Over the years the band have toured extensively and their trademark harmonies - mixed with intricate rhythms, clicking and clapping - are highlighted during their brilliantly choreographed shows with a full range of movements from subtle to vibrant stomping and leaping!

The group's popular, mesmerising Gumboot dances showcase the traditional styles and rituals of the South African mining regions.

Indian dinner, with dance and music in Ashford

Sat November 12th, North School, Essella Road, 8 pm

A celebratory evening of Indian dance, music and traditional Indian food.

Live entertainment from cross- cultural masters ShivaNova and their ensemble of talented international musicians and stunning dancers performing traditional Indian and Bollywood pieces combined with contemporary influences captivating audiences with their high energy performances.

Audiences also have the opportunity to participate in Indian drumming and Bollywood dance workshops before the performance from 7pm.

The Equator Festival, organised by Shiva Nova, runs until the 3^rd December across a number of venues in Ashford, Chatham, Folkestone and Whitstable.

Priti Paintal director of ShivaNova said: "We are thrilled to be promoting such a wide range of high-quality music events in Kent .This season we have some spectacular acts which in addition to the gum boot dances from the sell-out Zimbabwean group Black Umfolosi, Gypsy and Latin sounds and a rather special Indian dinner and dance event". www.equatorfestival.com

Special offer - If you buy full- priced tickets for 2 Ashford events you will get the lower priced ticket half-price.

For full listings visit: www.equatorfestival.com

To join our mailing list email us at events_at_equatorfestival_dot_com

The EQUATOR series is supported by Arts Council England, Kent County Council, Ashford Borough Council, Shepway Borough Council, the Quarterhouse, Medway Council, Kent Music and ShivaNova.

Equator Kent Festival listings details follow below:

Saturday 8th October 7.30pm	Ashford	St. Mary's Church, The Churchyard, Ashford TN23 1QG	�9, �6, �2 (child) 01233 330316	CoCo Xpress Salsa + workshop
Friday 21st October 8pm	Ashford	Norton Knatchbull, Hythe Road, Ashford TN24 0QJ	Adults �6 child (4-16) �4 Students �2 Deadline for entry Oct 10th 01233 330316	Equator Music Competition
Sunday 23rd October 5.00pm	Whitstable	Horsebridge Arts Centre, 11 Horsebridge Rd, Kent CT5 1AF	�12, �8 conc, �2 children 01227 281174	Black Umfolosi incl workshop
Sunday 6th November 5.00pm	Ashford	Ashford Youth Theatre, 1 Dover Place, Ashford TN23 1HU	�9, �6, �2 (child) 01233 330316	Black Umfolosi incl workshop
Monday 7th November 7.45pm	Folkestone	Quarterhouse, Tontine Street, Kent CT20 1JR	�10 and �7 conc, child �1 01303 858500	Black Umfolosi
Saturday 12th November 8pm	Ashford	North School, Essella Road, Ashford TN24 8AL	�14, �6(child) 01233 330316	Indian Dance, Music and Dinner
Friday 18th November 7.30pm, 6.30pm Dance Workshop	Chatham	Brook Theatre, Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE	Tickets - �9 adults, �6 concs, children �2 01634 338338	Kasai Masai
Saturday 19th November 7.30pm	Ashford	Ashford Youth Theatre, 1 Dover Place, Ashford TN23 1HU	�9, �6 conc, �2 (child) 01233 330316	Tatcho Drom - Gypsy Fiddle Feast
Saturday 3rd December 7.30pm	Ashford	St. Mary's Church The Churchyard TN23 1QG	�9, �6 conc, �2 (child) 01233 330316	Master Blues Brothers

Book online for Ashford events at www.equatorfestival.com.

Tickets also available from Ashford Visitor Information Centre, 2nd Floor, Ashford Gateway Plus,Church Road, TN23 1QX, 01233 330316, tourism_at_ashford_dot_gov_dot_uk,

Also from Right Track Music Shop, 25-27 Tufton Street, TN23 1QN,

info_at_righttrackmusicshop_dot_co_dot_uk 01233 662682

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