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The Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council’s Festival of World Cultures runs July 23-25

Featuring over 800 artists from 33 countries in 180 events, the dlr Festival of World Cultures celebrates its 10th anniversary with its strongest line-up yet. With new dates at the end of July, the three-day Festival provides audiences with the best multi-arts, multi-cultural holiday feast of the summer without ever needing to leave Ireland.

Highlights of the 2010 festival include:

THE BEST MUSIC FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Moving the Festival to July has enabled the Festival to programme some of the finest world musicians touring today. This year audiences can welcome the Irish debuts of international icon, world music superstar, UN Goodwill Ambassador and charismatic Algerian King of Raï, Khaled in a free concert on Newtownsmith Main Stage; the sweaty, jungle-inspired retro voodoo funk from legendary Benin sensations Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou; rising Malian star Rokia Traoré who Time Out credited as “arguably the most exciting, most thrilling live African music show around”; Trinidadian Queen of Calypso, Calyspo Rose; former Sigur Rós string section, Icelandic sensation Amiina; Mexican cabaret icon Astrid Hadad; the extraordinary musicianship, jazz roots and thriving hip hop sensibility of Hypnotic Brass Ensemble; and a collaboration of some of the greatest composers and performers in the world as Pól Brennan presents Guo Yue, Ayub Ogada and Tara Byrne.

10th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EVENT: HOMELAND

A specially commissioned collaborative performance featuring four of the world’s most fascinating voices. Irish sean-nós singer Iarla Ó’Lionáird, Canadian Inuit throat singer and recent Björk collaborator Tanya Tagaq and Norwegian ‘yoikers’ Adjágas combine their vocal talents for an exceptional once-off concert exploring the theme of homeland and the stark and stunning landscapes of their birth: West Cork, Nunavut and Sámpi – all in the stunning surroundings of Monkstown Church

RADIO HEMISPHERE

For the first time the Festival will broadcast non-stop throughout the weekend with Radio Hemisphere. Tune in via the website for a definitive behind the scenes guide to the Festival. With live and recorded music, interviews, magazine programmes and Festival news direct from the team that make it happen, Radio Hemisphere will ensure the whole world can be a part of Ireland’s world music festival.

KINGSTON STATION

Three explosive venues. Two jam-packed days. Over 20 outstanding acts celebrate the best in traditional music, song and dance from Ireland and around the world on The Kingston Hotel’s Outdoor Garden Stage and in The Kingston Ballroom and Bar. Highlights include The Máirtín O’Connor Band, Lúnasa, Alan Kelly Quartet, Guidewires, TRASNA and the ‘Departures Lounge’ International Ensemble in Residence, Ttukunak.

FAITH SPACE

A thought-provoking, life-affirming multi-faith programme of events in response to the theme of ‘compassion’. Meet Buddhist Monks from India’s Drepung Loseling Monastery and take part in a Q&A session with Tibetan Lama Nyendak Tulku.  Relax, sip green tea, talk and exchange with others, and if you are inspired by the International Charter for Compassion, participants are invited to join in affirming and signing it.

A FAMILY FESTIVAL

The Festival hosts an impressive variety of activities for all the family, from the Mela, a colourful blast of South East Asian arts, flavours and creativity supported by Incredible India, incorporating performances by leading Indian cultural troupe Yakshagana Kendra, funded by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, to the dedicated kids activity area within the Cool Earth environmental exhibition and the Festival’s superb programme of fun and educational workshops. 

Full Programme and ticket sales will be on the website from 12 noon on June 18, 2010 at www.festivalofworldcultures.com

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