24th to 26th August 2024

This years programme includes a number of dance and percussion workshops taking place in the run up to the festival. 

the Workshops

the Workshops

Get in the rhythm for the Big Bang Festival with our series of Drum and Dance Workshops in Dublin over July and August.

FREE

Big Bang Dance Project, curated by Catherine Young Dance

Teachers; Catherine Young, Godfred Asare, Amir Sabra, Daria Asieieva, Tatiana Santos and Laura Lundy.

West African, Afro Brazilian and Palestinian Dabke dance. Every class is accompanied by live drumming. Bring water and dress to sweat!

Finale Performance at ‘Céilí Afro Dabke Ukraine,’ Richmond Barracks 2pm, Sat August 24.

Come earlier at 10am for free drumming workshops.

(Children over 12 are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult., limited places, booking essential).

.
11.30am to 12.45pm
Sat 13th July to 10th Aug & 24 Aug
Garden at Richmond Barracks

FREE

West African Drumming workshops

Led on various weeks by drummers Brian Fleming, Nicolas Severin, Barra O Flannaigh and Petit Mamady Keita as part of the Big Bang Festival of Rhythm, the workshops will start with warm ups and technique tips. They will concentrate on the rhythms of the Mandingue people of West Africa, rhythms made for the popular hand drum, the djembe and the less well known accompanying dun duns.

There will be a performance on the final Saturday afternoon August 24th and participants will be welcome to join the professional drummers, including Petit Mamady Keita for part of the performance.
You can book each date you want to attend below. Beginners and improvers are welcome, drums can be supplied. Stay after for the free dance workshop from 11.30-12.45!

.

(Children over 12 are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult., limited places, booking essential).

.

10.00am to 11.15pm
Saturdays 13th July to 10th August and 24 August,
Garden at Richmond Barracks

whats on

whats on

24th, 25th & 26th Aug 2024

24 Aug · Dublin

presents

CÉILÍ AFRO DABKE UKRAINE

This vibrant, upbeat world music Céilí dance conceived by Catherine Young & The Welcoming Project, will feature dance styles from around the world including Palestinian Dabke dance, African dance and Ukrainian folk dance, finishing off the evening with some of the traditional Irish Céilí dances.

Energised by world class live musicians, this event is open to everyone to join in, try something new, dance together and meet our neighbours from around the world.

2pm
Sat 24th Aug
Richmond Barracks, Dublin
Admission – FREE

hello@bigbangfestival.ie for more details

24th Aug

West African Drumming with "Petit’ Mandy Keita"

Presented by Big Bang Festival of Rhythm in association with the NCH

WORKSHOP 1

Learn West ~ African percussion with one of the greats of the tradition. Bring your own djembe or dundun or learn with ours. Beginning with some basics and moving to intermediate rhythms and phrases over the course of 2 hours, this is a unique opportunity to learn from the best.

‘Petit’ Mamady who makes his first visit to Ireland is know to djembe players worldwide for his famous cameo as a three year old prodigy in the 1991 documentary ‘Djembefola’ about the legendary Guinean djembe master Mamady Keita. where he appeared with the area Mamady and Famoudou Konaté.

Option 1: €10 if bringing drums
Option 2: €15 if borrowing drum
20% discount for students & unwaged
Observer tickets: €5

Tickets on this Friday.

5.00pm
Sat 24th Aug
Kevin Barry Room
National Concert Hall, Dublin

24th Aug

Introduction to Afro Brazilian percussion with Masamba

Presented by Big Bang Festival of Rhythm in association with the NCH

WORKSHOP 2
Introduction to Afro Brazilian percussion with Masamba, celebrating 30 years of samba in Dublin! It’s no coincidence that it’s also 30 years since the first Big Bang Festival of Rhythm in 1994 changed forever how Dubliners think about rhythm. Learn to play the drums that drive the Brazilian football team and the carnivals of Rio. Workshop is 2 hours long, with all instruments supplied by Masamba.

 

Full Price Participant: €15
Students Ticket: €10 
Observer tickets: €5 (10 places)

 

Capacity 40 participants

Tickets on sale this Friday.

5.00pm
Sat 24th Aug

Kevin Barry Room

National Concert Hall, Dublin

County Clare

West African Drumming in West Clare

West African Percussion performance with ‘Petit’ Mamady Keita from Guinea, in performance with Slí Na Croí.

_
Admission by donation
4pm – 6pm (Sunday)
Aug 25th
The Barn, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, V95 NY02

Places are limited, but you can email us to secure a spot. hello@bigbangfestival.ie

County Clare

West African Percussion workshop with ‘Petit Mamady Keita, from Guinea

Learn West ~ African percussion with one of the greats of the tradition. Bring your own djembe or dundun or learn with ours. Beginning with some basics and moving to intermediate rhythms and phrases over the course of 2 hours, this is a unique opportunity to learn from the best.

_
15 euro
7pm – 9pm
Aug 26th
The Barn, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, V95 NY02
Places are limited

26 Aug · Dublin

Bodhran Workshop

With Dermot Sheedy

Learn to play the bodhran, the heartbeat of Irish music with one of Ireland’s masters; Dermot Sheedy of Hermitage Green fame.

Dermot, a virtuoso of the Bodhrán, holds seven All-Ireland titles. Globally captivating audiences with Hermitage Green, his three top 5 albums and sold-out shows span Ireland, the US, Australia, Canada, the Middle East, and the UK. Dermot collaborates with luminaries like Dónal Lunny, Síomha, Beoga, Kíla, The Kilfenora Céilí Band, Stockton’s Wing, Strange Boy, and Susan O’Neill.

Bodhrans will be supplied.

PRICE

20 euro

6.30pm (2 HOURS)
Mon 26th Aug
Gandharva Loka, 62 
Sth Gt George Street, Dublin

30 July · Dublin

Intermediate to Advanced

Intermediate and Advanced West African Drumming

With Monette Marino Keita & Nasira Marino Keita

14 years since the historic visit to the NCH and Big Bang by the late great Guinean percussion icon, Mamady Keita, two extraordinary drummers, his then wife Monette and his daughter, Nasira, make a return vist to continue his teaching.

This is a unique opportunity to learn West African percussion from two of the best.
Participants are invited to bring your own drum or drums can be supplied.

An evening of Indian percussion.

Full Price Participant: €15
Observer / student Ticket: €10
A guideline minimum 3 years previous training is recommended

An evening of Indian percussion.

2.30pm – 4.00pm
Sun 30th July
National Concert Hall, Dublin

Dublin

Drumming Workshops

Join us for free drumming workshops on Saturday mornings with Brian Fleming and Nicolas Severin as part of the Big Bang Festival of Rhythm.

 

Following warm ups and technique tips, the workshops will concentrate on the rhythms of the Mandingue people of West Africa, rhythms made for the popular hand drum, the djembe and the less well known accompanying dun duns.

 

Final workshop is led by Monette and Nasira Marino Keita!

10am
June 24th
July 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
Richmond Barracks

These workshops are free, but you must register to book a place.

Dublin

African Dancing

Join us for free African Dance workshops with Catherine Young Dance and Godfred Asare of the African Dance Centre, as part of the Big Bang Festival of Rhythm. Every workshop is accompanied by live drumming. Bring water and dress to sweat!

11am
June 24th 
July 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
Richmond Barracks

These workshops are free, but you must register to book a place.

AFRICAN
DANCE
CENTRE