Music Stage
An attractive line-up of African and Irish artists performed on the Music Stage at Irish Aid's Africa Day Limerick. As well as offering an ecclectic mix of musical genres and traditions, the Music Stage also featured comedy routines and dance performances throughout the day.
Local Limerick resident, Arnold Nyembwe Kashembeand, was on hand to act as MC for the Music Stage. Acts performing on the day included:
Koko Tanjah
Koko TanJah was born in Kinshasa, in the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC).
Early in his life he was exposed to the
world of music. Aged only eight, he was accompanying his mother on
drums while she was singing at traditional funerals.
When he
was 13, Koko's family decided to leave the DRC and the young Koko
Tanjah ended up in Bamako, Mali, where he was later joined by the rest
of his family.
From there, Koko Tanjah focused on his musical
gift, and worked hard to integrate himself into the local music scene in
Bamako. First, he made his break on radio and TV with his songs 'Polé
Polé' and 'N'zambe Mokonzi'. His talent was recognised by the producer /
artist Franco-Malian Manjul, who hired him on his label 'Humble Ark
Records'. In 2009, this explosive musical cooperation produced the
album 'Mwinda', with 11 tracks.
To listen to Koko Tanjah, click here.
The Amazing Few 
Following a hugely popular performance at Africa Day Dublin, the Amazing Few played again at Africa Day Limerick.
The Amazing Few are wizards of feel-good frenzy, dancing, delirium and general mayhem. A two to 14-piece band, notorious for their high-energy shows, they mix peppy pop with punkish quirk, and throw in face-painters, pinatas, confetti balloons plus too many other colourful and noisy props to mention.
The band's wildly different, excitable songwriting has been compared to the B-52s, the Clash, Presidents of the United States of America, Frank Zappa, Pavement, Frank Black and the Mouldy Peaches.
The Amazing Few have supported or shared the stage with I'm from Barcelona, Adam Green, Presidents of the United States of America, Alex Zane, Har Mar Superstar, Mundy, Ham Sandwich, The Pale, The Aftermath, Dufus and many more. Their recent highlights include a special feature about the band on the RTÉ 1 television programme, 'Capital D'; three shows at the 2009 Electric Picnic, and appearances at last year's Dublin Fringe Festival, Dublin Arts Festival, Knockanstockan and Vantastival.
In 2007, The Amazing Few released their first single, 'The Fairy Omar', and in 2009, they released 'Russian Girls'. They have two new singles coming out in the very near future.
To hear the unique sound of The Amazing Few, click here.
Lady Sheila Musical Band
Performing for the first time at an Irish Aid Africa Day
event, the Lady Sheila Musical Band played a medley of music from
Eastern, Central and South Africa.
The Lady Sheila Musical Band
is a social cooperative consisting of 12 full-time members. For their
performance at Africa Day Limerick, they will bring a four-piece band
and two dancers.
The Limerick-based band has been in existence
for a number of years, and aims to promote social advancement and
integration in a multicultural Ireland.
For more information see:
www.sheilaogie.net
Fabu D 
Following a successful appearance at Africa Day Dublin this year - and appearances at Irish Aid's flagship Africa Day events in 2009 - Fabu D performed again at Africa Day Limerick.
Nigerian-born comedian David Thomas is better known by his stage name, Fabu D (or Fabulous David). The 22-year-old has a growing reputation as being one of the first ethnic minority comedians to emerge onto the comedy circuit in Ireland.
Fabu D has performed at a number of comedy festivals and is a regular at the ‘Battle of the Axe’ open mic nights at the Ha'Penny Bridge Inn in Dublin. He also does regular entertainment slots at African social events throughout Ireland.
Fabu D’s appeal extends to people of all ages from around the world, making him a popular favourite at Africa Day.
To view footage of Fabu D in action at the 2009 flagship Africa Day events, click here.
Edo United Association (Cork)
Following their participation in the 2009 event, the Edo United Association (Cork) returned to Irish Aid's Africa Day Limerick for a cultural dance performance on the Music Stage. Their performance included traditional singing, drumming and dancing, and aimed to showcase the rich heritage of the Bini Community of the Edo State in Nigeria.
The Edo United Association is located in Rathcormac, Co. Cork. The Association promotes Bini culture and heritage through lectures, drama, cultural displays, and songs. The mission of the Association is to portray the rich cultural heritage of the Binis in particular and the Edos in general. The Association also promotes integration amongst its members.
Limerick Jazz Workshop
The Limerick Jazz Workshop was
set up in November 2007 to promote participation in playing jazz in the
Mid-West region. The ensemble comprises students and expert teachers. They meet every week and each session involves the students developing
their skills by learning and performing some of the great standards in
the jazz repertoire.
There is also a specialist class for singers that runs in parallel with
the instrumental ensembles.
The Limerick Jazz Workshop regularly
performs in public. Their ensembles have supported performers such as Des Bishop and the
Soweto Gospel Choir at the University Concert Hall, Limerick.
Limerick
Jazz Workshop is generously supported by UCH’s Participation and
Learning Programme and the Peter Dee Academy of Music.
For more
information, audio and video links, click here.
Elikya Choir
The Elikya Choir returned to Africa Day Limerick in 2010, following a hugely popular performance at the 2009 flagship event in Limerick.
The Choir was formed in 2001 and began as a project initiated by Doras Luimní and the Irish World Music Centre at the University of Limerick. It strives to promote multicultural diversity and integration. In 2006, it was awarded charity status.
The Elikya Choir comprises members from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, South Africa, England and Holland.
For further information click here.
Lucky Crew
The Lucky Crew is comprised of three young rappers: Lucky, CJ and Little M. The Crew write their own lyrics and origianl music. In 2009, they won the Spirit of Africa Talent Show in Galway.
The members in Lucky Crew hail from Nigeria and Ireland, and their performance at Africa Day Limerick featured rythmic beats, original sound productions and creative lyrics.
To check them out at the Spirit of Africa celebrations in Galway last year, click here.
For a sample of Lucy Crew's sound, click here and here.
Afrish Arts
Limerick-based DJ, Afrish Arts (aka Zenzo Nyathi), played a DJ set of original African music and Afro-house at the Music Stage at Irish Aid's Africa Day Limerick. Afrish Arts began his career as a DJ in 2007 and, to date, he has played in venues around Limerick and Galway.
Afrish Arts' DJ set reflected the cultural heritage of Africa and the African diaspora, and aimed to convey African identity through music.
Afrish Arts' gig at Africa Day Limerick was the first time he performed at an Africa Day celebration, and he hopes to be back for many more in the future!
P-Starz
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P-Starz, who also played at Africa Day Dublin this year, performed again at Africa Day Limerick. This Dublin-based R’n’B group was formed in 2008, and is comprised of C-Jizzy (Producer / Songwriter / Rapper); PJ (Rapper / Songwriter), Linda (Vocalist / songwriter) and Cynthia (Vocalist / Songwriter).
As well as performing at the flagship Africa Day events in 2009 and 2010, P-Starz has performed in a number of venues around Ireland, including the Ambassador, Eamon Doran’s and The Village.
These four talented musicians are hoping to bring a unique approach to the Irish hip hop / R’n’B scene. They want to send positive messages through their music, as well as share their own life experiences with their listeners.
Click here to check out P-Starz.