The recipe for a successful MarketFest is simple and ready to eat this Friday
By Nelson Daily Staff
Take 100 vendors, mix in two live stages and sprinkle in healthy doses of music, dancers and some artisans and you have the first 2011 version of MarketFest.
This Friday the famous family friendly frolic will feature the diversity of the Kootenay region, encouraging the use of local goods.
MarketFest (6-10:30 p.m.) returns to the 200 and 300 block of Baker Street, with the Kids’ Tent will once again be located on Kootenay Street, outside the Bank of Montreal.
Market Fest also means fun and music for all ages right in the heart of Nelson.
The event starts off with a bang with Alseny Diallo and Kikeyambay Afrobeat Orchestra, plus Cattle Annie and the Crooked Corral, Moving Mosaic Samba Band, Wool On Wolves, Folk Fusion Dance ensemble, The Vortex Ensemble, and DJ Papa Roots and DJ Rhapsody.
Suggested $2 donation, with kids under 13 free.
Alseny Diallo and Kikeyambay
Alseny Diallo and Kikeyambay, an exciting musical project out of Victoria, is born out of a collaboration between Diallo’s deep knowledge of Guinean modern and traditional music, and the passion of Victoria’s Dancing Moon Multicultural Arts Company director, Ilana Moon.
Kikeyambay brings a dynamic, energetic traditional West African drum and dance show and a 12-piece Electric Afrofusion Orchestra.
A famed soloist and master djembe player from Guinea, Alseny Diallo has performed at internationally known djembefola Mamady Keita’s events and many other nationally sponsored festivals and competitions in his country.
He has a gift for teaching and sharing the rhythms of his culture and is considered one of the best djembé players in Canada.
He has performed at various festivals and theatre shows with five Juno award-winner Alpha YaYa Diallo and Naby Camara, as well as Yamoussa Bangara, artistic director of the celebrated acrobatic drum and dance troupe Kalabanté.
MarketFest is brought to you by The Nelson and District Credit Union, Kootenay Co-op Radio, The Royal on Baker, The City of Nelson, and the West Kootenay Eco Society.
