Rich Mix hosts BATUKE! Festival: A Celebration of Afro-Luso Music and Dance

When: Friday 25th August to Monday 28th August Where: Rich Mix Cultural Foundation 35 – 47 Bethnal Green Road London E1 6LA

BATUKE! was born out of a passion for Afro-Luso arts by Creative Director Iris De Brito, who is also the Director of the Studio Afro Latino. The event was created in 2010 and has been supported by Arts Council England since 2015.

This year the BATUKE! festival will consist of 30+ hours of workshops delivered by international artists from the UK or abroad as well as parties and shows. Opening with an Afro networking event on Friday 5pm, BATUKE! will bring together artists, businesses and participants. 2017 highlights include an African Market Place, FREE participation for kids, Jean-Michel Rotin showcase as well as Iris De Brito dance theatre production on Saturday night. Since 2012, BATUKE! participates in the Notting Hill parade and you can catch them on Monday 28th.

It is the only festival in the UK focusing on the preservation and promotion of Afro-Luso music & dance. Including genres such as Kizomba, Semba, Kuduro and more, the festival is on a mission to explore Afro-Luso music & dance origins & influences. There is something for everyone to enjoy at BATUKE! offering participants an immersive experience between tradition & modernity.

With a residency at Rich Mix London since 2016, the festival is sponsored by TRACE TV, a major broadcaster focused on Afro-Urban entertainment and will be covered by France Televisions network.

BATUKE has been self-funded for the first 4 years, but has reached a turning point, with plans to expand globally. With support from Arts Council England BATUKE can now offer affordable passes taking the passes down from £100 to £40 since 2016, as well FREE activities to members of the public, from kids focused classes to public performances at South Bank (Africa Utopia) and other outlets (Boxpark London or King’s Cross area).