Featuring Animated Africa Screening and Liam O’Maonlai with Niwel Tsumbu
To celebrate Africa Day 2010, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge are delighted to present two very special events marking this occasion. On Thursday 27th May at 11 & 12am, local primary school children will be treated to Animated Africa, a free screening of African-made cartoons to highlight the African culture. Following this on Thursday evening, the talented Liam O’Maonlai will take to the stage at 8pm, with a very special guest, Niwel Tsumbu, a well-known Congolese musician.
Liam Ó Maonlaí is one of Ireland’s best-loved musicians and singers, both in rock and traditional music. Bono once described Liam as ‘The Best white boy soul singer in the world’ and he has been also been described as one of Irelands best Sean Nos (traditional Irish) singers. Spanning over twenty years, Liam’s career has seen him have number one hits in over twenty countries, to playing with Aboriginal musicians in Australia outback and recording with some of the worlds best musicians including Carlos Nunes, Donal Luney, U2, Rolf Harris, Van Morrison to name but a few. A master pianist, Liam also performs on guitar, harp, tin whistle and bodhrán.
On this exceptional night of music, Congolese native Niwel Tsumbu will also make a special guest appearance, with Peter Erdei on bass and Eamon Cagney on percussion. Since his arrival in Ireland from the Congo in ‘04, Niwel has developed an enviable reputation as an elegant and fluent guitarist, vocalist and composer. His ability to vividly blend African rhythms, rumba, new jazz, classical flamenco and more has gained him ardent admirers all over Ireland. Playing electric & acoustic guitars & singing mostly in his native 'Lingala', Niwel performs a range of music that stretches from contemporary versions of Congolese traditional music from the 1930s & 40s to modern Jazz.
“Nothing short of exceptional” Hot Press
“Antidotes to the recession don’t come much more potent than this” Irish Times