The Oyé Active Zone

Beatlife Percussion Troupe Created in 2003 and based in Liverpool, the BeatLife percussion troupe combine Afro-Brazilian and Cuban grooves with modern urban beats to create an international sound. Working with young people from a variety of schools across Liverpool as well as their families, BeatLife provides long-term opportunities for learning percussion inside and outside school time. They have performed at many festivals and events in the UK and in countries across the world including Norway, Turkey and Malawi. This is their 8th consecutive year performing at Oyé.
For more information visit: beatlife.co.uk

The Oyé Active Zone in 2012

People of all ages and backgrounds had the chance to try; dance, music, singing and arts activities throughout the weekend lead by top local and international companies.

2012’s Oyé Active Zone platformed Big Dance 2012, the UK’s biggest celebration of dance as part of the London 2012 Festival for the Olympics and the cultural Olympiad.

Participants were also able to fine tune their vocal chords with Liverpool’s famous choir Sense of Sound, an award winning company that specialises in vocal training and in particular singing. Sense of Sound, together with Merseyside Dance Initiative are part of Breathe, an arts project that engages via dance, movement and singing, with individuals in Liverpool who experience asthma, helping people to better understand its signs and symptoms as well as working with them to find new ways of managing their condition through breathing, relaxation exercises and gentle movement.

Youth Dance Battle an open platform for young people of Liverpool to share their skills.

Movema had the crowd dancing around the world, with high energy dance workshops and performances including; African, Caribbean, Afro-Brazilian and Zumba. With international guest artists from the Oyé Stage The Endless Journey and Lamin Dumbuya from Sierra Leone hosting music workshops.
For more information visit: movema.co.uk and mdi.org.uk

River Niger Arts and Batala drummers lead a series of invigorating drum workshops demonstrating the similarities and differences of African and Brazilian drums.
For more information visit: rivernigerarts.com

Capoeira Performances and Workshops wowed the crowds with their acrobatic skills. Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, music, and dance. It was created in Brazil by slaves from Africa, especially from Angola, Mozambique and Congo sometime after the sixteenth century.
For more information visit: cdonw.co.uk

Holistic Therapies
Action meets relaxation with Maxine Brown from Mindfully Balanced
and Merseyside Dance Initiative, who provided holistic therapies, one-to-one treatments and group relaxation sessions.

There were also FREE African Mask and Carnival Headdress making Workshops hosted by The International Slavery Museum and galleries.

The cultural programme was focused on promoting health & wellbeing, learning and participation.

Thousands of people across the region have embraced the idea of the decade of Health & Wellbeing. Leading businesses to individuals within our communities have organised, suggested or taken part in events designed to improve our physical and mental wellness.

Whether it was pledging corporate support or setting
up a cycling club, it all helps to make a real difference to the way we feel, the way we play and the way we work.

As ever, you can also pledge your support for the Decade of Health and Well being, and take the first steps towards a healthier Liverpool City Region.
To find out more visit: 2020healthandwellbeing.org.uk

For Learning & Participation Projects visit: africaoye.com/tandt

Learning and Participation at Oyé 2011

First year foundation Students from The Manchester College were permitted total access to the Africa Oyé festival to record the sights
and sounds of the weekend as part of a project put together by their tutors in Radio Production Anne Harbin & Helen Kilbride who are both fans of the Festival.

Click here to listen
to the 2011
Festival Podcast

Click here to listen to the Africa Oyé Podcast

Africa Oyé is delighted with the results and feels the Podcast really
captures the essence of the Festival. Oyé would like to thank all of
the Students who took part in the project for their hard work and professionalism and hopes to continue this project on an annual
basis and extend the Project to include video footage next year.