461 
As to the line-up for Africa Day, it opened with local teen rockers Stick N Poke, their hitherto hidden Soweto inspirations, we have to assume, shining through.
Simply the best hair on the day… SAT16MAY26
t is, of course, both fab agus groovy that each year we have a festival in 
the town that reflects the great big melting pot that is Ireland today.
t is, of course, both fab agus groovy that each year we have a festival in 
the town that reflects the great big melting pot that is Ireland today.The only problem is, Africa Day could, and should, be so much better.
As can sometimes happen with Wicklow Arts Office-funded events, you get the strong impression here that this festival is more about box-ticking that breaking boundaries.
As tends to happen most years, Africa Day arrived with little warning, and no press release, with the line-up for the day only being confirmed the night before. Emails to the organisers over the past week all went unanswered.
As to the line-up for Africa Day, it opened with local teen rockers Stick N Poke, their hitherto hidden Soweto inspirations, we have to assume, shining through. 
And alongside the ever-present Moving Skirts from Bray and the ever-reliable Zumba With Audrey, there were three actual African-themed offerings – namely musicians 
Zozo and Egbe along with Sli Na Croi and No Wahala, the latter the work of local would-be councillor and festival co-disorganiser Annie Waithira Burke.
Zozo and Egbe along with Sli Na Croi and No Wahala, the latter the work of local The announcement of the line-up less than 24 hours before kick-off is, we reckon, a tad on late side. Unless, of course, you’ve got King Sunny Adé flying in as a top secret special guest, and need to maintain some hush-hush to keep the crowd numbers down.
That the skies were grey (and wet) for much of the day – the sun only getting its act together towards closing time – didn’t help matters either.
Still, cameras were clicked, drums were, eh, kicked, and boxes were ticked, meaning it’s on to the Arklow Arts Centre on May 23rd and Wicklow Town on May 30th. Huzzah!
Thanks to John McGowan for once again capturing the day. You can check out his full gallery of hi-res pics here.
1 comment
Went down late, about 4.00 and there were only a very few of us at that stage which was sad. Weather didn’t help , also the lack of promotion and advertising….. much more planning and prior community commitment needed. Thank you to the 2 brave dancers Trish