CommuniTree Festival (Ft The Dhol Foundation, Sidiki Dembélé Ensemble & Take 1 Dance)

Join Nottingham-based community arts organisation, CommuniTree, for an unforgettable celebration of culture, creativity and community.

The festival is a fantastic opportunity to bring people together through the unifying power of arts and culture.

Three outstanding acts are performing on the night, bringing music and dance flavours from West Africa, India and from our very own city of Nottingham. Charm Daley will also be compering the evening.

The Dhol Foundation

The Dhol Foundation are a UK based collective, founded by charismatic Master Drummer Johnny Kalsi. For over 20 years, they have been showcasing the thunderous rhythm of the Dhol to audiences across the world. Whether on a festival stage or venue, the group have become well known for their joyous, high energy performances.  The Dhol Foundation are headlining the festival with their energising DJ set, including Dhol percussion and some of the group’s most loved and popular pieces.

“Johnny Kalsi is Britain’s finest exponent of the dhol, the thundering Punjabi double-sided barrel  drum. It provides the beat for bhangra, but Kalsi has shown how it can be used in experimental  fusion styles through his work with Transglobal Underground and Afro Celt Sound System.”- The Guardian

Sidiki Dembélé Ensemble

Sidiki dembélé hails from an ancient line of Malian Griot musicians, diplomats and oral historians and was raised in the cultural traditions of his ancestors. He is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, beginning his professional musical career at the age of just 14 years old. Sidiki teaches at masterclass level internationally and was named 21st century Drummers Ambassador in 2020.

Sidiki composed for Justin Macgregor’s Mugabeland! (2012, Lowry Theatre), and as Musical Director for Ballet Nimba (2010-2015). He was selected to join the RSC as a Musician in Hamlet in 2016 and 2018. His credits include numerous appearances with the BBC Concert Orchestra, Welsh National Orchestra, Ulster National Orchestra; also fusion group, Chesaba, and more recently forming his own ensemble, bringing traditional music from West Africa to audiences in the UK and around the world.

Sidiki is joined on the evening by an outstanding collective of Griots from West Africa and promises to take the audience on a vibrant musical journey throughout West Africa and Mandeng musical heritage.

Take 1 Dance

Take 1 Dance is a prominent name within UK and international dance communities, particularly in the vibrant world of Hip-hop dance.

With their base in Hyson Green in Nottingham at Take 1 Studios, Take 1 Dance, is a creative haven for young people, founded by Director Courtney Rose. For over two decades, Take 1 Studios has provided a nurturing environment for artistic expression and exploration, and Take 1 Dance have emerged from the studios to perform their original choreography at international competitions, winning countless awards along the way.

Take 1 Dance will be opening the show and setting the tone for a great night ahead!