Ayan De First showcases culture on Oct 19

Arts & Entertainment

Cultural icon and celebrity talking drummer - Ayan De First is to host the African Cultural Gala Night (ACGN) on October 19 at the Palm Hotel in London.

Put together to showcase African culture before a global audience, ACGN will be promoting the significance of the diverse and opulent African heritage through cultural dance and music. It will demonstrate the importance of dance and music as a medium for social engagement and communication to address key contemporary issues.

Ayan De First and his students will also be performing on the talking drums, while Nigerian-British children will also deliver renditions in the Igbo, Edo and Yoruba languages. Akwa Ibom dancers will also be performing for an audience that will include His Excellency Ambassador George Oguntade, the Nigeria High commissioner to the UK.

Ayan de First said: "The purpose of it is to showcase our rich cultural heritage and to also remind Africans and especially Nigerians, of where they come from.

"Our colonial masters have taken the whole lot out of us - be it religion, or confidence about all that we have, but could not take our culture from us.  Let us wake up from our slumber and revive, sustain and keep it alive."

Tickets for the event cost £40 and can be purchased by either ringing Theodora on 07943 823292, June on 07931 595287. Alternatively please visit www.oduduwatalkingdrummers.com