THERE'S an opportunity to hear and see a performance of traditional African music at Belstone Village Hall next month.

The venue has been chosen as one stage of the Africa Odyssey 2010 music tour, being organised by Denis Kigongo of Abantu Arts.

Based in Exmouth, Denis uses African arts and music to develop cross-cultural understanding, enhancing critical thinking about Africa and other world cultures.

Abantu Arts has performed all over the UK and has been involved in many music projects throughout Devon.

For the Africa Odyssey tour, Denis said: 'Fusing traditional African music with modern styles and arrangements, together with my  impressive  group of Ugandan musicians we will use a wide selection of African percussion, wind and string instruments to tell a Ugandan music story.'

The artists on tour include Denis Kigongo, Sarah Ndagire, Ouma Michael, Kazisac Kasule and Kasume Pedison from Uganda.

Denis said: 'We  will run numerous workshops in schools and put on shows and concerts for communities, bringing  a dynamic evening of African music, dancing and storytelling aimed at all the family.'

The performance will fuse traditional music, instruments and beats interspersed with modern styles and arrangements. 

The traditional instruments include akogo(thumb piano), endingidi (tube fiddle), engalabi (long drum), engoma (East African drum), djembe (West African drum), adungu (a stringed instrument), guitars and much more. 

The performances include drumming, dancing, singing storytelling and a display of African costumes, fabrics and art.

Abantu Arts will be performing in Belstone Village Hall on May 21 — times to be announced.