Improvised Music Company & Dublin City Council in association with the Big Bang Festival of Rhythm presents

HOTTER THAN JULY FESTIVAL 2018

A feel-good celebration of creativity, culture, diversity and community with high quality music performances from Irish-based and international acts.

A FREE, family-friendly world music festival, Hotter than July is back in Smithfield Square this Sunday 29th July, celebrating the cultural diversity in Dublin city through music and dance from around the world. Everybody welcome!

Now in its 5th year, Hotter than July is presented by Dublin City Council, and Improvised Music Company, in collaboration with the Big Bang Festival of Rhythm, and with the support of Creative Ireland. Dublin’s 98FM are also onboard to spread the word to Dubliners about another packed programme of feel-good rhythms and vibrant performances at this family-friendly, outdoor festival from 3pm-8pm on Sunday 29th July.

Kicking off with a big bang at 3pm, Hotter Than July welcomes the return of Morro 16, a vibrant samba ensemble ('bloco') based in Dublin, celebrating their 10th birthday this summer, bringing the energy, rhythm and vibe of Rio carnival to the streets of Smithfield!

Leafzang duo is a global music celebration between Irishman Paddy Groenland (Manden Express/Ensemble Eriu) and Brazilian drummer Andre Antunes which evolved from the duo’s shared love of Afro-diasporic music. Expect unique interpretations of songs from West and East Africa and Brazil, as well as original material.

Centred around the wizardry of concertina player and electronic sound designer Pádraig Rynne, NOTIFY are a band leading a new movement in Irish folk music, breathing new life into Trad, with a musical tapestry ranging from soft melodies to ‘crashing crescendos’.

All-female Afro-Brazilian percussion orchestra Zalindé from Paris do not hesitate to marry styles in a thrilling manner: samba, merengue, ijexà, maracatu, hip-hop, raï, African rhythms, sabar and samba-reggae.This twenty-strong batucada mixing percussion, dance and song guarantees a total exaltation of the senses!

An exciting special guest at Hotter than July, Billy Konaté is one of the most remarkable African percussionists of his generation, a virtuoso performer on djembe and dunduns traditional performing traditional the Malinke music of Guinea. See Zalinda and Billy Konaté’s full live shows at Whelans on Saturday 28th July as part of the Big Bang festival of Rhythm!

6-piece Afrofuturistic act Fehdah, led by Emma Garnett, is largely influenced by the Wassoulou music of West Africa combined with the neo-soul sound of North America. This polyphonically driven music brings a exciting mix of rhythm and harmony from two sides of the globe.

Enjoy the bayou funk and New Orleans style jazz from Toot Suite and the Shadowman; a sensational live outfit, with swampy hammond grooves, deep-in-the-pocket guitar, a take-no-prisoners horns, and an enviable rhythm section.

Hotter than July’s annual BIG BANG DANCE PROJECT will present an extract from Catherine Young's "It takes a Village", thanks to the support of Creative Ireland, incorporating West African and Palestinian Dabke dance, with an expanded group of dancers including asylum seekers from Kerry coming to Dublin to perform at with the Dance Workshop group from Dublin.

In addition to this exciting dance collaboration, Ireland’s leading multicultural choir Discovery Gospel Choir have joined forces with Hotter Than July to offer a series of Choral Workshops in advance of Hotter Than July, singing upbeat, traditional songs from around the world, culminating in a powerful ensemble performance on the afternoon of July 29th.

Hotter Than July has a full smorgasbord of high quality performances for everyone to enjoy on Sunday 29th July with lots of exciting flavours of music and dance from around the world.

More information at www.improvisedmusic.ie