The local meets the global in the music event Force Of Nature at Harpurhey’s North City Library on Saturday 4th May, and Longsight Library and Learning Centre on Saturday 11th May.
Force of Nature, developed and performed by The Song Warriors – Emmanuela Yogolelo, Sarah Yaseen, and Meduulla, is a free, family-friendly live music and spoken word performance created by the award-winning Greater Manchester arts organisation Community Arts North West (CAN) in partnership with Manchester Libraries.
Force of Nature is led by The Song Warriors, accompanied by a six-strong band. The performance features African Agwaya, hip-hop, and spoken word.
Force of Nature connects the global to the local in a conversation about climate change and inequality. Climate change is disproportionately affecting countries in the developing world, including Pakistan, Bangladesh and many African nations.
Performers appearing in Force of Nature have appeared individually at leading venues and festivals, including RNCM, Band On The Wall, the world music festival, WOMAD, the Women of the World Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, and the Leeds and Reading Music festivals. Emmanuela’s many performances include London’s Barbican Centre and South Bank Centre. Hip-hop artist Meduulla was a finalist in BBC’s The Rap Game UK and had her music picked as Track of the Week on BBC 1Xtra Radio.
Meduulla says:
“It’s brilliant to perform Force of Nature in Manchester libraries, taking the climate change message to people and families in the area. CAN has a track record in performing in libraries, and we’ve got library audiences up and dancing before now.”
“Climate change is causing extreme weather, including record temperature, storms, flooding, and droughts. It’s causing food shortages, worsening poverty, and forcing people to leave their homes. It’s estimated that by 2050, 1.2 billion people will have been forced to leave their homes. We need to talk about climate justice.”
The North City Library features Obado, an African community group in North Manchester, with whom Meduulla has worked, and the Longsight performance features women from the Bangladeshi Better We, a community group of Bangladeshi women from the area with whom Sarah Yaseen has worked.
Sarah Yaseen says:
“Our work with local community groups has been an essential element of the project. We can’t wait to showcase the work of Obado and Better We with audiences. It’s been a brilliant experience working with the groups.”
North City Library on Saturday 4th May 2pm – 4pm
Longsight Library and Learning Centre on Saturday 11th May 2pm – 4pm