Balimaya Project was formed in 2019 by percussionist Yahael Camara Onono, a second generation Londoner whose rich West African musical heritage, coupled with his musical experiences in the UK, inspired him to bridge the gap between the diaspora and West Africa.
This group is built on the foundation of forging musical and cultural ties, from a place of integrity, authenticity and inspiration. Balimaya uses the repertoire of the Mande peoples of Senegal and Mali as the bridge to bring the folkloric West African music, together with Jazz and the sounds of Black London, to create something different.
The word Balimaya is a word from the Maninka language that means the essence of kinship. In Mande society, the ideology of kinship is engrained in the moral fabric of its people. Family ties aren’t just limited to blood relations. The concept of extended family created by marriage, cousinage, shared history within ethnicities and deeds done for one another is complex, but shared and adhered to with great pride. This extended family model is what inspires Balimaya’s repertoire and mission.
If you would like to sit together, please book together, as this allows us to assign each booking a socially distanced space. This performance will take place on the Tea Lawn at the back of Lauderdale House. Chairs will not be provided so please bring either a picnic blanket or a chair to make yourself comfortable. Audience members with chairs will be seated behind those on the ground to make sure that everyone has a good view. If you are booking as a group, the whole group will need to be on chairs or on blankets, rather than a mixture of the two. We do also have a limited number of picnic tables and benches (see map below) available as group tickets – book these early to avoid disappointment. If you have a disability or any special requirements please get in touch with us.
Weather
The performance will continue regardless of the weather unless unsafe. Please plan for all eventualities and remember to bring a waterproof layer and a warm jumper. We prefer waterproofs to umbrellas because umbrellas can obstruct views. Don’t forget that if you are on a blanket the ground may be wet so make sure you have a blanket with a waterproof side or bring aplastic sheet. There are no refunds for shows cancelled due to the weather.
Food and Drink
The cafe/bar will be open selling light snacks and drinks before the performance starts and during the interval. You can pre-order food and drinks for collection on the night here. Please select the date of the event and the time you wish the food/drinks to be collected. For this event you can pre-order food/drinks for before the event (select any slot out of 18:30 / 18:45 / 19:00 / 19:15) or for the interval (select the 20:00 – 20:15 slot). Check out the delicious homemade picnic ‘grazing boxes’ – but book soon as these are only available if ordered in advance. Please note that hot drinks cannot be pre-ordered but will be available from the bar. You are also welcome to bring your own picnic to enjoy on the Tea Lawn as you watch the performance.
COVID-19 Precautions
We want to ensure that audience members feel safe and comfortable. We will monitor changes, if any, to government guidelines in the run up to the event. Our current precautions and plans are below.
On arrival we will:
- Check temperatures. Anyone with a high temperature will not be admitted along with anyone in their household or 'bubble'.
- Ask everyone to register for track and trace - via the QR code or entering details in our file.
- Ask everyone to sanitise their hands.
We also ask that:
- Audience members to stay 2 metres from people outside their ‘bubble’ or household where possible (and otherwise no less than 1 metre).
- Audience members bring a face covering along with them for use indoors (when using the café or toilets).
- Audience members keep a distance when/if queuing for the toilets and cafe and follow good hygiene and hand washing regimes. Soap and disinfectant sprays are available for your use. Be careful and considerate.
