Bariga Open Arts Festival will strengthen community ties – organiser

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The Bariga Artistes Forum (BAF), says the upcoming 2020 edition of the Bariga Open Arts Festival (BOAT)  in Lagos State, will promote arts and culture.
The festival is scheduled to hold from Dec. 11 to Dec. 13.
Mr Anthony Oluwabiyi, Executive Director, Theatre Centrik and the Presiding Chairman of the festival, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
He said that BAF was an assemblage of all theatre practicing companies in Bariga and Oworo who had collaborated  to strengthen community partnerships and expand engagement opportunities.
Oluwabiyi said the festival would  feature performances, activities, health screenings, career awareness, dance, drumming, comedy, street arts, and family entertainment with the theme “Spirit of Communion”.
The executive director added that the festival would open on Dec. 11 with a visit to the Oba of Shomolu/Bariga, Oba Gbolahan Timson, and a seminar at the Bariga local govt, a visit to the Baale of Isale Akoka and a boat regatta.
According to him, Dec.12,  would feature a drum class with Mr Isioma Wlliams, a professional Drummer who will take the lead to instruct about “The Man and the Drum”.
He said that the third day, Dec. 13,  which is the grand finale, would be held at the Crown Art Resource Centre, Lagos with performances by Crown Troupe of Africa, Theatre Centrik and Kings and Queen.
” The event will have the performances of Crown Troupe of Afrika, Theatre Centrik, Kings and Queen, The dream dance, Footprint of David Arts Academy, Ola Black Art, Art Castle, Dynamic Art and Art O Ten and  Starlight ,
” Others are Just Theatre House, Footprints Ambassador, Gothad Bariga Unit, Feetprint Afrika , PIN BCC and many more.
” The event generally stands to promote African culture to the the world as we project the rich cultural values of our dance, drum, music and clothing to the globe.
” We shall make our drum play in honour of the late father of the Vice President of BAF, Mr Olumide Fowode for whom we shall hold a special presentation of respect for on the 13th of December, ” he said.
Oluwabiyi said BAF was an organisation dedicated to creating new opportunities for historically marginalised communities in Bariga.
He noted that the 2020 annual BOAT Festival, anticipated an attendance of more than 7,000 people.
” The annual festival is a platform for Bariga owned theatre businesses to sell their goods and services outside their retail spaces and also promote their indigenous culture.
” In 2019, the festival’s venue saw foot traffic of more than 5,000 people and more than 3,000 individuals made purchases from the festivals with over 15 participating theatre companies.
” We will be having special appearances from Adunni Nefretiti, Ariyike Ajijobata, White Stones Culture Ambassadors and many more.
” We hope to see many Nigerians grace the festival as it promises to be entertaining and educating,” he said.