Frequently Asked Questions

Below are questions that we thought you might ask / questions that people have asked. We'll keep this updated.

Are there any tickets left?

If we are nearly running out or if we have run out, we'll keep you updated by posting a notice on the Welcome page.

Why can I only do one advance booked workshop?

There will not be space for everyone to do more than one workshop if all the workshops spaces are booked. We have limited the capacity of each workshop.

ABCD is a celebration of West African Music and Dance with the focus being on entertainment and enjoying yourself with friends in a festival atmosphere, rather than doing a full day of workshops. This is an opportunity to experience a day of performances by the many talented musicians, dancers and artists that we have brought together for this special one-day event. There are few events of this kind currently taking place in the UK. Remember also that there are some informal audience participation workshops in the evening.

Can I book more workshops if there are spaces available on the day?

We won't be able to answer this question until the ticket sales and workshop booking are in progress. If we do offer it, there is likely to be an additional fee for doing another workshop.

Why is the capacity of each workshop limited?

Workshops will be limited in size to 25-30 participants depending on the type of workshop. The marquees have a maxiumum capacity and also limiting the numbers makes it easier for participants to learn, hear themselves, teachers to engage with everyone and of course reduce the noise (v. important for drumming!).

How do I know what level I am?

Please read the Booking Form for information.

I am booking into Djembe, will I be able to get into the workshop for my specified level?

Hopefully but we cannot promise. We have a fairly good idea of what the demand is going to be for the different levels. We also have made provision alter the number of some levels if required.

Once capacity is full, we will allocate you a space in the next level down.

If the Djembe workshops are completely booked, you will be allocated into your 2nd choice of workshop.

I am booking into Djembe and I would like a specific teacher.

Djembe teachers will be organised once we know how many workshops of the various levels there are. So you may find you do not get your chosen teacher.

I am attending a workshop and don't have a drum or balafon, will they be provided?

If you are an adult attending a Djembe workshop, you can hire a drum from one of our drum stalls for £3.00. Balafons are provided in the Balafon workshop but please bring one/your own if you have one. The Djembe workshops for children will have drums provided. For the Sabar (Int / Adv level) and Djembe (Intermediate and above) we expect drummers to bring own drums.

I'm booking an "All Day + Workshop" ticket and can't get the form to you by 17th April. Does this mean I can't book a place?

Please try your very best to book by this date to help us and your fellow workshop participants (unless you didn't find out about ABCD till afterwards). We need to see what the uptake is for certain workshops in order to know how many to run - this particularly applies to Djembe. We that know that the workshops will be popular, so we might run out of "All-Day + Workshop" tickets by 17th April. We will post a notice on the Welcome page to keep you updated, especially after 17th April.


My children/child would like to attend the adult workshops, is this possible?

If the workshop is aimed at a specific level, your child will need to be at that level. Adults who have booked a workshop at a particular level will expect everyone to be at that level. It also depends on the individual child and his/her age. The childrens' drumming workshop is 1 hour long. The adult workshops are longer and maybe too long for some children.


I am doing a workshop. Does this mean I'll miss one of the acts performing?

The performances will be continuing throughout the day with breaks for change overs etc. We are programming the entertainment so that where possible if you go immediately back to the Big Barn stage after your workshop, there will be a performance taking place (rather than a break/change over).There will be couple of acts who whose entire 30 - 45min set will be within workshop times.

What are the performance times?

We will publish this information on the day. We have listed which acts are on in the afternoon (from 12.30pm) and evening (from 6.30 until 12am). See the About page for details.

What time is each workshop on?

Those who are booking an All Day + Workshop ticket will be given this information after they have sent their Booking Form in. As mentioned previously we will work out the workshop schedule once we know what the demand is for certain workshops.

I have an under 5 year old. Will you be providing a crèche?

Unfortunately not, providing a crèche at an event of this size is just not viable. If you are bringing any children, you will need to take responsibility for them. There are no workshops for under 5 year olds.

Can I bring a dog?

Sorry no, unless you have a Guide Dog.

Are there any concessionary tickets for low-waged, students, pensioners etc?

We are a non-profit making organisation, run by volunteers and we can only afford to put the event on from the ticket sales at the prices we have set. We hope that most of you will agree that the ticket prices are very good value. Many of you will be self-employed musicians or people studying West African music and dance (as we are ourselves). We have aimed our ticket prices to make this event affordable for these people in particular.

We have a limited number of reduced price for local residents. This is explained on the Booking page.

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