NEXT weekend, the Moondance Roots Festival will bring Appalachian bluegrass, Argentinian Tango, a 'pop-up' orchestra, a street Ceilidh and other eclectic musical entertainment to Belfast city centre.
Taking place over two days in Bank Square, the festival's line-up includes the Broken String Band's high-energy Appalachian mountain music, Bal Feirste's French folk music and dance and the Orchestre Des Refugies et Amis.
The latter is comprised of artists with refugee or asylum status who have come together to collaborate and perform through this project run by the charity Beyond Skin.
"The orchestra is a symbol of the type of changing city we live in that Moondance Roots Festival is seeking to reflect," explains event organiser Joby Fox of Folktown CIC, which was set up to regenerate and revitalise the Bank Street, Berry Street, King Street and Castle Street area.
"The Orchestre Des Refugies et Amis reflects a vital and vibrant part of our society and we want to celebrate their talent in this friendly and inclusive festival."
The free family friendly festival will also feature acoustic roots music, artisan food and craft beer, while Belfast playwright Martin Lynch will host a storytelling event with key people from in and around the 'Folktown' area.
:: Full line-up at Folktownbelfast.com
