Performance artist Kafayat showcases work in Ireland

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A live performance artist from Bradford, who studied Film and Television at Leeds Trinity University, will headline two events in Ireland this weekend.

Alumna Kafayat Adegoke will perform excerpts from 'Òrìshà' (deity); a live art installation, performed by Kafayat, to embody Osun, the sensual goddess of the Yoruba people of south western Nigeria. She will combine parts of her performance with 12-piece percussion and Jazz band, Boye and Colours Afrobeat, to produce one headline act for the two events.

Kafayat said: "I am yet to work out which parts of my performance will be used for the show, and which will not. I need to wait until we get into rehearsal to see what works best, how the music will complement each part, and how we can combine both elements to create one performance."

Kafayat will travel to Ireland on Thursday 31 October ahead of the first show in Harbor Bay, Brey on Saturday 2 November. The second show takes place in Arthur's Blues and Jazz Club in Dublin on Wednesday 6 November. She will take part in two rehearsals with the band before their first live performance.

"I love this part of the process," added Kafayat. "I'm looking forward to meeting the band and working together to decide what we'll perform. It's exciting."

 Kafayat trained as a theatre artist before moving into artist management. She moved to London many years ago, collaborating on shows at the Royal Albert Hall and Somerset house while being a voice actor for Euro Talk UK, and in 2015, turned the spotlight on herself.

She said: "I decided to go back to my roots and look into performing and theatre work. Alongside my degree, I attended workshops, auditions and photoshoots, and it was in a Television lecture that I had the idea for Òrìshà . I loved the fact that I could perform something linked to my heritage in Nigeria, as well as tackling gender inequality, fertility, love, beauty and growth. I went onto to study a Masters in Stage Performance and first performed Òrìshà at the Bradford Fringe Festival earlier this year."

To support her performance in Ireland this week, Kafayat received £500 from Leeds Trinity University's Inspiring Futures Programme Enterprise Fund.

Phil Williams, Start-Up Business Adviser said: "We're absolutely delighted to support Kafayat with her live performances in Ireland, which is another step towards a full-time career as a combined arts performer. Kafayat is energetic, enthusiastic and dedicated to her performance. We wish her the best of luck in Ireland and look forward to following her progress."

Applications for the Inspiring Futures Programme Enterprise Fund are open until Monday 14 November. 

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