Community Rhythms and Roots Wales are showcasing six groups representing various cultural and linguistic backgrounds living in Wales using music, dance and poetry to share stories about their communities. Their performance showcase is on Wednesday 9th July at the Globe Stage between 12:00 noon and 4:00pm and then they will be joining the Parade of Nations through the streets of Llangollen at 4:30 pm.
TGP Teulu Dawns Cymru. (Cardiff)
TGP Cymru is a youth group for young people seeking asylum and refugees aged 14-24 that meets weekly in Cardiff. The group aims to help young people develop confidence and resilience and to strive to be “the best they can be”, by offering safe spaces to meet, learn new skills, broaden horizons and opportunities to understand and acclimatise to systems and culture in Wales.
The group represents diverse ethnic backgrounds, including African, Caribbean, South Asian, and Middle Eastern heritages, as well as individuals with multicultural identities. This diversity will serve as a rich foundation for exploring themes of heritage, individuality, and collective experience in their performance.
One World Choir
Promoting empathy and understanding of the issues they face One World Choir has given a voice to asylum seekers and refugees in their new community Their energy, richness and power come from the combination of a sense of close family, shared experiences and a huge range of musical cultures. The choir is life changing, bringing enormous therapeutic and social benefits to its members, providing a powerful model for unity in divided times.
Oasis – Gambas Band.
A four-piece band made up of talented musicians from Eritrea, Gambia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Gambas’ members—Adunia, Baye, Emmy, and Gbo have come together to share their unique blend of cultures and music here in Wales. They’ve become a valued part of the Oasis community, showing how asylum seekers can contribute and enrich our shared experience, bringing new sounds, perspectives, and a spirit of unity to Oasis and beyond. Gambas have played at various community and cultural events, their enthusiasm, dedication, and respect for the music they create and the community they play for has been inspiring. Sharing a message of hope and harmony that resonates with us all.
Samarpan.
Samarpan is a distinguished performing arts organisation based in Cardiff, UK, devoted to preserving and celebrating the timeless beauty of Indian classical arts. Founded in 2017 by esteemed artists and educators Dr. Leena Menon and Dr. Santosh Nair, Samarpan began as a Bharatanatyam dance school offering high-calibre training in this ancient art form. Over the years, it has flourished into a dynamic cultural institution, seamlessly blending the disciplines of dance and music to create a holistic and enriching artistic experience.
Guided by the core pillars of performance, learning, and outreach, Samarpan is dedicated to promoting Indian art and culture across South Wales. Their mission is to provide a nurturing space where creativity flourishes, traditions are cherished, and the joy of artistic expression is shared with diverse communities
EYST Cymru (Wrecsam)
is a unique award-winning organisation that began its journey in 2005. Responding to the needs of the communities they serve; from supporting ethnic minority young people to families and individuals of all ages Wales wide.
Their aim is to provide ethnic minority people with the opportunity to reach their fullest potential through holistic, targeted, and culturally sensitive programmes covering education, employment, health, community safety and cohesion. All underpinned by a vision where everyone can contribute, participate, and thrive in Wales
Balkan Roots Collective
Balkan Roots Collective emerged from this wider vision—a grassroots group uniting individuals from ex-Yugoslavia now living in Wales. Created out of a deep desire to reconnect, share, and celebrate Balkan heritage through dance, music, and storytelling, the group is powered by community spirit, creativity, and the belief that culture builds bridges between generations and across borders.
Between Two Worlds is a vibrant performance blending Balkan music, dance, and storytelling. Through movement and symbolic scenes, it follows a young girl navigating tradition and individuality. Featuring kolo, valcer, live singing, and a powerful finale, it celebrates the cultural richness of ex-Yugoslav communities while embracing unity and change.
Aleksandra Nikolajev Jones is a choreographer, creative producer, and founder of Gravida Collective a female migrant-led arts initiative based in Wales. With roots in Serbia and over two decades of experience across theatre, dance, and community work, Aleksandra specialises in projects that centre creativity, identity, and wellbeing. Her practice brings together storytelling, movement, and participatory performance to foster connection and empowerment, particularly among women and underrepresented groups.
Gravida Collective was established to platform the voices and leadership of migrant and marginalised women through arts, cultural exchange, and community-led production. The Collective works across Wales and internationally, co-creating multimedia projects that explore lived experience, heritage, and collective healing.
Caminhos. (Cardiff)
a collective company of Artists from the Afro-Caribbean diaspora in Cardiff, based In Wales. Founded June Campbell-Davies and Jeferson Lobo working with live music and dance. Drawing influence from Brazil, Grenada and West Africa, they unite Welsh Mythology through story telling with Afro-Brazilian and Caribbean Culture, bringing diverse communities and audiences together.
