The London Lucumi Choir

For anyone whose soul needs soothing. For everyone! 

Highfield Trinity Church hosts an immersion in live devotional music from the African diaspora. Plus a guided sonic meditation from Lou Barnell, eclectic vinyl selections from DJ Kalinka and Nepali food.

The London Lucumi Choir is a community ensemble rooted in the Afro-Cuban 'Santeria' religion. Led by Daniela R De Armas, an ordained 'Iyalorisha', or priestess, the choir sings to the Orishas - West African Yoruba deities - accompanied by traditional Afro Cuban bata drumming. Since 2006, they have performed internationally, recorded five albums, and reached the finals of the BBC Choir of the Year competition. Their most recent 2023 album “Iya” - Yoruba for Mother - pays homage to the female Orishas.

"Joyful chanted spirituals complemented by the intricate clattering percussion of the bata drum. They deftly switch tempo, rise and fall in cadence, and swirl in excitable cycles skywards to the heavens... this is genuinely religious music" Ransom Note

Before the choir, the audience will also be invited to participate in a short 'sonic meditation' from vocalist and researcher Lou Barnell. This aims help ready our bodies and minds for listening, and draws from the Deep Listening practice of the late pioneering composer Pauline Oliveros. 

Plus eclectic vinyl selections before and after from DJ Kalinka, founder of Bombotronics collective. 

A delicious vegan Nepalese curry with rice and chutney will be served by local chef Prem for £6 from 7PM, get down early before it runs out!

Don't miss this it's going to be a special one...

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Sanctuary Sessions is a new series of concerts in the nave or 'sanctuary' of Highfield Trinity Church, bringing people together in a community sacred space to experience music that re-connects.