From the 29th July – 2 August 2015 Tribe of Doris takes to the countryside with drums, musical instruments and teachers. Over the course of these days all are invited to learn, participate and exchange in the artistic wealth of cultures from around the world. Since 1991 Tribe of Doris have been hosting their trailblazing, eclectic and culturally diverse gatherings, attracting people of all generations. At Doris everyone has a place around the campfire. Set in the heart of the English countryside, their annual Main Event brings Caribbean, African, Asian, British, European and South American artists together to meet, make music and share.

Often mistaken for a mini-WOMAD, the emphasis at Tribe of Doris is very much about taking part – from learning and performing, to being a core part of running the event.  The main Tribe of Doris event is now staged in the grounds of Stanford Hall, a stately home in Lutterworth, Leicestershire , where the pre Roman  ancient British tribe , The Coritani , once dwelt– only an hour away from Birmingham and London and two hours from Bristol.

From its early incarnation the drum has been the central focus of the event – a ground-breaking move conceived by co-founder Deasy Bamford. She quickly realized that by placing African artists at the centre, it gave them the platform to showcase and celebrate their skills and passion in a way that highlighted its value in new settings. Dance and song quickly followed providing a complementary synergy of experience – both for performers and for Doris attendees.

Participants of all ages come from across the UK and all over the world returning to Doris every year for almost 25 years. Children have been born and grown up in this mixed heritage tribe, where no one feels segregated and everyone belongs.  At the heart of Tribe of Doris are the principles of cultural learning, sharing and appreciation with an emphasis on total immersion – messages that the young people have taken with them into the rest of their lives.  Over the years these children have grown up, the young people have matured, some now joining the delivery team, helping to steer the organisation, contributing to the coordination, artistic direction, promotion, communications and fundraising.

And why do they come? Because they know they will find recognition in the joy and rhythm of the drum; the challenge of learning a complex tune or refreshing their dance technique; in the knowledge that for five days, children of all ages, novice or old timer will be supported and nurtured in a safe and inspiring place. A space where grandmothers and mothers, grandfathers and fathers can unwind and inhabit a space in England where freedom and cultural sharing is generated, celebrated and expressed in a way that is rarely encouraged these days.