Hi, I'm Lucky Lartey,

AN INDEPENDENT DANCER AND CHOREOGRAPHER FROM GHANA NOW BASED IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA. I AM THE FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE TUUMATU FESTIVAL.

TUUMATU is a unique community run Festival I founded and launched in December 2014 in James Town, Accra, Ghana. The Festival aims to bring people together across the generations to reinvigorate the learning and playing of childhood games and reconnect people to their history and culture. It also provides an opportunity to showcase the vibrant local talent of the James Town community and expose locals to international performing arts.  

The Festival is fast becoming one of the highlights of the arts calendar in Accra with thousands of locals attending as well as many tuning in beyond Ghana's borders via Facebook and YouTube. The 2014 and 2015 Festivals attracted the attendance of approximately 5000 people from both within and outside the James Town community. Past Festivals have included activities such as: Toy-making workshops using traditional techniques with found and recyclable objects encouraging the idea of sustainability; Playing games such as hopscotch; Making and flying kites; and also creating a platform for local and international artists to showcase innovative performances. 

         MUSIC - DANCE - ACROBATICS - CREATIVITY - SUSTAINIBILITY - COMMUNITY - CULTURE

In December 2016, the James Town community will again showcase its diverse talents and celebrate its creativity over three days (16th to 18th). Day One will focus on bringing artists together to exchange ideas and dance styles. Day Two will focus on reinvigorating childhood games and creating toys with recycled materials, with market stalls and performances. Day Three will offer an evening program bringing artists and performers together in a showcase of local and international talent to present unique and innovative performances.

The last two Festivals were privately funded by the TUUMATU Creativity Festival Committee - a team of independent artists from Accra. As the Festival is growing bigger so are our costs. The Festival is free for all participants and we do not currently receive funding. 

Read about the success of TUUMATU 2015:

http://artsghana.org/tuumatu-festival-exposes-raw-talent-in-james-town/

FOR THE FAST APPROACHING TUUMATU FESTIVAL 2016, LUCKY AND THE TUUMATU COMMITTEE ARE CALLING ON YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO HELP MAKE THIS VIBRANT LOCAL FESTIVAL A SUCCESS. 

Any amount you can conbritube to our campaign will be greatly appreciated.

And we have great rewards that will arrive to you in time for Christmas presents.

About Lucky Lartey, Festival Director & Founder

(highlights of my achievements and works)

"Lucky brings a unique perspective to his dance practice as he draws from his traditional culture while navigating the field of contemporary dance and performance."

October 2016 - Recipient of two AAMMA AWARDS for Performance and Choreography. 

(The AAMMA Awards celebrate African Australian Entertainers , fashion designers, models and outstanding citizens. African Entertainers in the Diaspora and the mother continent (Africa) are also celebrated alongside friends of Africa). Lucky was also the recipient of the Awards in 2013 and 2015.

September 2016 - Recipient of the 2016 Keith Bain Choreographic Travel Fellowship, Sydney Australia.

Some of my work in Australia, Ghana and India:

http://www.luckylartey.com.au/choreography

I also conduct dance classes for both adults and school children.

http://www.luckyafricandance.com.au/

Stay in touch

Follow us on our website: 

http://www.luckylartey.com.au/tuumatu-festival

Join our mailing list: 

http://www.luckylartey.com.au/contact

Follow us on Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/TuumatuFest/

LUCKY AND THE TUUMATU CREATIVITY FESTIVAL COMMITTEE THANK YOU FOR BEING AWESOME!!!

The TUUMATU Festival Committee needs your support to help make this vibrant, local Festival happen in 2016. The Festival is free of charge for the participants and are costs are mounting. $15000 is the bare minimum we need to make it happen.

The funds will be used to contribute to:

• Flights, accommodation and transport for our International Artists
• Buy supplies (materials for the festival proceedings)
• Hire of a stage, sound system, lighting, tents, props and a truck
• Pay for the transport of school children to the Festival
• Pay our local performing artists
• Promotion: such as, posters, t-shirts
• Hire of photographer and videographer
• Administration, Pozible rewards and fees.

IF WE GO ABOVE OUR 15K TARGET, WE WILL PUT THE EXTRA FUNDS TOWARDS THE MAKING OF A DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASING THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE THREE FESTIVALS.

Our biggest challenge is to make TUUMATU sustainable so it can continue to be free of charge to local participants. As the Festival is growing bigger each year, so are our costs. Art projects are underfunded in Ghana and we do not currently benefit from grants or sponsorships. 

We have been successful in presenting the last two festivals without external funding. But for TUUMATU 2016 to happen, we are still looking for $15000 to go towards our costs. We are counting on your generosity to assist us via this wonderful platform. 

We ask you to please pledge to our crowdfunding campaign to continue to make this Festival FREE and sustainable. Every contribution helps, no matter how big or small!

We also welcome enquiries from businesses and/or people who might be interested in becoming sponsors.