The Wellness Hub hosted a morning of music in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Good Relations Team and peacebuilding arts organisation Beyond Skin in Portrush recently.
Musicians Shayan and Claire from Beyond Skin delighted Portrush residents with performances of songs from around the world, including the Irish favourite Star of the County Down, the Latin American classic Historia de un Amor, and the Zimbabwean song Iwai Nesu.
Participants also had the opportunity to explore and play a variety of traditional instruments from different cultures, including African leather drums, a coconut kalimba, rawhide maracas and a güiro.
The event ended on a high note, with everyone joining together to dance and drum along to music celebrating cultures from across the globe.
Darren Ferguson, Beyond Skin, said: “The science behind music as a cohesive force, with considerable wellbeing attributes, is overwhelming.
“Bringing musicians into a room to ‘vibrate the air’ is significant for every soul, especially when not everyone in the room has the same first language and some are dealing with loss and trauma. This event had music at the centre, with a shared heart of love.”
Sara Glendinning, Good Relations Officer added: “To see people dancing, singing, and drumming to songs that represent a part of their story was a joy to see. The performers from Beyond Skin were so talented, setting the morning apart as a celebration of cultures from West to East.”
This project was supported through the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Good Relations programme, funded by The Executive Office.
Photo: Christine, Portrush volunteer, with 'Beyond Skin' musicians Shayan, Claire and Claudia.