Arusha — All roads are currently leading to Arusha where between September 6 and 12 the International Cultural Diversity Festival will be taking place. The Arusha Times is among the sponsors.

Simona Abdallah the legendary percussionist from Denmark, Mzungu Kichaa from Dar Es Salaam and Jhiko Man from Bagamoyo are among the top stars who have confirmed their participation in the next week's festival.

The event will be staged at both the Arusha National Natural (Boma) Museum and the Via-Via cultural Cafe .

Simona will stage her performance on Saturday, September 11 while both Mzungu Kichaa and Jhiko Man are to sway the audience on Sunday 12th, the closing day of the festival.

The Commonwealth foundation has sponsored groups from Kenya and Uganda. The AICD Festival is organised by the Arusha based, Urithi Platform for Cultural Diversity.

Kenya brings Waza Africa Troupe the group that performed on the East African Community celebrations while Uganda is to stage the hottest dance group called Sosolya Dance academy who also rocked Sauti za Busara in Zanzibar last February.

Ugandan female disco jokey DJ Rachel Kungu together with Kampala based Dj IVO are also to spin their discs at the event.

The Goethe- Institute of Tanzania has sponsored Isack Peter of Lumumba Theatre group from Dar Es Salaam to do a contemporary dance performance known as "Black or White, In or Out" while 'Maya wa Bongo' and 'Ngoma Afrika' from Morogoro are also to make scene during the festival.

Arusha won't be left behind either, a Maasai troupe from Longido, the Yekete beats band, Kibo Sound, the Worriers from the East, Marahaba Generation, Africulture, Jambo Mambo Acrobats, Hakuna Matata, Contageous, Layoli Lia Messina, MS Ngoma Group and many others will be displaying their artistic skills at the Multi-culture festival.

There will be a Forum at Alliance Francaise on Saturday September 11th between 2 and 5 pm which is to be facilitated by Mr. Gwalugano Ayubu from Dar Es Salaam under the theme "Stories of the past, if they will change our tomorrow".

The arts Exhibition by Mwandale Mwanyekwa alias Big Mama, Tatu Hussein and Kaiza Mohammed, will open with a cocktail party on the 6th at Masai Cafe.

Alliance Francaise will also run a workshop on HIV/AIDS for local artists and anybody who would like to participate. The AF also sponsors the performances by Simona Abdallah.

The National Arts Council will also run a workshop on Art Management for local artists.

Other sponsors include, The Arusha Times, National Arts Council, Tanzania Tourist Board, Big Time promotions, Via Via Cultural Cafe, Dar Guide, Ujumbe Ink, Kampala Coach, Caravan Records, The national Natural History Museum, Gano Arts and Radio 5 Arusha.