Members of Rafiki Jazz performing at St Anne’s School in Alderney. (0972664)

ALDERNEY’S schoolchildren have been treated to a barnstorming performance by popular band Rafiki Jazz.

The diverse group of musicians was in the island ahead of the first Collins Stewart World Music Series concert of the year. And during their time at St Anne’s School, they managed to get just about every teacher on stage by the end of a lively 50-minute set.

As well as the teachers, the vast majority of the children, including many visiting from France, also ended up performing. By the end of the show this columnist felt as if he was just about the only person not taking part.

Pint-sized lead singer Mim Suleiman began the show by asking the children if they’d ever seen a woman as small as her. However, size was clearly no barrier for the Tanzanian-born powerhouse, who proceeded to belt out several songs in Swahili.

Midway through the performance, the children were introduced to all the various instruments used by the band. Cath Carr, from Sheffield, outlined how steel pans are made and proceeded to play the EastEnders theme tune. Kadialy Kouyate, from Senegal, detailed the Wolof and Mandinka instruments while Brazil-born Guery Tibirica showed off his berimbau. The Samba star also performed a stunning solo dance, which certainly impressed the crowd.

Towards the end of the set, crowd participation was encouraged and the children and teachers got into the spirit by singing along and clapping to the beat. Then came a fabulous encore, when everyone but a couple of frightened teachers, one of whom complained of a dubious leg injury, made it to the stage.

In the evening the band played the Island Hall to more than 70 people. The performance was every bit as energetic as the school show but didn’t quite end up with the whole crowd involved. However, plenty of people ended the evening dancing and everybody left the concert humming the African-influenced songs they had just heard.

The next Collins Stewart World Music Series concert, in association with the Alderney Music Society, is due to take place next month.

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There are just three weeks to go until the first Bloomin’ Alderney begins and a host of special events have already been organised for the horticultural celebration.

La Vallee Garden Allotments will be open throughout the week-long initiative and will host composting demonstrations from members of the Alderney Wildlife Trust.

As well as that an open day will take place at Kiln Farm, while a special photographic display of the island’s horticultural past will run at Alderney Museum.

Bloomin’ Alderney, which begins on 14 June, has been organised by Donald Hughes and John Beaman, the States member responsible for tourism.

Mr Hughes said: ‘Let’s include everyone in our island in this simple project and really show how beautiful our window boxes, backyards, gardens, allotments and open spaces in town and the countryside can be.’

* Anyone interested in taking part should email marketing@visitalderney.com.