Its WOMAD weekend!

WOMAD stands for World of Music, Arts and Dance, expressing the central aim of the festival - to bring together and to celebrate many forms of music, arts and dance from countries and cultures all over the world. The festival was inspired by Peter Gabriel and led to the first concert in 1982 since when there has been 145 events in 22 countries.

A great day with some outstanding acts played at the Reading site this weekend. Womad proved itself to be a well organized event with a wonderful atmosphere encompassing people of every age group. There's no better way to spend a festival than carefully planning your gastronomic journey through the huge variety of food stalls in between world class "must see" acts. Womad certainly doesn't disapoint in this we managed a meal about every two hours on average! Mexican, Japanese, Caribbean and some very unique combinations - Thai Pie! The array of handicrafts available drives even the least acquisitive shopper into a frenzy. I left with a five person hammock, a juice press made out of old engine parts (perfect for margarita's) and a very large "festival" cushion!

The highlights

Amongst some great and diverse music that can be experienced as you drift around the festival there were many outstanding acts however two of the best for me were Anoushka Shankar and Amaan & Ayaan Ali Khan.

Anoushka Shankar, daughter of the legendary sitar virtuoso and composer, Ravi Shankar was the big hit of the first day. Anoushka played an outstanding late night performance to the biggest Womad audience of the day, dazzling everyone with the amazing sound of her compositions and the sight of her fingers flying along the long neck of her sitar with her lightning quick fretwork.

Amaan & Ayaan Ali Khan presenters for Zee TV and sons of the Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan demonstrated their mastery of this classical instrument in a fascinating workshop with the rest of their group, each artist showing their individual abilities as well as combined pieces which showed why they are superstars in their own country.

After a full day I've sated most of my senses and left full of spicy burrito and aiming for the full weekend pass for next year!