Shkembe Soup is a troupe of 10 musicians, dancers and singers from the four corners. We perform a mixture of songs and rhythms which will delight and fascinate. We create an atmosphere where everyone can join in. See our Facebook page called Shkembe Soup to hear our sound and see pictures.

Our songs come from the ghettos of 10th century Morocco to modern day Stoke-on-Trent via the Russian taverns of 1920s Paris. Some songs are well known and some are hidden gems. We love songs of hope, anguish, aching nostalgia and cattle herding.

Our dancers are much admired for their unique swirling costumes. Hand-made items of vintage braid and coins are brought together with sumptuous satin skirts to stunning effect. The dancers draw influences from folkloric costume as well as from artists such as Alphonse Mucha, Etienne Dinet and Muhammed Racim.

The musicians and singers play a mixture of guitars, trumpets, djembe drums, the violin and more. Their sound takes you to places and times near and far. An audience member said "it was like when you're new to a country and not quite sure what's going on - but you like it".

Shkembe Soup play, sing and dance at festivals and cabaret events. We have hosted evenings and performed sets alongside other artists.

We play East End venues like The Jamboree, Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, Lumiere, The Jago. Festivals include Hackney Wicked, and we are favourites at lots of events in Victoria Park (on land and water.

The organisers of the Dance Around the World Annual Festival, Cecil Sharpe House, Camden said -

"We were enormously impressed by the astonishingly high standard of dancing at the festival. Many festival visitors have already commented to the same effect. Shkembe Soup’s beautiful, elegant and absorbing performance was hugely enjoyed by the audience. Your popular workshop was also extremely well received and much enjoyed by all the participants." - Anne Leach On behalf of the organisers Dance Around The World Festival, Cecil Sharpe House, London.