Jewish singer songwriter Mickey Van Gelder performs alongside oud-player Awad Absin in Abraham's Children at St Mary's Church, Church Lane, Prestwich.

The event, in conjunction with Prestwich Concert Series, is part of a developing festival supported by the National Lottery.

The initiative has twin aims of providing a platform for professional musicians and dancers from diverse communities of Manchester and Salford to present world music acts in the north west.

A variety of events will take place at venues across Manchester until May 20.

"I will be performing Yiddish folk songs and ones with a Jewish connection such as by Irving Berlin and George Gershwin," said guitarist Mickey, who lives in Gatley, Cheshire.

The Londoner, who performed at the Royal Exchange Theatre earlier this year, added: "These types of events are definitely worthwhile. I'm very proud to be taking part in a cultural collage.

"It's nice that Yiddish songs have found their place in world music. Arabic and Jewish music compliment each other, which is why we called it Abraham's Children.

"Awad is from Sudan and plays really nice music. It should be a great event having two sides together."

Mickey, who also plays blues in a band, is waiting to hear whether he is taking part in a world music jam session on Monday.

The festival is a development project of Lingua Franca World Music Community, a volunteer-led company with the social aim of uniting the diverse cultures of Manchester and Salford through world music.

Tickets: Email white548@btinternet.com or telephone 07980 092311