Music Africa

Music Africa's Premier event - Afrofest, now its 21st year.

Location

Queen's Park North

Contact

Phone: (416) 469-5336 / Fax: (905) 873-7700

[email protected]

Web

http://www.musicafrica.org

Mission Statement

Music Africa is a non profit community based organization

dedicated to the promotion of African Music and culture.

AFROFEST 2011

For the first time in its 23 year history, Music Africa was denied a permit by the City of Toronto to host Afrofest in Queen's Park this summer.

The City Department of Parks and Recreation has denied Afrofest a permit to operate in Queen's Park in 2011. The decision is based on minor concerns that have largely been addressed, and the process has been deeply unsatisfactory.

AFROFEST 2009

Music Africa presents Toronto's 21st AFROFEST, a celebration of African music and culture. FREE on Saturday July 11th and Sunday July 12th; at Queen's Park from noon to 10:30 pm. Afrofest is a multi-focus event of song, dance, theatre, food, a marketplace, and activities for youth and children. Featuring traditional and contemporary styles of music by top international touring acts and dozens of African performing groups from across Canada . The festival has grown every year. In 2009, three different outdoor stages will come to life with music and dance. Come to Queen's Park and discover Africa in the heart of Toronto!

Afrofest kick offs its launch party on Friday July 10th with a ticketed concert by Malian rising superstar Vieux Farka Touré. The son of an African musical legend, Vieux’s guitar virtuosity has been compared to Eric Clapton’s. NOT TO BE MISSED!! With opening act Toronto 's highlife kings, Afrofranto. At the Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne Street . Presented in association with Small World Music and Batuki Music. Advanced tickets at Soundscapes ( 572 College Street , Toronto ) or at www.smallworldmusic.com.

Afrofest at Queen’s Park is a showcase of the richness and diversity of African culture. The 21st anniversary celebration is shaping up to be the best ever.

Malian superstar Oumou Sangaré, "the Songbird of Wassoulou," will headline the main stage on Sunday night. She’s toured with Baaba Maal and Femi Kuti, won a UNESCO Prize (in 2001), is a Commander of the Arts and Letters of the Republic of France (1998), and has four highly acclaimed CDs of original songs to her name.

Idy Oulo is a singer-guitarist from Cameroon . Since going solo in 2002 he’s won several prizes international prizes for his songs. Idy’s joyous music touches on several forms of African rhythm music, including makossa, rumba-congolaise and sanza, as well as reggae and singalong dance.

Menwar is a singer-percussionist from Mauritius . One of the pioneers of modern sega music, he plays the ravanne, a large tambourine-like instrument. A constant innovator, Menwar’s been named Artist of the Year by Radio France Internationale.

As always Afrofest will feature a strong national focus. Kemer Yusuf will perform fresh off his triumphant return tour of his native Ethiopia a few months ago. Also confirmed is the dynamic Kwesi Selassie (born in Ghana ), the soulful Valu David (from Angola ), the spellbinding Achilla Orru ( Uganda ), Fojeba and his band of makossa musicians from Central Africa, and magnificent songstress Lorraine Klaasen ( South Africa ).

Enjoy free music workshops at the Baobab Tree Stage and the Youth Zone, which has an expanded program oriented to youth including music theatre and poetry. The popular Babatunde Olatunji drum stage will feature drumming ensembles and teachers, including performance, drum circles and instruction.

For the younger ones there is a Children's Village area, with activities designed to teach and inform about African culture through art and crafts, drumming, and storytelling. With Swizzlestick Theatre, facepainting, stilt workshops for kids, a clay artist, story telling, drumming, dance, and arts & crafts.

The full roster of acts, demonstrations and workshops taking place on the Drum and Baobob Youth Stages will follow shortly.

There is also a dazzling display of authentic African arts, crafts and delicious foods in the bustling African marketplace. Afrofest is the African cultural event of the summer!

Afrofest 2009 will be broadcast live on CIUT, 89.5 FM on both days. CBC Radio will again record some of the performances for future broadcast. In addition, Garvia Bailey's Big City, Small World will be broadcast live from Queen’s Park on Saturday July 11th from 5 to 6 pm.

Music Africa gratefully acknowledges the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage, Celebrate Ontario Cultural Fund, the Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council and TD Canada Trust.

Thanks also to our media co-presenters CIUT, CBC Radio and Planet Africa .

For more information call 416-469-5336, visit www.musicafrica.org or email [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Friday: Afrofest Launch Party – Phoenix Concert Theatre

Vieux Farka Touré

Weekend

Main Stage – Queen’s Park

Oumou Sangaré http://www.myspace.com/oumousangare

Idy Oulo http://www.idyoulo.com/

Menwar http://www.marabi.net/menwar.html

Fojeba http://www.myspace.com/fojeba

Valu David http://www.valudavid..com

Lorraine Klaasen http://www.lorraineklaasen.com

Achilla Orru http://www.achillaorru.com

Umurisho http://www.umurisho.com

Kwesi Selassie http://www.kwesiselassie.com

Kemer Yousef http://www.myspace.com/kemeryousuf

AFROFEST 2008

Queen’s Park July 5th & 6th, LULA Lounge June 5th

Music Africa presents Toronto’s 20th annual Afrofest, a celebration of African music and culture, FREE on Saturday July 5th and Sunday July 6th at Queen's Park North from noon to 10:30 p.m.

Lineup

Afrofest is a multi-disciplinary event with concerts, dance, theatre, food, a marketplace, and activities for youth and children. Traditional and contemporary styles of music by top international touring acts and dozens of African performing groups from across Canada will be seen and heard.

The festival has grown every year, and in 2008, 3 different outdoor stages will come to life with music and dance in this 20th anniversary extravaganza.

Come to Queen's Park and discover Africa in the heart of Toronto!

Afrofest at Queen’s Park North is a showcase of the richness and diversity of African culture and the 20th anniversary celebration is shaping up to be the best ever. Confirmed main stage acts include Ivory Coast singing sensation Dobet G'nahore, Femi Abosede & Culture Force, Donne Roberts, Konyokonyo, Shego Band and Shangaza Performers.

Enjoy free music workshops at the Baobab Tree Stage and the Youth Zone, which has an expanded program oriented to youth including poetry by Anne Marie Woods and Jane Musoke-Nteyafas, dance by Halisi (Congo/Grenada) and Bahli Tesfa (Eritrea) and theatre with two new plays including one entitled "Absolute Democracy" by Seifu Belachew (Ethiopia). Saturday night's Youth Stage feature will be "Stolen From Africa" with performances of conscious hip-hop. For the younger ones there is a Children's Village area, with activities designed to teach and inform about African culture through art and crafts, drumming, and storytelling.

The popular Babatunde Olatunji drum stage will again host many different drumming ensembles and teachers including performance, drum circles and instruction. There is also a dazzling display of authentic African arts, crafts and delicious foods in the bustling African marketplace. Afrofest is the African culture event of the summer!

THE FULL AFROFEST LINE UP WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE LULA LOUNGE (1585 Dundas St. W.) ON THURSDAY JUNE 5th AT 7pm, FOLLOWED BY A CONCERT, PRESENTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH EARTH1 MUSIC FEATURING SOUTH AFRICAN CANADIAN SINGING SENSATION LORRAINE KLAASEN.

Broadcast

Afrofest 2008 will be broadcast from Queen's Park on both days live on CIUT 89.5FM. CBC will again record some of the performances for future broadcast as well as bringing Garvia Bailey's Big City,Small World live from QP on Saturday July 5th from 5pm to 6pm.