CaribbeanTales Newsletter: AfroFest - Print Friendly Version

AfroFest

Africa's rhythm ambassadors ignite the stage

By Tumelo E. Phali | Posted: August 01, 2005

Once again, “Afrofest”, the premier African cultural event in Canada steamed through with spectacular performances on the weekend of July 9 and July 10.

Created in 1989 as a commercial venture under Highlife World to showcase music from Ghana and Nigeria, the annual “sounds from Africa” event is still going strong with steady growth each year. After Music Africa took it under its wings and flew it to greater heights a year after its inception, Afrofest is now Music Africa’s highest ranking and most loved annual event boasting over 20 000 attendants!

Opened by Dr. Modesto Amegago, director of the Southern Volta Association Cultural Group, a multitude of Africans from all walks of life gathered and mingled in the intimate setting of a special village in Queens Park, where African cultures were celebrated through energetic song and stunning dance performances on the main stage.

Southern Volta Association Cultural Group, a music group made up largely of academics and artists, launched the first performance of the day and thrilled crowds with Ewe culture dance themes. Nouvel Expose’ took over the stage afterwards dishing out a ‘cocktail’ dance routine which was a mixture of Ethiopian, Egyptian, West African, Congolese and Hip-hop dances.

There were equally brilliant performances by Moto, Congolese comedian-cum-singer from Kapia du Congo, who wowed the audience with his amazing tricks with a bicycle wheel; Nigerian star Sir Shina Peters, he of the “Shinamania” a unique mix of Fuji and thumping Afro beat in the early 1990’s, hopped on to the already lively stage with Nigerian-Canadian Yinka Farinde and their band, an enchantment for the audience who relished the collective’s form of Afro-juju music and moves.

Off the stage the scene was equally colourful as ‘Africanism’ was commemorated through crafts, music CD’s, African cuisine, jewelry, clothing, drums, sculptures, crafts including vivid beadwork, masks and various forms of inventive art laid out for everybody’s enjoyment and purchase at the African Marketplace while the drum never stopped beating at the Olantunji Drum Stage created for drummers. Children’s Village offered a perfect all-day fun-filled distraction for the little ones, who enjoyed face painting, parades and listening to stories at the park.

Togolese King Mensah, an impressive two-time Best Traditional African Artist Kora Award winner and the musical messenger of world peace and hope, rang down the curtains on the show with his usual splendor. Known as “The Golden Voice of Togo”, Mensah lived up to his majestic title, captivating the audience with spellbinding voice ranges and calculated dance poses that had the audience clamoring for more as some were invited to share the stage and blend into an abstract song and dance picture - a perfect way to end the first show – in good Music Africa style!

On Sunday the perfect weather was an auspicious sign of good things to come the way of enthusiasts in African music and culture - another day to sample the sounds and tastes of Africa.

The Sunday line-up highlights were Campoeira, (a spectacular Brasilian art-form that combines martial arts with acrobatics, music and dance and a powerful liberating art form during slavery in Southern America.) Allokomi, a family group from Montreal, boasted the budding talent of a young drummer in his early teens. There was Faduma Nkrumah from Somalia, Rwandan Mighty Popo and of course, Zimbabwean guitar maestro, Oliver Mtukudzi who serenaded the crowds with his evocative “tuku” tunes.

The festival closed around ten, with the unquenchable revelers calling for more – but one thing is for sure, this year’s 17th Afrofest celebration provided them yet another fun and memorable event whose return they can’t wait for.

Comments

Great website!

Please provide me with the contact for the organizer of the Afro Fest or other African/Caribbean events bookings. A dance group from Kenya is interested in performing in the various events happening in Toronto throughout the year and particulary the Afro Fest. How would I go about booking them for the events?

Thank you.

Posted by: Emma fisk at February 21, 2006 03:17 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 20, 2006
AFRICA NEW MUSIC is pleased to present WINTER FESTIVAL BANA
Y’AFRICA, a Celebration of Black History Month featuring
live performances by Showdo Mana Congolese Soukous Band,
Jean Batispte Fojeba and Tamzir Seck African Traditional
Troupe from Senegal on Friday February 24th, 2006 at Tranzac
,
292 Brunswick Ave. from 9 PM – 2 AM.
In addition to mouth-watering African food, the evening will
have musical and dance performances by amazingly talented
artists. Showdo Man, will heat it up with their Soukous and
N’Dombolo music and dance direct from the heart of the
Democratic Republic of Congo. Jean Batispte Fojeba,
Cameroonian singer songwriter, amazes us with his original
guitarist style.Enroored in the African folk music, his
style is also influenced by pop and jazz, will present its
great performances. Tamzir Seck from Senegalese Ballet will
be tantalizing with its showcase of folk music and dance
from Senegal. The host, Africa New Music, is responsible
for entertaining Toronto the African way with its Summer and
Winter Festival Bana y’Africa at which many local and
international artists are featured.
At a ticket price of just $10, WINTER FESTIVAL BANA
Y’AFRICA is guaranteed to be a night of marvelous African
food and jamming. Everyone is invited!
Date: Friday, February 24, 2006
Location: Tranzac, 292 Brunswick Ave (Bathrust St & Bloor
St West)
Time: 9:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Tickets: $10
Info: 416.289 3040

Posted by: Arthur Ntongo at January 31, 2006 01:03 AM

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