la kora des griots

La Kora des Griots

Born in Senegal to a family of musicians, storytellers, historians, singers and dancers (collectively known as griots), Sadio Sissokho’s roots are richly embedded in the Mandingue culture. Born in Mali to a large family of griots, Diely Mori Tounkara followed in the footsteps of his musician father by becoming an undisputed master of the kora. […]

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Adam solomon

Adam Solomon

Adam Solomon, known in musical circles as the “professor,” is a respected lead guitarist, composer and singer. He creates a unique sound that combines traditional African blues and jazz, spiced with East African rhythms. Solomon sings in English, Swahili and Mijikenda (the Nine Tribes on the Kenyan coast). He is working on reviving the classic sounds […]

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IZimba arts

IZimba Arts

IZimba Arts is a collective of African performing artists who pursue art as an instrument for community engagement. The group specializes in performances and workshops that include high-energy traditional and urban dances from Southern Africa. 

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Njacko Backo

Njacko Backo’s African Village

Join Njacko and Val Backo to make maracas out of empty tin cans and materials you can find around your home, like the maracas Njacko uses for his band. Then, at 3pm, learn to play and sing some traditional African songs. 

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Dobet Gnahore

Dobet Gnahoré

While Africa has blessed the world with many legendary female artists, Dobet Gnahoré has proven herself to be an extraordinary talent. Hailing from Côte d’Ivoire, she is a virtuosic singer, dancer, percussionist and songwriter who has taken the modern Afropop sounds of her country in exciting new directions.

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Ethio Azmari

Ethio Azmari

The Azmari are skilled at improvisation and play an important role in Ethiopian society, like the griots or praise singers of West Africa. Ethio Azmari features vocalist Sintayehu “Mimi” Zenebe, drummer Bereket Gebrekirstos, dancer Yordanos Behonegn Nuri, masenqo player and vocalist Abebe Fikade. 

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Okavango African orchestra

Okavango African Orchestra

Multiple instruments, languages and countries define Okavango African Orchestra, a JUNO award-winning ensemble of African-born musicians living in Toronto and Montreal. The Okavango African Orchestra brings together the music and instruments of several African cultures to create a common meeting place and new musical language that harmonizes different tuning systems, rhythms and timbres. 

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Gloria Gift Nankunda

Gloria Gift Nankunda and Emanzi Dance Troupe 

Gloria Gift Nankunda is a folk-soul musician based in Toronto. Her soulful voice brings a  euphony of tales and melodies derived from her rich Ankole heritage in Uganda meshed with other African musical influences. 

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Supreme love

Convergence

Set 1: a) Ella Steele & David Lafleur collaboration/(in)sight collaboration (TITDF Commission), b) Film Screening: Trax, by Lisa La Touche   Set 2: Jumaane Taylor’s Supreme Love (Canadian Premiere)  Set one includes our new festival commission: (in)sight – a collaboration between Winnipeg’s Ella Steele and Gatineau’s David Lafleur followed by a screening (excerpt) of Trax – a film […]

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Show called Her

Toronto International Tap Dance Festival

Produced by Toffan Rhythm Projects, presented in partnership with Harbourfront Centre   Legacy – Tradition – Innovation   Experience the best in tap dance and the wide range of how it lives today at this 3-day festival featuring many of North Americas greatest Tap artists in performances, panel discussions and nightly jam sessions where everyone is invited! […]

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