Series Season: 2022
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. […]
Read more »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 […]
Read more »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.
Read more »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.
Read more »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.
Read more »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.
Read more »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.
Read more »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.
Read more »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 […]
Read more »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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