Africa’s vibrant culture meets Toronto’s pristine waterfront from July 18 to 20, as Harbourfront Centre hosts the inaugural Habari Africa festival. Habari Africa, which means “Hello Africa” in Swahili, will feature a mix of traditional, fusion and emerging music and dance styles performed by musicians based in Canada, as well as international touring groups. Through modern and ancient expressions of stories used across Africa, Harbourfront Centre is pleased to provide Toronto with a truly authentic reflection of modern Africa.
Here are but a few of the many events packed into our three-day celebration of Africa.
Wake Up Madagascar – Friday, July 18, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. on our WestJet Stage
The Wake Up Madagascar tour features Malagasy stars Jaojoby, Razia, Charles Kely and Saramba, supported by an all-star lineup – creating an uplifting celebration of salegy music. With its heart-pounding rhythms, rippling guitars, lush vocal harmonies, bouncy accordion and hip-shaking dance moves, salegy represents the soul and spirit of the “Red Island”. A magical concert experience with a mission: to end illegal logging in the rainforests of Madagascar.
Black Bazar – Friday, July 18, 2014 at 9:30 p.m. on our Redpath Stage
Black Bazar is a musical concept introduced and produced by the writer Alain Mabanckou in 2012 with the support of the label Lusafrica, and managed by Caroline Blache. The first album featured a return to the musical roots of Congolese Rumba. The numerous artists involved in the project were hailed as “the new masters of the African scene in Paris.
Songs of my Mother – Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 8 p.m. on our WestJet Stage
Songs of My Mother concert presents a stellar diversity of voices featuring Tapa Diarra (Mali), Blandine (Democratic Republic of Congo), Ruth Mathiang (South Sudan), Evelyn Mukwedeya (Zimbabwe), Memory Makuri (Zimbabwe) and dancer Mabinty Sylla (Guinea) with a supporting cast of musicians including Diely Mori Tounkara, Kofi Ackah, Adam Solomon, Ebenezer Agyekum, Tichaona Maredza, Ruben Esguerra and Amara Kante. The songs represent a variety of music styles that emanate from several regions of the African continent, and passed down from grandmother to mother to daughter, through the generations.
Evolution – Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 9 p.m. on our Redpath Stage
In the beginning came movement and the movement became “DANCE”. Dance is embedded in African tradition stemming from our cultural heritage and passed down through generations and then shared via migration and technology. This is where traditional movements become part of the contemporary world and our modern life. When life comes full circle, the rhythms from our traditional instruments and ritualistic movements bring praise to our ancestors.
“EVOLUTION” is a 45 minute non-stop traditional, modern, contemporary and tribal dance showcase presented by Ijovudu Dance Company
Emmanuel Jal – Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 10 p.m. on our WestJet Stage
In the war-torn region of Southern Sudan, Emmanuel Jal was born into the life of a child solider on an unknown date in the early 1980s. Through unbelievable struggles, Emmanuel managed to survive and emerge as a recording artist, achieving worldwide acclaim for his unique style of hip hop with its message of peace and reconciliation born out of his personal experiences.
Be it the rhythm and variety of African music or the taste of exquisite African-inspired cuisine, come join Batuki Music Society and Harbourfront Centre for a weekend of exploration and engagement with the art, sounds and tastes of Africa.
Admission is Free
Location: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON
More info click here
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