TRACE is a documentary and celebratory project aiming to recognize the work and efforts of seven Black Canadians in diverse sectors including business, entrepreneur, academic, arts and culture, history and philanthropy, as well as front-line workers and more, who have impacted the community with their great accomplishments.
The documentary was executive produced by African Women Acting (AWA) & Saimy’s Art, and produced and directed by Sonia Aimy, and co-produced by Kennedy Seed Obioha following seven TRACE Honourees:
Rustum Southwell – Nova Scotia – Impactor of Black Business In Canada. Empowering Black Business Initiatives in Canada
Rosemary Sadlier – Toronto – Custodian of Black History
Charlene-Rokhaya Jaye – Montreal – Advocate for Women Empowerment & Digital Technology.
Tunde Dawodu– Calgary – Visionary & Promoter of African Culture & Heritage In Calgary Alberta
Adonis Huggins – Toronto – Community Leader & Advocate for The Development Of Younger Generation
Renee’ Rankine – London – Advocate to End Gun Violence & Visual Artist
Naila Keleta-Mae – University of Waterloo- A Professor & Founder of Black And Free/artist.
All honourees will be in attendance and available for media interviews in advance and on-site
Event Schedule:
4pm – Doors
5pm – VIP Photo Op
6pm – Meet & Greet
7pm – Entertainment
8pm – TRACE Screening
9pm – Q&A
10pm – End of Program
In addition to the film, “TRACE (Tracing Rare African Canadian Extraordinaire)”, the new single from Sonia Aimy, was written and recorded as the theme song for the documentary. The inspiration for the song comes from the TRACE project itself–the desire to discover true role models who do a lot for their community but do not boast about their actions. The afrobeat genre at its core follows a similar principle; allow the instrumentals to speak to the narrative while the vocals are simply an added flourish. “It inspired me to focus on the musical arrangement that will balance the TRACE beautiful narratives”, says Sonia.
Pre-save here and stream/download “TRACE (Tracing Rare African Canadian Extraordinaire)”, available on all major streaming platforms, February 17th, 2023.
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Stream Sonia Aimy’s music:
“MIRIAM MAKEBA COMMEMORATIVE DAY – NOVEMBER 9, 2008 – NOVEMBER 9, 2022”
MIRIAM MAKEBA FEATURED ON NEW SONGS
South Africa, Africa and the world over, hereby acknowledge and recognize the 14th year Commemoration of the passing of Humanitarian and Musical Icon Mama Miriam Makeba; in Honor and Remembrance of the late Her Excellency Goodwill Ambassador Dr. Miriam Makeba.
Dr. Miriam Makeba sadly passed away on November 9, 2008.
Today, Wednesday, November 9, 2022, signifies the 14th year commemoration of the passing of one of the most iconic Africans the world has ever witnessed; the Legendary Songstress, Humanitarian and Goodwill Ambassador, Dr. Miriam Makeba.
As we reminiscence on the memory and contributions of “Mama Africa”, we seek to achieve, and reach out to All who loved her, from all over the world to emulate what came so easily to the legendary late Dr. Miriam Makeba. Specifically, that is to reach out to one another, and remember that the way she lived her life was a testament as to how we should all live our lives; by treating each other with respect and the love that resides so deep in all our hearts, and be kind to one another, as well as being kind to ourselves, and make this world a better place. “We love you always Mama Africa, Rest in Peace – Lala Ngoxolo”; says the Miriam Makeba Foundation.
This current year 2022, also coincides with the 90th (Birthday) Anniversary Celebrations; Miriam Makeba – Mama Africa would have been 90 years old this year on March 4, 2022. She was born on March 4, 1932.
This year, in tribute to and memory of the legendary songstress and humanitarian, United Kingdom, London based musical duo/group named lavender have dedicated their brand-new single/song entitled “First Bagel Of The Night” Featuring Miriam Makeba.
United Kingdom artist/producer, Ntantu, this year re-launched and dedicated his new single/song entitled “Far Away” Featuring Miriam Makeba.
The Commemorative Day not only pays tribute to one of the world’s most iconic Africans, but also to her immense contribution as a humanitarian and Goodwill Ambassador.
The Miriam Makeba Foundation annually acknowledges this aforesaid significant date November 9 as “Miriam Makeba Commemorative Day”. Ms. Makeba was Africa’s first Grammy Award winner and much-loved icon who performed to acclaim around the world while spreading her humanitarian message.
UK musical duo/group lavender on their new single/song “First Bagel Of The Night” have developed a signature sound based on Trip-Hop, Soul, Trap, music, Hip Hop, Jazz and Lounge; and, on single “First Bagel Of The Night” a Miriam Makeba vocal sample is from a song entitled “A Promise” by Miriam Makeba; written and composed by legendary South African songwriter, arranger & producer Caiphus Semenya.
OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO LINK:
Lavender – Listening link to single and EP for all major platforms listen to it here!!
UK rapper and producer, Ntantu has developed a signature sound based on Afropop, RnB, Dancehall and Rap and, on single “Far Away”, the Miriam Makeba vocal sample is from a song entitled “BaxabeneOxamu” originally titled “Oxgam”. The particular recording of “BaxabeneOxamu”, was from a Swedish televised interview in 1965 in which Miriam Makeba performed live. This was written by another legendary South African artist, Letta Mbulu.
The “Far Away” single by Ntantu featuring Miriam Makeba is now out on all major streaming and digital platforms.
Please see links below for the music video and listening links:
Official music video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfakA9QPW4E
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/2uuo2wpY1M5WQWkWMSJnyl?si=bdbcea66818c4271
Listening link for all major platforms: https://hypeddit.com/link/6akea1
© 2022 Courtesy of Miriam Makeba Foundation.
The African Women Acting organization is set to celebrate the best of African music, crafts, vendors, and more with the return of their annual AWA Niagara Falls Festival this September 3rd & 4th.
The two-day Festival features an action-packed schedule of highly-curated and award-winning music, dance, and spoken word artists alongside incredible arts and crafts exhibitions, interactive workshops, storytelling, and delicious authentic African, Caribbean, and Canadian food vendors — all under one sky at the beautiful Oakes Garden Theatre.
The lineup includes Lorraine Klaasen Music concert (South Africa), Amadou Kienou – Drumming Concert (Burkina Faso) J Nichole Noel – Music and Poetry (Jamaica), Roula Said – Arabic Music (Iran) Nikki Clarke Gospel music – (Jamaican), Waleed Adulhadim Ft. Savannah Tailor African Music (Sudan), Maju Maju African Music ( South Africa), Sammy Jackson Jazz music (African Canadian) Rick Rose and Native group special guest, Exclusive Connection – Afrobeat (Nigeria), DJ Moussa Kante (Ivory Coast), JBWAI – AFROBEAT (Cameroon) and more. The Festival ends each evening with the Fireworks at 10 pm.
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
“We’re proud to present talented, hard-working, resilient artists who demonstrate tremendous effort in pursuing their artistic visions and careers”
African Women Acting is a pan-African not-for-profit organization geared towards promoting women’s issues and empowering, mentoring, coaching, presenting, and promoting upcoming and mid-career women artists of African heritage. AWA also endeavors to increase the public understanding and appreciation of African traditional and contemporary arts through artistic production such as music, theatre, spoken word, digital media art, visual arts, movie screenings, the AWA Festival, and more.
Marking its second year, the AWA Niagara Falls Festival is proudly funded by the Niagara Falls – Cultural Development Fund.
We acknowledge the support of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation with funding provided by the Government of Canada.
Niagara Falls, ON (June 25, 2022) – The grand opening/fundraiser of AWA new branch location in Downtown Niagara Falls the “AWA Niagara African Cultural Space” 4337 Queen Street Niagara Falls on Saturday June 25, 2022, 4pm – 9pm. This will be our very first opening in Niagara Falls as we are primarily located in Toronto. The AWANACS was conceived by visionaries leading AWA among whom are skilled, hard-working African women, who have demonstrated tremendous effort in pursuing their artistic visions, careers, and social/political/economical activism in the sector. The Space will encourage learning about the rich African cultural heritage, coach, workshop, and present talents through all year-round programming for the community and artists with inclusiveness of other counterparts. Further, the space will also serve for community rentals for private events, smart office and gatherings that are inline with AWA’s vision.
The launching offers a day action-packed schedule including special guest speakers among dignitaries, local politicians, community leaders, artists, and the public. The event by RSVP only, is enriched by well curated arts exhibition, exciting crafts and products for silent auction, raffle draw, entertainment by new and professional artists and delicious authentic African food and AWA brand of African cookies.
Join us in the opening celebration of AWA Niagara African Cultural Space and join us as we raise money to support our activities!
Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/launchingfundraising-awa-niagara-african-cultural-space-tickets-349932175557
ABOUT US: AWA is a pan-African not-for-profit organization geared towards promoting women’s issues, empowering, mentoring, coaching, presenting, and promoting upcoming and mid-career women artists of African heritage. AWA also intend to increase the public understanding and appreciation of African traditional and contemporary arts through artistic production i.e., music, theatre, spoken word, digital media art, visual-arts, movie screening and the AWA Festival. Our priority as AWA is focused on women but we as well collaborate with other gender and ethnic group’s counterparts.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/africanwomenacting
Twitter: @awafesttoronto | Instagram: @awafesttoronto| YouTube: African Women Acting – YouTube
For more information, participation, partnership, or inquiries please email: program@africanwomenacting.org |Tel: 437-988-7456
A special thank you to Black Business Initiative BBI and @ESDC_GC for the support with our strategic and business plan.
Join us in the opening celebration of AWA Niagara African Cultural Space and support us as we raise money to sustain our activities!
Entertainment by new and professional artists JBWAI, PROPHECY, Nikki Clarke, J Nichole Noel, visual arts exhibitions, refreshments, and silent auctions.
The Panel discussion African Music and Poetry/Storytelling Export “Learn about how African Canadian artists can access gigs in Africa and Canada” is made accessible to artists, arts organizations, and stakeholders in the sector for #FREE on Thursday August 26th at 3pm – 4.30 p.m. Eastern Time.
The panel was created in response to overriding obstacles in the export of music by African musicians and singers in Canada.
Guest speakers are experts in the entertainment industry including Lucy Ilado, Jahman Anikulapo, Alex Boicel, Doug Cox and Sonia Aimy.
Lucy Ilado – Music Journalist, Artistic Rights Activist and Researcher at Music in Africa (Kenya)“Booking gigs and international collaborations and partnership”
Alex Boicel – Artist Manager and Presenter at Afro Mondo (Senegal) “Securing international gigs, a booking agent” Jahman Oladejo Anikulapo – Culture Curator, Producer, Communicator; Exec. Prog Director, *Culture Advocates Caucus, CAC*; Prog. Chair, *Committee for Relevant Art, CORA* &; Director *Lagos Book & Arts Festival, LABAF*”Gig opportunities in Africa”
Jahman Oladejo Anikulapo – Culture Curator, Producer, Communicator; Exec. Prog Director, Culture Advocates Caucus, CAC*; Prog. Chair, Committee for Relevant Art, CORA &; Director Lagos Book & Arts Festival, LABAF* “Performance opportunities in Africa”
Doug Cox – Musician, Festival Presenter at Vancouver Island MusicFest (Canada)“Gig opportunities in Canada”
Sonia Aimy – Songwriter/Singer/Actress/Cultural Advocate and Founder at African Women Acting AWA (Canada) “Tips about Accessing funding for producing new work and touring”
There will be entertainment by Amai Kuda, Lamoi and Sonia Aimy which will be screened during the panel for a maximum 10 minutes each for music and 5 minutes for poetry.
AWA is a Pan-African non-profit organization that produces multi-disciplinary art promoting and introducing African artistic expression within the Greater Toronto Area, Niagara Region and beyond, while engaging local youths and adults. AWA’s goal is to work with upcoming and professional African female artists who practice music, dance, theatre, spoken word, film making, literary art, visual art, and multi-media art through mentorship programs and other professional development initiatives and the AWA Festival.
This project is proudly funded by Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada and Ontario Arts Council – Conseil des arts de l’Ontario.