Saturday, October 28 – Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas Street East Toronto, ON M5A 2B7

The Art of Connection and Exchange: Cultural Diversity and Harmony featuring Jbwai, J Nichole Noel, Sonia Aimy and Susan Heaten

Tickets Here

African Women Acting (AWA), celebrating their 10^th anniversary this fall, is set to host The African-Canadian Fusion: a Cross-Cultural Celebration of Art, Music, and Poetry this fall.  On Saturday, October 28 Daniel’s Spectrum, a cultural center on Dundas Street in Regent Park, Toronto, will be transformed into a home of music and other performing arts that celebrate the African diaspora in Canada.

Founded in 2011, AWA is a nonprofit focused on empowering, preserving and promoting women issues and the heritage of African culture through African art. And it’s known for its rocking events, including its long running annual Niagara Festival, which in the waning days of summer this year took over RiverBrink Art Museum in Queenston. One donor paid for 300 tickets, too, so that fans could enjoy the full day, family-friendly program.

The Fall event, meanwhile, will feature Cameroonian Afropop singer Jbwai, spoken word artist and singer J Nichole Noel, Susan Heaten, and Nigerian vocalist Sonia Aimy, who founded AWA back in 2011.

Dabbling in genres including classic rock, reggae and pop, Noel has been performing for over 20 years on stages in Canada, the U.S., Spain, UK and Jamaica. She has recorded three audio CDs as well as published books of poetry and stories for children. Sonia Aimy, or the “Velvety voice of Africa” as she’s called, has released several albums. In 2021, she released the quarantine-era “Reconnect,” a fantastic upbeat meditation on Pan-Africanism which feels out of Fela Kuta’s lab. Though the African diaspora is spread all over the world, the chorus, “reconnect, reconnect, my people… motherland, motherland” is a reminder of an everlasting connection to the African continent. One of several October performers who is truly a Jane of all trades, Aimy also released her film “TRACE: Tracing African Canadian Extraordinaire,” which focuses on the accomplishments of seven African-Canadians making impact in the country.

The October event will feature an Afrobeat selections by DJ Moussa, who has played all around Toronto-area haunts and is sure to keep the party going and people dancing. African-Canadian Fusion will run from 2pm to 5pm. The $50 admission includes food and wine tasting. 

For more information, please contact:

Eric Alper

Publicist  I  Music Commentator  I  Shameless Idealist

647-971-3742

www.ThatEricAlper.com

Eric@ThatEricAlper.com 

http://www.Twitter.com/ThatEricAlper

http://www.Facebook.com/EricAlperPR

http://www.Instagram.com/ThatEricAlper

“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 14^th 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 14^th 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 90^th (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.   

“Learn about how African Canadian artists can access gigs in Africa and Canada”

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.

REGISTER HERE: smarturl.it/awapanel

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.

Panelists and Discussion Highlights:

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.