TORONTO, ON (January 28) – Harbourfront Centre is pleased to present its second edition of the Habari Africa festival (Aug 14–16), in partnership with Batuki Music Society. This three-day festival celebrates the diversity of African culture with the finest talent from across the continent. Listen to music, watch a film or dance production, experience visual arts, create crafts and join in one of our worldly workshops. Habari Africa has something for every artistic craving.
“This year for Habari Africa we wanted to emphasize the theme of new voices of African artists here in Canada and explore the changing styles of music, dance, and other art forms,” says Nadine McNulty, artistic director of Batuki Music. “Musicians have brought together the flavours of African music with North American sounds to create a new vibrant voice, and this sound has enriched and expanded the influence of African music outside the continent. We are thrilled to be honouring and featuring this contemporary sound with artists from around the globe.”
Highlights of Habari Africa:
Music: Ghanaian music star and humanitarian Rocky Dawuni will perform his unique Afro-roots, reggae sound on the WestJet Stage.
Friday, August 14.
Dance: Canadian-born Esie Mensah will perform an excerpt of Akuma – a story about a young man who travels from Ghana to Canada and his decision to return home.
Saturday, August 15.
Family: Come play Oware a ‘pit and pebbles’ style of game, one of Africa’s most popular pastimes.
Saturday, August 15 from 3–6pm. Sunday, August 16 from 2–5pm.
Visual Arts: World-renowned Ugandan artist David Kibuukawill showcase selected works from his series: warriors, mother and child, musicians and village life.
Friday, August 14 – Sunday, August 16
Habari Africa is free to all who attend, with the exception Late Night: Mi Casa. South Africa’s newest soulful house collective, Saturday, August 15, Brigantine Room, 10:30pm, Tickets $25.
For further information please visit http://harbourfrontcentre.com/habariafrica/2015/ or call Harbourfront Centre at 416-973-4000.
ABOUT BATUKI MUSIC SOCIETY
Batuki Music Society is a non-profit community-based African arts organization that promotes African music and art. www.batukimusic.com
MEDIA CONTACT
Jennie Benjamins
Office: 416-973-4381
jbenjamins@harbourfrontcentre.com4381
