Events

Check out the Main Stage Schedule here!

Monday August 9

What is Africa?

What is the Afrikadey! Opening Gala? Art for the senses. Eyes: Fashion. Dance. Ears: Monologue. Concert. Taste buds: African appetizers. Join us from 7pm to 9:30pm at REPUBLiK (219 17 Ave. SW) for a scintillating evening of performance.

Adejoké Taiwo, top four finalist of Project Runway Canada Season Two, shows her fashion line àlalá where traditional Nigerian fabrics meet contemporary cuts.

Trendy Strands' clothing, a kaleidoscope of Nigerian and Ghanaian fabrics and patterns, offers a visual entrance into African culture.

Amara Ijo, a West African dance troupe, display "the splendor and allure of Nigeria" through their rhythmic and grounded movement.

Simone Saunders, a University of Alberta-trained actor and founding ensemble member of Calgary's Ellipsis Tree Collective, performs a monologue created at the One Yellow Rabbit's Summer Lab Intensive entitled ELENA, a celebration of her ancestry and her grandmother's life in Jamaica.

Toumany Kouyate amazes with a flurry of notes and strands, taking to the stage with his kora, a West African lute and harp-like instrument with 20+ strings.

Bassekou Kouyate has revolutionized the ngoni, a traditional Malian string instrument, and its music, astounding Western audiences with his vivacious band Ngoni ba. Excitingly, Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni ba bring their usual live show verve to REPUBLiK!

With this art and sense smorgasbord also comes value. One $40 Gala ticket = this extravaganza and the one on Prince's Island Park August 14 with K'naan! Get your tickets today!

Tuesday August 10

Heard of Hollywood?

Bollywood? How about Nollywood? Nollywood Babylon, a Canadian documentary created by Ben Addelman and Samir Mallal, explores the world's third largest cinematic centre, located in the heart of Nigeria. Unlike its quasi-namesakes, Nollywood films are not big budget, nor do they focus on American glamour or Indian dance scenes; rather, they are low budget explorations of "the collision of traditional mysticism and modern culture that Nigerians experience every day." Nollywood has become the voice of Africa, speaking directly to, of, and for its people. Nollywood Babylon has been the official selection or competition of film festivals from Sundance to Sydney, Edinburgh to Rio. Now Nollywood Babylon comes to Afrikadey! and Kensington for a showing at the Plaza Theatre (1133 Kensington Road NW) August 10 at 7pm. Tickets are $12 at the door.

Wednesday August 11

Pop quiz:

Which continent has the most French speakers? With an estimated 115 million people speaking French, Africa is the correct answer. Surprised? Come to Alliance Française (1221 2 St. SW) on August 11 at 8pm for "Les Français d'Afrique", a variety show destined to dazzle you with entertainment and information. Joining us onstage is the crème de la crème of Franco-African talent! Senegalese Toumany Kouyate amazes with a flurry of notes and strands, taking to the stage with his kora, a West African lute and harp-like instrument with 20+ strings. Kocassalé Dioubaté, a Guinean of the Mandingo tribe of West Africa, brings his deep knowledge of music, drumming, and dancing to the Alliance stage. MFive, a local melodic hip hop group originally from Congo, will perform their deep French lyrics. What's more, Congolese Minsio Mundos lays down his honey smooth vocals and Axia Goua from the Côte d'Ivoire performs her exquisite dancing. The evening will surely be a tour de force.

Thursday August 12

Remesha Drums @ Olympic Plaza

Imagine being awarded an Olympic medal in 1988 at Olympic Plaza in Calgary. It's surprisingly heavy - say, 550g. Now imagine carrying a massive drum on your head made from a hollow tree trunk, weighing about 70 lbs., while playing it, dancing, and singing! That's what Remesha Drums will be doing at their Afrikadey! Festival noon hour concert at Olympic Plaza on Thursday, August 12. Remesha Drums consists of more than fourteen drummers and "a handful of five youngsters going through a passage of initiation," and ten of them will be sharing their talent with us! Originally from Burundi, a small country bordered by Rwanda, Congo, and Tanzania, Remesha Drums now calls Canada and Ottawa home. The members of Remesha Drums take turns playing the Inkiranya, the central drum, and seamlessly transition between this, dancing, resting, and playing a variety of other drums, producing a continuous show entirely without interruptions. Just as impressive is Remesha Drums' talent of balancing these heavy drums, made from hollow tree trunks and dry cow skins, on their heads while simultaneously playing, dancing, and singing! Grab your lunches and join us for this free noon hour concert as a warm-up for the Afrikadey! August 14 Prince's Island Park festivities!

Drum workshop

While watching African drummers and dancers perform do you ever get lost in reverie and imagine yourself on stage tapping intricate rhythms and performing dynamic steps? If so, wake up! Your chance is here: be a part of the Afrikadey! drum workshop on Thursday, August 12 and the dance workshop on Friday, August 13. Kocassalé Dioubaté, a Guinean of the Mandingo tribe of West Africa, brings his deep knowledge of music, drumming, and dancing to us in two workshops. A descendent of his tribe's "Griots", the traditional keepers of the community's oral history, Kocassalé has a passion for education that runs in his very veins. Kocassalé has been teaching Canadians to drum and dance in the West African way in places such as Penticton, Kamloops, Edmonton, and Vancouver, among others. Even Kocassalé, recipient of the Guinean Minster of Culture Dance Award and Head Drummer for Ballet Kaloum Lolé, came from humble beginnings, starting his first group at the age of seven by banging pots and pans with friends in his village. Thus, have no fear: whether your drum experience has been limited to your kitchen and your bedroom mirror has been the only audience member to your dancing or if you are a percussion extraordinaire and a trained ballerina, these workshops are for everyone! Join Kocassalé Dioubaté, his partner Sasha Belle, your fellow African drum and dance enthusiasts, and Afrikadey! at the Art Gallery of Calgary, 7pm, on August 12 and 13 for an education of a lifetime that costs only $20. "[I’m excited] to meet all my brothers [and sisters] from different countries," Kocassalé says and reminds that the "Afrikadey! Festival isn't just for Africans, it's for everyone." For more information about Kocassalé visit his website www.therootsofrhythm.com.

To register contact the Art Gallery of Calgary at 403-770-1350, info@artgallerycalgary.org, or www.artgallerycalgary.org

How does a novel get to the stage?

Be a part of the evolution by attending the theatrical reading of Things Fall Apart at the Central Library's Dutton Theatre (616 Macleod Trail SE) on August 12 at 7pm. Things Fall Apart, the seminal novel by Chinua Achebe now thought to be the archetypal modern African novel in English, is being adapted for the stage by local playwright, novelist, filmmaker, poet, and screenwriter Cheryl Foggo. This theatrical reading is the last in a successful series read at the University of Calgary and the Calgary Public Library in February for Black History Month and recently at Theatre Calgary. Be sure to catch this FINAL reading before the piece moves into its next phase of development. For those who have and have not read Things Fall Apart, this August 12 reading is your sneak peak ticket into the world of dramatization! This event is free and you can register with the library.

Children's Workshop

Bring the kids to The Art Gallery of Calgary Thursday, August 12 and Friday, August 13 from 10am to 12pm to find their inner creativity! African arts and crafts may include mask-making, K'naan-inspired waving flags, and more! The workshop is free, but please contact The Art Gallery of Calgary to register at 403-770-1350, info@artgallerycalgary.org, or www.artgallerycalgary.org.

Friday August 13

Stephen Avenue Noon Hour Concert

Join us for a free noon hour concert Friday, August 13 on Stephen Avenue with Senegalese Toumany Kouyate who takes to the stage with his kora, a West African lute and harp-like instrument with 20+ strings. Be hypnotized and amazed by Kouyate's flurry of notes and strands!

Dance workshop

While watching African drummers and dancers perform do you ever get lost in reverie and imagine yourself on stage tapping intricate rhythms and performing dynamic steps? If so, wake up! Your chance is here: be a part of the Afrikadey! drum workshop on Thursday, August 12 and the dance workshop on Friday, August 13. Kocassalé Dioubaté, a Guinean of the Mandingo tribe of West Africa, brings his deep knowledge of music, drumming, and dancing to us in two workshops. A descendent of his tribe's "Griots", the traditional keepers of the community's oral history, Kocassalé has a passion for education that runs in his very veins. Kocassalé has been teaching Canadians to drum and dance in the West African way in places such as Penticton, Kamloops, Edmonton, and Vancouver, among others. Even Kocassalé, recipient of the Guinean Minster of Culture Dance Award and Head Drummer for Ballet Kaloum Lolé, came from humble beginnings, starting his first group at the age of seven by banging pots and pans with friends in his village. Thus, have no fear: whether your drum experience has been limited to your kitchen and your bedroom mirror has been the only audience member to your dancing or if you are a percussion extraordinaire and a trained ballerina, these workshops are for everyone! Join Kocassalé Dioubaté, his partner Sasha Belle, your fellow African drum and dance enthusiasts, and Afrikadey! at the Art Gallery of Calgary, 7pm, on August 12 and 13 for an education of a lifetime that costs only $20. "[I’m excited] to meet all my brothers [and sisters] from different countries," Kocassalé says and reminds that the "Afrikadey! Festival isn't just for Africans, it's for everyone." For more information about Kocassalé visit his website www.therootsofrhythm.com.

Children's Workshop

Bring the kids to The Art Gallery of Calgary Thursday, August 12 and Friday, August 13 from 10am to 12pm to find their inner creativity! African arts and crafts may include mask-making, K'naan-inspired waving flags, and more! The workshop is free, but please contact The Art Gallery of Calgary to register at 403-770-1350, info@artgallerycalgary.org, or www.artgallerycalgary.org.

Why do musicians write and perform?

Why do musicians write and perform their songs? This will be the question posed to Afrikadey! artists at the "Music: Power and Purpose" Symposium on the Main Floor of the Central Library (616 Macleod Trail SE) on August 13th at 7pm. Join us and hear Nomfusi Gotyana, the charming Cape Town chanteuse, speak about the power and purpose of her R&B-meets-Afro-soul sound. Members of H'sao, the African gospel/modern pop group originally from Chad, will also speak about the intentions behind their music. K'Naan's views on the subject will be represented via video montage of his interviews with the CBC.

Toumany Kouyate and Remesha Drums also will speak about the why of their music.

John Reid, founder of the Calgary International Jazz Festival, music educator at the University of Calgary, and jazz musician, will moderate, lending his well-trained ear and mind to the proceedings. This event is free and you can register with the library.

Bambara Trans @ Local 522

Superstitious? How are you spending your Friday the 13th? Come to Local 522, the pub whose address is its name, to rock with Bambara Trans on lucky Friday, August 13! The show starts at 9 pm at 522 6 Ave SW. There's no need to fear haunting by ghosts, but expect to be enTransed by this ethnically diverse ensemble who embrace the rhythms and voices of many nations while injecting each melting-pot melody with their own modern groove.

Originally formed by Khalil Abouabdelmajid in 2006, Bambara Trans boasts an impressive roster of players who straddle the globe from Morocco to Nova Scotia, with plenty of French influence thrown in for good measure. With influences raging from soul and funk to traditional African and European influences, Bambara Trans embodies the heartbeat of Canadian music in their vitality and willingness to embrace the many musical wonders of the world. Equipped with dazzling keyboards, a trance-inducing percussion section and a battery of ethnic instruments all used to achieve their unique sound, Bambara Trans is a world music phenomenon not to be missed.

So grab your rabbit's foot, don't open your umbrella before you get outside, and avoid the cracks in the sidewalk, but make sure to get to Local 522 on August 13 for Bambara Trans! Cost: Pay what you can...

Saturday August 14

Prince's Island

The day dawns orange and fiery. A circle forms, drums pounding out entrancing and jubilant rhythms. A braai vendor sets up his wares and from the west a scent of fried plantain wafts through the warm breeze. A woman wearing a vibrant green and gold patterned dress with an azure head wrap passes by and greets a group discussing Somali politics. Where are you?

The Afrikadey! Festival in Calgary - August 14th at Prince's Island Park to be more exact!

In its 19th year of presenting an unparalleled showcase of up-and-coming African talent, Afrikadey! 2010 specifically focuses on the talent, energy and innovation of young people of African descent who are actively striving to improve and open the lines of communication between different cultures. Thus it is with great joy and anticipation that Afrikadey! announces the headlining artist for our 2010 concert line-up: renowned Canadian-Somali beat-maker K'NAAN! A trend-setting poet with vibrant ties to his homeland, K'Naan brings his childhood experiences growing up in Mogadishu to his poignant yet completely entertaining songs. Delivering his message of peace and tolerance with style and flare, this Juno award-winning artist promises to heat up the Afrikadey! stage in a performance that all can appreciate and enjoy.

Afrikadey! again introduces Calgary audiences to a captivating array of African-inspired sights, sounds, and flavours. The August 14th festivities at Prince's Island Park begin at 10:30am with a Bring-Your-Own-Drum Circle. Come with your percussion in hand to learn more about African rhythm and become part of the Afrikadey! musical entertainment! The entertainment at Afrikadey! is not only on the stage, but on the ground. Impromptu capoeira, dance, and drum performances spring up around you no matter where you are:

• - the beer gardens enjoying a cold Big Rock beverage
• - the children's area making your own K'Naan-inspired waving flag
• - the food vendors indulging in curried goat, jerk chicken, Colombian BBQ, or ice cream
• - or the art vendors picking up some Tanzanian wares...

If you are right up by the stage you will be enjoying a full schedule of top-notch musical entertainment, such as:

Nomfusi - Charming chanteuse Nomfusi Gotyana returns to the Afrikadey! stage. Once again this sparkling songstress is coming to delight audiences with her larger-than-life vocals and smoothly seductive R&B-meets-Afro-soul sound. A Cape Town, SA native with a heart of gold, Nomfusi excels at putting a positive spin on life's trials and tribulations. Now on a Canadian tour with shows in Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia, Nomfusi with her elegant style and powerful lyrics are testament to the indefatigable spirit of African youth in the new millennium.

Papagroove - Afro-funk ensemble Papagroove brings the full force of their 13-part orchestra to the Afrikadey! stage. Priding themselves on their "dynamism, originality and accuracy" this water-tight band of players combine multiple genres and influences to craft their dance-inspiring numbers. Drums, guitars, keyboards, trumpets, violas, voices and more come together under the umbrella of Fela Kuti's infectious Afrobeat rhythms resulting in a rich and electrifying amalgam of African roots, rock and roll, soul, and jazz.

H'sao - Originally hailing from Chad, Montreal's H'sao is renowned for their unique ability to skillfully blend together elements of traditional African gospel music with modern pop and R&B sensibilities. An accomplished recorded group and veterans of the prestigious Fest'Africa festival in Lille, France, and the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (Montréal International Jazz Festival), H'sao is adept at captivating their audiences and setting them on a journey of spiritual discovery.

Another feature on the island will be an exhibition about the Ethiopian Church. The Ethiopian Church finds its roots in the biblical stories of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8) and the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. Since these biblical times, the Ethiopian Church has been fundamental in defining the culture and society of Ethiopia. "The Ethiopian Church: Past, Present, and Future", an exhibition put on by Mahibere Kidusan in collaboration with Calgary Hamere Noh Kidanemihiret, details how the Church has impacted the daily lives of its people: from government to art to the alphabet. A storehouse of not only spiritual but cultural knowledge, the Ethiopian Church is charted from its beginnings to its possible futures. "The Ethiopian Church: Past, Present, and Future" has been shown from Ethiopia to Washington DC, Las Vegas to Edmonton. Come learn about this interesting history and see the exhibit animated by live performance in Calgary at Prince's Island Park on August 14, 2010 as part of the Afrikadey! festivities.

Gaining understanding, exchanging ideas, and sharing art and culture are the fundamental underpinnings of Afrikadey! But having said that, there are few things finer in this life than sitting in the dappled shade of a tree while washing down some spicy, savoury, injera-wrapped snack with a bubbly cold one all while enjoying some world-class entertainment.

2010 Main Stage Schedule

• 10h00am - Drum Circle
• 12h00pm - TAMCOARE
• 01h00pm - Frankie Joe Rukundo
• 01h45pm - Tsehay
• 02h45pm - Swing State
• 03h30pm - Toumany Kouyate
• 04h15pm - Bambara Trans
• 05h00pm - H'Sao
• 06h15pm - Nomfusi
• 07h45pm - K'naan
• 08h45pm - Dragon Fli Empire
• 09h00pm - Papa Groove

2009 Events

Check out last year's events here.