Festival

Afrikadey! 2010

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.