Afrofest July 6, 2007

Music Africa presents Toronto’s 19th annual Afrofest, a celebration of African music and culture, free on Saturday July 7th and Sunday July 8th. See and hear traditional and contemporary styles of music by dozens of different African performing groups along with top international touring acts. The festival has grown every year, and in 2007 varied presentations will be in 3 different stage areas. Come to Queen's Park and discover Africa in the heart of Toronto!

Afrofest at Queen’s Park is a showcase of the richness and diversity of African culture and features concerts by many of the continent's greatest musical stars and African music groups from across Canada. Afrofest has grown to include presentations on three different stages and also many other activities. Enjoy free music workshops at the Under the Baobab Tree Stage along with an expanded program oriented to youth and also African Theatre presentations. For the younger ones there is a Children's Village area, with activities designed to teach and inform about African culture. The Baba Olatunji Drum Stage features many leading drum and dance ensembles and also a dazzling display of authentic African arts, crafts and delicious foods in the bustling African marketplace. Afrofest is THE African music event of the summer!

FULL LINE-UP ANNOUNCED!
This year’s Queen's Park main stage concerts include veteran Congolese/Kenyan superstar Samba Mapangala and Orchestra Virunga, Due to the unfortunate cancellation of the Mahotella Queens the line-up for Afrofest 2007 will now also include Lura, the rising star from Cape Verde, and former back up singer and heir apparent to the great "barefoot diva", Cesaria Evora. Her latest release in November 2006, and second for Lusafrica, is M'bem di Fora (I've Come From Far), Nawal "The Voice of the Comoros", from Madagascar HAJAmadagascar & The Groovy People, Nya Soleil from Cameroon, Sudan's Ruth Mathiang, Source with Abdoulaye Diabate from Mali, Guinea's Katenen Dioubaté, Senegalese Zale Seck, DR Congo's Pekocé, Maroc'N Real with Hassan el Hadi from Morocco, Habeeba Hobeika Egyptian Dance Ensemble, and the very popular local Samba Squad. Links to artists’ web sites are below.

A specially-commissioned presentation by the African Dance Ensemble will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Ghana's Independence at the 2007 festival. Modesto Amegago will lead opening and closing ceremonies in the Ghanaian tradition.

Official Website: http://www.musicafrica.org/afrofest07.htm