Coinciding with Culture Days, the 6th annual AWM Festival is a 3-day series of activities, performances and culturally relevant arts engagements by Elders, knowledge keepers and professional African artists living in Canada. The festival honors the “Spirit of the Village”, promotes friendship and respect, and welcomes people of all backgrounds through music, dance, traditional kids games and storytelling, performed and facilitated by African Elders, knowledge keepers, and professional African artists.
The theme for the 2022 AWM Festival is “Blessing”. In African traditions, Blessing is a key component of a person’s wellbeing. One must be blessed regularly to enjoy a good life.
Blessing is a state of the soul. It is a feeling that the soul is home, we are in alignment, and all is well. Many African cultures have their own unique ways to bestow blessings, but it is widely accepted that “To dance together is to bless each other.” And we will do just that.
As Africans, this festival is an opportunity to celebrate our friendships with the broader community while sharing who we are, through our artistic forms, as per many African traditions. Like all our events, AWM nurtures unity, feelings of joy and celebration, interconnectedness, and mind-body alignment.
***AWM is a bilingual event (French and English). Certaines activités se feront en Français, comme les contes.
Volunteers Needed!
Please consider volunteering to help make the festival safe and fun for everyone.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
***Feel free to wear your mask indoors***
Guest attendance for the Friday Village Night event is limited to 60 people, Saturday Africa Play Day is limited to 50 people (incl. children) and Sunday workshops will have 25-30 max. participants per workshop. We got You.
*You don't need proof of vaccination to access businesses, events or services in BC.
You can find relevant info on the BC gov site here.
African Musicians, Dancers, Elders and Knowledge-Keepers celebrate their culture with you.
Jean Pierre MAKOSSO
Storyteller, Author, Actor
Congo
Munkie NCAPAYI
Master percussionist and Drum Café facilitator
South Africa
Swahili Vision International
Facilitating Swahili lessons
Eastern Africa
Aly TRAORÉ
Master percussionist
Guinea
Yoro NOUKOUSSI
Master percussionist & multi-instrumentalist
Benin
Kurai MUBAIWA
Musician, Singer, Dancer
Zimbabwe
FRIDAY NIGHT
INDANGAMIRWA
Traditional Rwandan dance
Central Africa
FRIDAY NIGHT
HEALING EWE RHYTHMS
Traditional music & dance
West Africa
Additional guest Artists, Facilitators, Elders and Knowledge Keepers will join us for the online Festival. Click the button below to find out more.
Africa with the Masters in-person Festival is an immersive and invaluable experience taking place on the Ancestral and unceded land of the Coast Salish peoples –Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, over three action-packed days. It is an inclusive and welcoming experience for all, in a mobility accessible venue.
1. Friday, September 30, 2022 - Village Night, a concert presenting professional artists of African descent and a delicious authentic Senegalese meal cooked by Chef Ansou.
2. Saturday, October 1, 2022 - Africa Play Day for families and the child in each of us, with free workshops and activities for children, facilitated by renowned professional artists and knowledge keepers of African descent.
3. Sunday, October 2, 2022 - Workshops open to the public and artists to study rhythm and drum traditions from Africa, with master artists of African descent. Our dance workshops are back this year!
Later in November, we will invite you to a daily online engagement (cultural activities, workshops, roundtable discussions, performance events, etc.) October 31- November 27 by professional African artists to celebrate our African heritage across Canada and contribute to the rich diversity of Canada Culture Days.
7pm: Doors open
7:30pm-8pm: Land acknowledgement and music
8pm-9pm: Senegalese dinner* & Storytelling
9pm-10:30pm: Music & dance performances
11 pm: End
*We will make sure to cover diverse dietary concerns (i.e. vegetarian & vegans options)
10:15am-11am: Storytelling with Jean Pierre Makosso
11:15am-12pm: Kids' rhythm circle with Munkie Ncapayi (sticks & djembes will be provided to all kids)
12:15pm-1pm: Swahili songs by Swahili Vision Int'l
1:30pm-2:15pm: Musical craft activity
2:30 pm-3:15 pm: Traditional Games!
3:15 pm-4 pm: Closing kids' performance
Other activities available during transition times, with prizes to win for the kids!
DRAFT schedule ONLY. Final schedule to be confirmed soon (and will include dance workshops).
12:30 pm-1:45 pm - Drum Circle Etiquette Workshop - bring your own djembe and learn how to maximize your drum circle experience – with Munkie Ncapayi
2 pm-3:15 pm - Guinean Drum Workshop – djembes available for rent at $5 – with Aly Traoré
3:30 pm-4 pm - AFS Annual General Meeting
All are welcome to attend
4 pm-5 pm African Rhythms with Kurai Mubaiwa (Clapping and Chanting to live Mbira music)
5 pm: End of Workshops day
Please find more details HERE.
Please visit our Facebook page to travel with us around the African continent, learning rhythms, cultures, and histories of the four regions! The online events feature guest African Artists, Elders, Facilitators, Thought Leaders and Knowledge Keepers.
This online programming has been made possible in part by the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Cette programmation en ligne a été rendue possible en partie grâce au gouvernement du Canada.
**Please go HERE.
**Hours are subject to change. Please check back for updates.
Moberly Arts Centre
7646 Prince Albert St.
Vancouver, BC
This venue is located near Fraser st. and 60th avenue, approx.
5 min walking distance from bus #8. Free parking lot.
This event could not be possible without the support of our generous funders and the help of our supporters!
Cet évènement ne pourrait avoir lieu sans le soutien de nos généreux bailleurs de fonds et l'aide de nos amis.
Africa with the Masters Festival sponsorships offer a valuable opportunity to showcase your brand and gain targeted exposure to hundreds of community members, families, artists, grassroots organizations, African cultural associations, African and Black community leaders, and potential customers.
We wish to respectfully acknowledge that we live, work, dance and play on the unceded, ancestral, and traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.
Nous reconnaissons avec respect et gratitude que nous vivons, travaillons et dansons sur la terre ancestrale non-cédée des Premières Nations Salish de la côte ouest: xʷməθkʷəjˀəm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), et səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil Waututh).
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