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 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
Fana SORO
Master percussionist and Balafon player
Ivory Coast
N'nato CAMARA
Master Dancer and Singer
Guinea, West Africa
Aly TRAORÉ
Master percussionist
Guinea, West Africa
Yoro NOUKOUSSI
Master percussionist & multi-instrumentalist
Benin
Kurai MUBAIWA
Musician, Singer, Dancer
Zimbabwe
Munkie NCAPAYI
Master percussionist and Drum Café facilitator
South Africa
Kocassalé DIOUBATÉ
Griot, Knowledge Keeper and Master percussionist
Guinea, West Africa
Additional guest Artists, Facilitators, Elders and Knowledge Keepers will join us for performances, activities and workshops on Saturday and Sunday.
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)
11am: The Story of Zoe with Uncle Makosso
12:15pm: Nuru (NTA) kids and youth group perform
1pm: Songs and games from Swahili culture (SVIA)
2:15pm: South African rhythms with Munkie Ncapayi
3:30 pm: SOA kids' demo performance
Other activities available during transition times, incl. traditional games, with prizes to win for the kids!
10 am-11:15 am - Drum Circle Etiquette Workshop - bring your own djembe and learn how to maximize your drum circle experience – with Munkie Ncapayi
11:15 am-12:30 pm - Ingoma Rhythms from Rwanda – with Ezra Kwizera *New*
12:30 pm-1:45 pm - Djembe Rhythms from Ivory Coast - with Fana Soro
1:45 pm-3 pm Djembe Rhythms from Guinea – with Aly Traoré
3 pm-4:30 pm: Dances from Guinea - with N'nato Camara
4:30 pm-5:45 pm: Dances from Rwanda - with Angélique
*Djembes available for rent at $5
*Ingoma drums provided for FREE. (limited number)
* African snacks available throughout the day
Saturday, October 1 - 12 pm to 3 pm
Discover food from West, Central, East and Southern Africa. All for FREE!
This African food festival has been made possible by the generous funding of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Ce festival de nourriture africaine a été rendue possible grâce à Patrimoine Canada.
Reserve your FREE plate 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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