Coinciding with Culture Days, the 7th 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 2023 AWM is “Wisdom”. Across the African continent, Wisdom is the foundation of traditional knowledge and the key principle in the practice and teaching of leadership for the common good, which informs our way of life.
Indigenous traditions constitute a wealth of practical wisdom that could be tapped in for application in today’s world in order to enhance the understanding and practice of leadership in Africa and the rest of the world. Leadership activity, being very complex, requires wisdom to carry it out.
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 cultures with you.
Jean Pierre MAKOSSO
Storyteller, Author, Actor
Congo
Kocassalé DIOUBATÉ
Griot, Knowledge Keeper and Master percussionist
Guinea, West Africa
N'nato CAMARA
Master Dancer and Singer
Guinea, West Africa
Aly TRAORÉ
Master percussionist
Guinea, West Africa
Yoro NOUKOUSSI
Master percussionist & multi-instrumentalist
Benin
Angelique MUHORAKEYE
Dancer
Rwanda, East Africa
Munkie NCAPAYI
Master percussionist and Drum Café facilitator
South Africa
Edward SEMBATYA
Dancer and percussionist
Uganda, East Africa
Additional guest Artists, Facilitators, Elders and Knowledge Keepers will join us for performances, activities and workshops all weekend.
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 29, 2023 - Village Night, a concert presenting professional African artists, traditional storytelling, and a delicious authentic African meal.
2. Saturday, September 30, 2023 - Africa Play Day for families and the child in each of us, with free shows, games, and activities for children, facilitated by renowned professional African artists and knowledge keepers.
3. Sunday, October 1, 2023 - Workshops open to the public to study rhythm and drum traditions from Africa, with African artists. These workshops are for adults only, your kids can be with you but we have no class for them.
Later in November, we will invite you to a weekly online engagement (cultural activities, workshops, roundtable discussions, performance events, etc.) November 5 - December 3 with African artists and facilitators who will engage you into conversations about our African heritage and contribute to the cultural education of all Canadians.
7pm: Doors open
7:30pm-8pm: Land acknowledgement and music
8pm-9:30pm: African dinner* & Storytelling (incl. the Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony)
9:30pm-10:30pm: Music & dance performances
11 pm: End
*We will make sure to cover diverse dietary concerns (i.e. vegetarian & vegans options)
*Let us know of any allergy you may have
10am: Board games of Africa (Awale, Ludo, etc.)
11am: Storytelling with a special guest
12:15pm: Traditional rhythms games with Angélique
1pm: Balafon rhythms with Yoro Noukoussi
2:15pm: South African rhythms with Munkie Ncapayi
3:30 pm: Ugandan rhythms by Sembatya and performance by Blue (6 y old)
Other activities available during transition times, incl. African crafts, traditional games for adults and kids...
10 am-11:15 am - South African drum meditation - South African drums only – with Munkie Ncapayi
11:15 am-12:30 pm - Ingoma Rhythms from Rwanda and Uganda – with Edward Sembatya *New*
12:30 pm-1:45 pm - Djembe Rhythms from Senegal- with Kocassalé Dioubaté
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 drums are available for rent at $5
* South African and Ingoma drums available for rent $5
* African snacks available throughout the day - for $
Saturday, September 30 - 12 pm to 3 pm
Discover food from West, Central, East and Southern Africa. 4 sample plates for only $20!
This African food festival has been made possible in part by funding from BC Tourism and BC Arts Council.
Ce festival de nourriture africaine a été rendu possible grâce notamment à BC Tourism et au Conseil des Arts de C.-B.
Reserve your 4 plates 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).
©2021 African Friendship Society. All rights reserved. | Created with Leadpages