WHAT IS AFRICA WITH THE MASTERS?

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.

AGENDA

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.