Press Release
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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7th Annual Afro Festival
July 26th, 2008 12PM-8:30PM
Waterloo Park, Waterloo ON
Admission is FREE
It's coming soon! Can you feel the drums beating and
taste the spice?
Afro Festival is gearing up for its biggest year
ever.
Presented
by the African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region, this free family event
brings you the spirit of the African continent. Relish the many food flavors of
Ethiopia, Somalia, Cameroon and Ghana. Dance to the pulsing drums of nations
such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Somalia, Guinea and more. Let traditional
dancing from countries like Egypt and Ethiopia entice you to join in. This is a
family day of tropical beats, exotic cuisine and diverse culture
as only Africa can offer.
The
Afro Festival celebration has evolved from a picnic for the African community
to enjoy their culture and educate their children about their illustrious
heritage into a festival attracting Africans and lovers of African culture from
Waterloo Region and beyond. Last year, 3500 were in attendance grooving to the
drums, savoring the spicy food and soaking up the African artwork on display.
This year Afro Festival hopes to attract 5000 people by extending the hours to
8:30pm.
Afro
Festival is excited to introduce the dynamic Nigerian dance troupe, Ijo Vudu,
to K.W. Ijo Vudu refers to the transcendent spirit in dance. The founder and
artistic director, Sani-Abu, is a master West African dancer who was born into
a family of traditional artists in Nigeria. Before settling in Toronto in 2005,
Sani spent 7 years living in New York where he was a resident at both the New
Jersey Performing Arts Centre, and John Hopkins University, as well as performing
around the world. Ijo Vudu’s repertoire is comprised of traditional African
drum and dance as well as original choreographies accompanied by live
percussion. Members of the African Women’s Alliance were astounded by their
recent performance at the Toronto Afro Fest. This group is an incredible
experience through joyful journey of African dance. http://www.ijovududance.com
Afro
Festival is honored to be hosting Soul Influence, an African cappella gospel
group this year. Their music is inspired by Africa and Afro-jazz spiritual
sounds of Swahili with contemporary Christian music. Soul Influence sings
richly layered harmonies, combining the intricate beat and rhythm of the
motherland with the sentiments of gospel. By raising their voices in song, they
hope to raise the awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa. They have
worked with the York Region AIDS Committee, the Stephen Lewis Foundation and
The Hopes and Dreams Team, Canada. As well the group has performed with artists
like Alicia Keys, Nelly Furtado, K-OS & Keisha Chante.
www.soulinfluence.org
The
Southern Volta Cultural Performers will also be gracing Afro Festivals stage.
Lead dancer and cultural coordinator, Nyuitor Ocloo, formed this group to
assist children of the Ghanaian Ewe Tribe maintain ties to their culture. In
addition to a collection of Ghanaian dances, the performers specialize in Ewe
dances illustrating various aspects of traditional life from the search for new
settlements to the performance of household chores and the display of physical
beauty.
Afro
Festival strives to represent both local and international musical acts as well
as all parts of the African continent. In addition to these artists the
thrilling day will also include Somalian singer Aruus, Ghanaian-Waterloo
drummer, Nii Addico and Gerima Fletcher, the University of Waterloo Black
Student Association Cultural troupe as well as traditional dancing by local
African national groups among others.
The African Women's Alliance of Waterloo Region is a non-profit community organization
founded in 1995. The Alliance’s mission is to promote African culture and
heritage through educational, social and cultural activities for members of the
African community and the general population. The Alliance also assists African
women and their families living in Waterloo Region in integrating into Canadian
society.
Experience the heart and soul of
Africa!
Celebrate Diversity! Celebrate
Unity! Celebrate Our Pride!
For more information and regular updates about the
festival, please visit our website www.creationafrica.com/afrofestival
Media Contacts:
Yvonne Tagoe – Public Relations
ytagoe@yahoo.ca
DAY & EVE: 519-884-5249
Bronwyn Addico - Marketing
Coordinator
bronwynaddico@hotmail.com
DAY: 519-884-2665 EVE: 519-884-5332