Off TIFF All-Star African Day: Celebrating Emancipation and Legacy is a prestigious event dedicated to honoring the profound contributions of African icons in the film industry and social impact. Set in an elegant atmosphere, the event showcases panel discussions, short movie screening, short videos of distinguished awardees, highlighting their journeys and achievements that have elevated Africa’s global image. Guests will enjoy authentic cuisine, vibrant DJ music selection, and meaningful dialogues, creating an immersive celebration of African heritage and excellence.

The event’s core purpose is to premier short movies, and recognize individuals whose work has significantly advanced Africa’s cultural narrative, inspired social change, and nurtured unity and pride among Africans and the diaspora. These personalities serve as role models, embodying resilience, creativity, and leadership that inspire future generations.

Among the prominent figures, Nollywood stars, industry professionals, and cultural change makers for their remarkable contributions to the industry. Their leadership has played a vital role in inspiring African youth through their work and their dedication to empowering the continent. Beyond their creative achievements, they champion social justice and unity, embodying the transformative power of film, culture, and leadership in shaping a brighter future for Africans.

Date: September 12th at 6PM – Midnight 

Venue: A Different Booklist

779 Bathurst Street, Toronto

Program 

6:00 PM:
Guests begin arriving and are welcomed into the venue. They enjoy themed meals and snacks in the bar area while mingling and engaging with the atmosphere.

6:30 PM – 6:45 PM:
The event officially opens with a welcome address from the host. A brief opening speech highlights the event’s theme, celebrating Innovation and legacy and sets the stage for the evening’s program.

6:50 PM – 7:25 PM:

NIFS presentation on Nollywood and African movie industry by Moses Babatope

7:30 PM – 8:00 PM
The focus shifts to honoring the legends. Short, impactful videos of selected awardees are screened, showcasing their achievements and contributions to African culture, film, or social impact. Following the videos, awards are presented to the honorees, who then deliver their acceptance speeches.

8:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Short movie screening

8:35 PM – 9:20 PM panel discussion takes place, featuring influential African filmmakers, artists, and cultural icons. The discussion centers on themes related to African heritage, film industry insights, and legacy-building efforts.
9:30 PM After Party

The evening concludes with open dancing and socializing, interactive entertainment at themed photo booths, and interview corners.  Guests enjoy music, dance, and mingling, bringing the celebration to a lively and memorable close.

12:00 Midnight
Closing remarks. 

Community presenting Partner: Blackhaust Cultural Centre

Industry partners: NIFS, Saimy’s Art, BalminGilead.

Support by Toronto Arts Council 

Admission: $20 https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/off-tiff-all-star-african-night-celebrating-emancipation-and-legacy-tickets-1636601762929

Summer is here, and we’re thrilled to invite you to the AWA Concert Series at the Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF), taking place in the heart of Toronto’s vibrant Distillery District! This year, AWA brings a powerful lineup of multicultural performances to the iconic Trinity Theatre—an outdoor space where music, art, and community meet.

About African Women Acting (AWA)

AWA (African Women Acting) is a pan-African not-for-profit dedicated to empowering women and uplifting artists through cultural expression. Our mission is to educate, mentor, and inspire Black women by showcasing African arts—including music, spoken word, visual arts, culinary arts, and more—while promoting inclusiveness and cross-cultural collaboration. Our programs and annual AWA Festival aim to leave a lasting positive impact on the cultural sector.

What’s Happening at the AWA Concert Series?

We’re excited to present a diverse lineup of artists and performers representing the best of African and world music, alongside exciting collaborations that bridge cultures and generations.

June 27, 6:30–8:00pm

AWA Multiculturalism Celebration

Join us for an energetic evening featuring a vibrant music parade, interactive drumming workshop, and a dance performance that will get everyone moving!

Ngoma Ensemble

Rooted in the traditions of West African drumming and dance, Ngoma Ensemble takes you on a rhythmic journey that fuses Afrobeat, Caribbean, and hip-hop influences. Their dynamic show unites generations and celebrates the richness of the African diaspora.

Follow Ngoma on Facebook | Instagram

July 4, 7:15–8:15pm

Waleed Abdulhamid – African World Music

Experience the fusion of ancient African rhythms and modern jazz, as Waleed Abdulhamid’s ensemble reflects Toronto’s spirit of multiculturalism through soulful, original compositions.

Follow Waleed on Facebook

July 5, 7:15–8:15pm

Festa Popolare – Italian Folk Music

Led by Roberto DiPlacido, Festa Popolare brings the authentic sounds of Southern Italy to Toronto, performed on traditional instruments and sung in ancient regional languages—a rare treat for music lovers!

Follow on Instagram

July 18, 7:15–8:15pm

King Cosmos – Infrared Music (Calypso Music)

Double Calypso Monarch Henry Gomez—aka King Cosmos—lights up the stage with infectious Caribbean rhythms, celebrating the music, history, and community spirit of the islands.

Instagram: cosmos.king | X: @RealKingCosmos | TikTok: King Cosmos

Experience the Trinity Theatre

All concerts take place at the stunning Trinity Theatre, an open-air venue on Trinity Street, right in the center of the action. Our 38-foot projection screen brings visuals to life, making each performance an immersive experience you won’t forget.

Stay Connected

Follow AWA for event updates, artist features, and festival highlights:

Instagram: @africanwomenacting

Facebook: African Women Acting (AWA)

YouTube

X/Twitter: @awatweet

We can’t wait to celebrate with you at the AWA Concert Series! Bring your friends, family, and your love of music—everyone is welcome.

Saturday, October 28 – Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas Street East Toronto, ON M5A 2B7

The Art of Connection and Exchange: Cultural Diversity and Harmony featuring Jbwai, J Nichole Noel, Sonia Aimy and Susan Heaten

Tickets Here

African Women Acting (AWA), celebrating their 10^th anniversary this fall, is set to host The African-Canadian Fusion: a Cross-Cultural Celebration of Art, Music, and Poetry this fall.  On Saturday, October 28 Daniel’s Spectrum, a cultural center on Dundas Street in Regent Park, Toronto, will be transformed into a home of music and other performing arts that celebrate the African diaspora in Canada.

Founded in 2011, AWA is a nonprofit focused on empowering, preserving and promoting women issues and the heritage of African culture through African art. And it’s known for its rocking events, including its long running annual Niagara Festival, which in the waning days of summer this year took over RiverBrink Art Museum in Queenston. One donor paid for 300 tickets, too, so that fans could enjoy the full day, family-friendly program.

The Fall event, meanwhile, will feature Cameroonian Afropop singer Jbwai, spoken word artist and singer J Nichole Noel, Susan Heaten, and Nigerian vocalist Sonia Aimy, who founded AWA back in 2011.

Dabbling in genres including classic rock, reggae and pop, Noel has been performing for over 20 years on stages in Canada, the U.S., Spain, UK and Jamaica. She has recorded three audio CDs as well as published books of poetry and stories for children. Sonia Aimy, or the “Velvety voice of Africa” as she’s called, has released several albums. In 2021, she released the quarantine-era “Reconnect,” a fantastic upbeat meditation on Pan-Africanism which feels out of Fela Kuta’s lab. Though the African diaspora is spread all over the world, the chorus, “reconnect, reconnect, my people… motherland, motherland” is a reminder of an everlasting connection to the African continent. One of several October performers who is truly a Jane of all trades, Aimy also released her film “TRACE: Tracing African Canadian Extraordinaire,” which focuses on the accomplishments of seven African-Canadians making impact in the country.

The October event will feature an Afrobeat selections by DJ Moussa, who has played all around Toronto-area haunts and is sure to keep the party going and people dancing. African-Canadian Fusion will run from 2pm to 5pm. The $50 admission includes food and wine tasting. 

For more information, please contact:

Eric Alper

Publicist  I  Music Commentator  I  Shameless Idealist

647-971-3742

www.ThatEricAlper.com

Eric@ThatEricAlper.com 

http://www.Twitter.com/ThatEricAlper

http://www.Facebook.com/EricAlperPR

http://www.Instagram.com/ThatEricAlper

“MIRIAM MAKEBA COMMEMORATIVE DAY – NOVEMBER 9, 2008 – NOVEMBER 9, 2022” 

MIRIAM MAKEBA FEATURED ON NEW SONGS

South Africa, Africa and the world over, hereby acknowledge and recognize the 14^th year Commemoration of the passing of Humanitarian and Musical Icon Mama Miriam Makeba; in Honor and Remembrance of the late Her Excellency Goodwill Ambassador Dr. Miriam Makeba.

Dr. Miriam Makeba sadly passed away on November 9, 2008.

Today, Wednesday, November 9, 2022, signifies the 14^th year commemoration of the passing of one of the most iconic Africans the world has ever witnessed; the Legendary Songstress, Humanitarian and Goodwill Ambassador, Dr. Miriam Makeba.

As we reminiscence on the memory and contributions of “Mama Africa”, we seek to achieve, and reach out to All who loved her, from all over the world to emulate what came so easily to the legendary late Dr. Miriam Makeba. Specifically, that is to reach out to one another, and remember that the way she lived her life was a testament as to how we should all live our lives; by treating each other with respect and the love that resides so deep in all our hearts, and be kind to one another, as well as being kind to ourselves, and make this world a better place. “We love you always Mama Africa, Rest in Peace – Lala Ngoxolo”; says the Miriam Makeba Foundation. 

This current year 2022, also coincides with the 90^th (Birthday) Anniversary Celebrations; Miriam Makeba – Mama Africa would have been 90 years old this year on March 4, 2022. She was born on March 4, 1932. 

This year, in tribute to and memory of the legendary songstress and humanitarian, United Kingdom, London based musical duo/group named lavender have dedicated their brand-new single/song entitled “First Bagel Of The Night” Featuring Miriam Makeba. 

United Kingdom artist/producer, Ntantu, this year re-launched and dedicated his new single/song entitled “Far Away” Featuring Miriam Makeba. 

The Commemorative Day not only pays tribute to one of the world’s most iconic Africans, but also to her immense contribution as a humanitarian and Goodwill Ambassador. 

The Miriam Makeba Foundation annually acknowledges this aforesaid significant date November 9 as “Miriam Makeba Commemorative Day”. Ms. Makeba was Africa’s first Grammy Award winner and much-loved icon who performed to acclaim around the world while spreading her humanitarian message.

UK musical duo/group lavender on their new single/song “First Bagel Of The Night” have developed a signature sound based on Trip-Hop, Soul, Trap, music, Hip Hop, Jazz and Lounge; and, on single “First Bagel Of The Night” a Miriam Makeba vocal sample is from a song entitled “A Promise” by Miriam Makeba; written and composed by legendary South African songwriter, arranger & producer Caiphus Semenya. 

OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO LINK:

Lavender – Listening link to single and EP for all major platforms listen to it here!! 

UK rapper and producer, Ntantu has developed a signature sound based on Afropop, RnB, Dancehall and Rap and, on single “Far Away”, the Miriam Makeba vocal sample is from a song entitled “BaxabeneOxamu” originally titled “Oxgam”. The particular recording of “BaxabeneOxamu”, was from a Swedish televised interview in 1965 in which Miriam Makeba performed live. This was written by another legendary South African artist, Letta Mbulu.

The “Far Away” single by Ntantu featuring Miriam Makeba is now out on all major streaming and digital platforms. 

Please see links below for the music video and listening links:

Official music video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfakA9QPW4E

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/2uuo2wpY1M5WQWkWMSJnyl?si=bdbcea66818c4271

Listening link for all major platforms: https://hypeddit.com/link/6akea1

© 2022 Courtesy of Miriam Makeba Foundation.