Month: June 2012

  • Graceland/Under African Skies: released & reviewed

    I’ve posted a couple of items recently about Under African Skies, the excellent documentary about Paul Simon’s groundbreaking Graceland album, released 25 years go. The documentary includes footage of original recording sessions, Simon’s first return to South Africa last year, and the international political controversy it caused from his breaking of the UN’s cultural boycott […]

  • Afrocubism at Luminato, June 12: A Big Deal

    I’ve posted several items about Afrocubism here and in the newsletter over the past couple of years, but it’s worthwhile commenting again about what a remarkable collection of musicians will be assembled on the stage at Luminato on the evening of June 12, for a free concert. This website has a particular focus on African […]

  • Luminato & other festival info

    Part 1 of the summer festival notes.  Check www.events.to-music.ca for details on these and many other events. Summer festival time kicks is here, kicking off this weekend with The Afrofest launch event tonight Beginning Friday, 10 amazing days of free Luminato concerts & the annual free Muhatadi International Drumming Festival Saturday. Afrofest launch: June 7 […]

  • Supporting the Ubuntu Learning Village in Zimbabwe (Mutamba Rainos)

    Most people around the African music community know Mutamba Rainos, an mbira player/singer/dancer/percussionist with Nhapitapi, and formerly with Masaisai. He’s also a storyteller, chef, and (as of this fall), PhD student at OISE. However he also created an important project in rural Zimbabwe, the Ubuntu Learning Village.  He is in Zimbabwe for four months now, […]

  • Another take on the “Graceland” 25th anniversary re-package…

    Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’ boxed set revisits controversial and brilliant album | NJ.com.