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T.O. Music Pix Newsletter #126: March 17, 2011
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In this issue:

1. Save Afrofest in Queen's Park
2. Event notes: Ethio T.O, Okavango Orchestra, Johnny Clegg, Femi Kuti & Tony Allen!
3. Libya: latest news, rally in Toronto, Libyan music
 


1. Save Afrofest in the Park - Queen's Park

It would be hard to imagine a Toronto summer without Afrofest in the great setting of Queen's Park. A wonderful location in the hear of Toronto, where the grass and trees offer a superb urban oasis for what our former mayor, David Miller once told me was his "favourite Toronto festival". Everything meshed to create a superb ambience: the setting, the music (across multiple stages), the food, vendors, people of all ages enjoying one of Toronto's quintessential events.

Well, mark that among the many Toronto treasures that are a legacy of the past... maybe.

As I'm sure most readers here are aware, the city's Parks Department has decided "no more Afrofest in the park". North America's largest and longest--running African music festival has been told to find a new home for this July.

Music Africa, who has organized this great free event for over 20 years, is hoping to keep Afrofest in its true home, but can only do it with a lot of public support. For the background on the issue, see their website, and their letter reprinted below.  They are urging supporters to write in support of Afrofest in Queen's Park.

You can use this handy email link to send an email to Mayor Ford, Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (councillor for the Queen's Park area) and Parks department officials. A copy will be sent to Music Africa, and councillors who are members of the Parks and Environment Committee. See MA's website and their email below for some arguments in defence of keeping Afrofest in the park, and feel free to use those points or MA's sample letter. But your own personal thoughts and comments are very valuable. And don't forget to copy your own Councillor!

Even if you're not from Toronto... write, emphasizing how important the festival -- and its location -- are. See you in Queen's Park this July!


Email appeal from Music Africa (Mar. 17):

On March 11 the city Parks Department confirmed to Music Africa that the city would not issue a permit to hold AFROFEST in Queen’s Park. The department gave as its reasons “permit violations for 2010 and previous years.” More recently a City official said of the festival's growth, we are "victims of our own success".

 

In January, when first told of the city’s decision, Music Africa tried to appeal, pointing out that some of the so-called “violations” had not taken place at all, and that others could be easily addressed. The Department of Parks and Recreation declined to grant a meeting, and followed with their March 11 refusal.

 

While we acknowledge problems have existed, we are asking the city to allow us to present solutions to each of them. We believe with co-operation from the city the issues concerning crowding, parking control and stress on the park can all be alleviated.

 

[For more information see the Music Africa website, at www.musicafrica.org

 

IT’S NOT TOO LATE, the Parks Department’s decision can be reversed. Please join the “Save Afrofest” group on Facebook, sign our petition at www.musicafrica.org, and ask your Afrofest-loving friends to sign it too.

 

In addition, we urge you to contact city officials and tell them you think Queen’s Park is the best home for Afrofest. (Submit your own comments, or see below for sample letter.)

 

Mayor Rob Ford: Mayor_Ford@toronto.ca

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, Ward 27 [incl. Queen’s Park]: councillor_wongtam@toronto.ca 

Your city councillors (Please locate them here):  http://app.toronto.ca/wards/jsp/wards.jsp

 

Parks Department:

 

Sandy Straw, manager: sstraw@toronto.ca

Brenda Patterson, General Manager: bpatter2@toronto.ca

Richard Ubbens, Director of Parks: rubbens@toronto.ca

Mark Hawkins, General Supervisor: mhawkins@toronto.ca

 

 

Thank You

 

Board of Directors

Music Africa

 

  

Sample Letter:

As an Afrofest fan, I was shocked and disappointed to learn that the city Parks department has denied a permit to have the festival continue in Queen’s Park. Afrofest is a terrific, family-friendly festival that brings the city together. I urge the Mayor and City Council to overturn the decision and continue to allow Afrofest to take place at Queen’s Park.

One of my favourite Afrofest moments... an unplanned workshop collaboration between (L to R): Mamadou Diabaté, Alpha Yaya Diallo, Naby Camara and (unseen) Tapa Diarra. 2006.
 

Ask the Afrofest fan below to help!


2.  Event notes:
I have added some event updates for shows in the near future and a bit long-term. (including Luminato's musical events). Check the Events page for details of the shows below and more.

Ethio T.O: Mar. 25 at the Music Gallery
Featuring local Ethio sax great Girma Wolde Michael. (photo at right). As noted earlier here, Girma plays with just about every local and touring Ethiopian artist who comes to town, from Aster Aweke to Mahmoud Ahmed. This show features him with his Ethio Fidel band. Opening is Canaille, a jazz quintet
whose music is influenced by Ethiopian horn sounds.

Okavango: An African Orchestra: Apr. 15 at the Gladstone Hotel Ballroom
The new musical project, composed of seven Canadian-based African musicians: Daniel Nebiat, (Eritrean krar), Pasipamire Gunguwo (Zimbabwean marimba/mbira), Donne Roberts (Malagasy guitarist), Nuudi Kooshin (Somali kaban), Waleed Abdulhamid (bass), Sadio Sissokho (Senegalese kora) and Walter Maclean (percussion) made its debut in late February at the Glenn Gould Studio. This show should bring a whole different perspective to the Orchestra. The musicians will now be more comfortable with each other, and the intimate and more informal setting of the Gladstone venue should add a much different spirit to the evening. Details of show TBA.

Also coming soon:

Mar. 18: Tamsir Seck & Les Coqs Chantent at the Centre Matongé
Mar. 19: Jane Bunnett: "Cuban Roots Meets Jazz"
at Hugh's Room
Apr. 13: Johnny Clegg at Koerner Hall (may be sold out... but check for rush  tickets that day)
Apr. 15: Tony Allen, co-founder with Fela Kuti of the Afrobeat sound at the Phoenix
Apr. 19: Femi Kuti, Opera House

Further down the road:
May 12-22: LulaWorld Festival

And in June, Luminato featuring among others, Hakim, Natacha Atlas and Yemen Blues... a group drawing raves around the world.

Again, see the Events page for more details.


Toronto-based Ethiopian sax player, Girma Wolde Michael. He'll be heading the Ethio T.O. show in March, but you might catch him backing Aster this weekend

3. Libya

A stirring time, inspired by incredibly brave people who are facing down one of the most brutal dictators of our time. They have reached this point on their own, fighting Gaddafi firepower, brutality and madness with heart and determination. As of last night (Mar 17), the world, through the UN Security Council is finally offering them some support. Little if any credit to the Canadian government however. (See page linked below).

I have posted a page of some comments, photos, and links to up to date information about what's happening on Libya (along with my most recent email to the Canadian government)  ere: www.jookjoint.ca/libya
 

Rally to support Libya
A great opportunity to stand with Libyans and others fighting for freedom:

Saturday, March 19
Yonge-Dundas Square, 12-3pm
See Facebook page

Music:
Finally, in keeping with the real purpose of this website, some Libyan music. There isn't a lot of live music (or other arts) happening in Gaddafi's Libya outside government-approved folkloric performers. I hope and expect that to be among the many changes in a new Libya.  Meanwhile, listen to some here:

 

 

John Leeson
www.to-music.ca