Featuring K'naan, photo by Nabil Elderkin
Afro Ascension
at Luminato in the Square
Curated by the the Global Coalition Against Systemic Racism and for Reparations, Fondation Michaëlle Jean Foundation, and Luminato Festival Toronto
Sunday, June 9
1pm - 11pm
David Pecaut Square
Free
Afro Ascension celebrates the tremendous global impact of Black artists from Canada and abroad. The evening will be headlined by Grammy-winning Somali-Canadian rapper K’naan, and will also feature Haitian-Canadian musician Vox Sambou, Puerto Rican trombonist William Cepeda, Cuban hip-hop/dancehall queen La Dame Blanche, and Ghanian singer-songwriter Rocky Dawuni, all coming together for the highly anticipated third edition of the International Concert Against Racism.
There’ll be plenty of family activities throughout the day, including an Afrobeats and Reggae set by R.I.S.E. Edutainment, a dancehall lesson led by Edz Gyamfi and a percussion workshop by steelpan musician Joy Lapps (first-timers welcome!) Explore Medecins Sans Frontieres’ photo exhibition ‘Side by Side’ and create interactive art with MSF and Oddside Arts. If film is your thing, don't miss a sneak peak of Sounds & Pressure: Reggae in a Foreign Land, part of the National Film Board’s love letter to reggae.
Hosted by CBC's Leah-Simone Bowen and Randell Adjei.
Performers and Activities
Schedule 1pm - 11pm
Performances
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
4:45 pm - 9:00 pm
Selectres Sunshine
5:00 pm - 5:40 pm
6:00 pm - 6:40 pm
7:00 pm - 7:40 pm
8:00 pm - 8:40 pm
9:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Times subject to change. Please check back regularly for most recent schedule
Activities
1:00 pm - 11:00 pm
1:00 pm - 11:00 pm
1:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Word on the Street curated Book Nook
1:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) & Oddside Arts Interactive Art Project
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
2:05 pm - 2:50 pm
Joy Lapps - From Skin 2 Steel and Beyond Workshop
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Times subject to change. Please check back regularly for most recent schedule
About the curators:
Global Coalition Against Systemic Racism and for Reparations
The Global Coalition Against Systemic Racism and for Reparations is a Worldwide Anti-Racist Community that brings together diverse actors, sectors, institutions, organizations, companies, and individuals to promote a culture that ensures dignity and seeks reparations for the victims of antiblack racism, colonialism, and enslavement. We believe in using art as a tool to raise awareness, social commitment, and public engagement for the eradication of systemic injustice against people of African descent and to generate a powerful collective consciousness that demands justice. Because of this, we have created the International Concert Against Racism to promote a message of respect, equity, and human rights for all.
Event Supporters
Presented By
Supported By
Partners
Accessibility
ASL interpretation will be available on June 7 and June 16.
An Access Tent will be onsite with staff and volunteers to assist, along with access kits. Sighted Guides and ASL Volunteers will also be available throughout the festival. Please review our Access Guide for more information.
A Relaxed Tent will be available every day for anyone who needs a quieter space.
There will be an AODA viewing platform in front of the main stage.
An Access Guide and Venue Guide are available
HERE
Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts, Culture and Creativity
350 King St. W., 4th Floor,
Toronto, ON M5V 3X5
Charitable Registration Number: 81163 7347 RR0001