Our friend Zaki Ibrahim just released a new video directed by RT. Zaki is now based in Cape Town, South Africa, but her Toronto family has far from forgotten her beautiful voice and calm spirit. Do you thing Zaki.
Afrofest July 10-11 2010
![AFROFEST_klunder[TshirtDesign]](http://www.darkerthanblue.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/AFROFEST_klunderTshirtDesign1.jpg "AFROFEST_klunder[TshirtDesign]")
The 22nd Annual Afrofest is happening in Toronto this weekend (July 10th and 11th, 2010.) This celebration of African music, food and culture always attracts thousands of people and this weekend should be no exception. Looking forward to a hot, sunny weekend of music, food, marketplace and of course plenty of people. For more information visit the Music Africa site at http://www.musicafrica.org
Sparrow d’Legend
Toronto Mas Camp, Carnival Nationz has released its theme for 2010 and its line up of costumes. Nationz, the 2009 Champions decided to make The Mighty Sparrow the band theme this year. This means costumes are named after various Sparrow songs such as D’ Lizard, Jean & Dinah, Obeah Wedding, Congo Man and others. After attending the launch event, I’ve got say I am pleasantly surprised and inspired to see thousands of young people learning about the Calypso legend. The launch began with a video that took clips from some of Sparrow’s live performances and videos from the 1950s onwards. I thought this was great, rather than simply honouring the artist’s work in name only, the audience got a chance to learn about Sparrow’s life and his music. I had no idea he was born in Grenada!!!
Check out all the costumes here:
http://carnivalnationz.com/gallery/index.php/Carnival-Nationz-Band-Launch-2010
We live in an amazing city and we are so blessed to have creative people making creative costumes. I am so proud of all the people involved in volunteering their time to make sure Caribbean culture says alive and the next generation is able to learn about our magnificent past. It takes sooooo many individuals to setup mas camps, recruit people, do promotional work and tons of other stuff, that is the spirit of community arts. I am wondering when people will finally be able to see these costumes as art, beautiful pieces of art that are deeply interwoven with our histories?
Don’t want to make it seem like I am shamelessly plugging Carnival Nationz, so here are more info on other bands:
:: Toronto CARIBANA Mas Bands 2010 ::
(2010 Competing bands are currently listed alphabetically and NOT in order of appearance)
Black Sage (Selwyn “Nip” Davis & Corey Howard) {Category A}
2010 Presentation: “Kopy Kat”
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections: 7
Costume Price: $100-$140
Kiddies Costumes: $50
Mas Camp Location: 60 Barbados Blvd, Units 4 & 5
Mas Camp Hours: 7pm-10pm weekdays | 2pm-6pm weekends opens May 15th
Phone: Corey 647-242-7715 Nip 416-286-0097 Alvin 905-940-2944
Email: corey@blacksagecarnival.com, nip@blacksagecarnival.com,alvin@blacksagecarnival.com
Website: http://www.blacksagecarnival.com, http://www.scsc.ca,http://www.nipdavis.com
2010 Launch Date: Sat May 1st @ Northern Tropics (Ellesmere and kennedy)
Pre Caribana Brunch: Sunday April 18 @ Northern Tropics 1pm – 5pm
Callaloo (Marlon Singh) {Category A}
2010 Presentation: “Halloween”
Music on de Road: JMC 3VENI (Live Band 5 Times T&T #1 Band on the Road), Ravi (Chutney Soca Monarch King from Karma), DJ Shiva (from Bacchanal Radio), Blackberry Soundcrew, DJ Spinz, Tony Soul (from NY/Miami) & Crystal Vibez
Number of Sections: 11
Costume Price: $135-150 All-Inclusive / Also VVIP available (Inquire within)
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: TBA
Mas Camp Hours: noon – 1am
Phone: 416-576-0694 | 416-845-3754
Email: callaloocarnival@gmail.com
Website: http://www.callaloo.net
2010 Launch Date: Sat May 15 @ Everest Banquet Hall
Carnival Nationz (Bryce Aguiton, Dwayne Pitt, Marcus Eustace) {Category A}
2010 Presentation: “Sparrow… D’Legend”
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections: TBA
Costume Price: TBA
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: 533 McNicoll Avenue (Vic Park and McNicoll)
Mas Camp Hours: 7pm-10pm weekdays | 2pm-6pm weekends (opens in June)
Phone: 416-565-4079, 416-985-8488, 416-930-9650
Email: info@carnivalnationz.com
Website: http://www.CarnivalNationz.com
2010 Launch Date: Sat May 1, 2010 @ Sound Academy 2
Connections – TCC (Mervyn Skeete) {Category B}
2010 Presentation: “TO BE ANNOUNCED”
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections: TBA
Costume Price: TBA
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: TBA
Mas Camp Hours: TBA
Phone: 416-492-5584 | 647-295-5584
Email: gemstonestcc@aol.com
Website: http://www.tocarnival.com
2010 Launch Date: TBA
De Freitas Carnival (Ken Defreitas & Justin Hospedales) {Category A}
2010 Presentation: “Reign of Fire”
Music on de Road: Renegade Squad (Blueberry Bashment), Dj. Chief (Worldwide 89.5FM), Jump Up Kingz (Got JUK), Dj. Bass (Island Breeze 89.5FM)
Number of Sections: 8
Costume Price: TBA
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: TBA
Mas Camp Hours: Mon – Thu 5pm – 9pm / Fri – 5pm – 10pm / Sat: 12pm – 10pm / Sun: 2pm – 8pm
Phone: 416-209-0834
Email: defreitascarnival@gmail.com
Website: http://www.decarnival.com
2010 Launch Date: TBA
Doldron, Doldron & Associates (Courtney Doldron) {Category B}
2010 Presentation: “TO BE ANNOUNCED”
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections: TBA
Costume Price: TBA
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: TBA
Mas Camp Hours: TBA
Phone: 416-986-7875, 647-928-5609, 416-779-4211, 416-833-2641
Email: csdoldron@rogers.com
Website: N/A
2010 Launch Date: TBA
Fantazia International (Will Morton) {Category B}
2010 Presentation: “Fashion Runway”
Music on de Road: DJ Dingolay
Number of Sections: 7
Costume Price: TBA
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: TBA
Mas Camp Hours: TBA
Phone: 289-888-1247
Email: fantazia_09@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.fantaziainternational.net
2010 Launch Date: Sat May 15th, 2010
Genesis Mas (Russel & Jerry Jerome) {Category C}
2010 Presentation: “Exotic Birds”
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections: 6
Costume Price: $120 / ($250 individual)
Kiddies Costumes: $50
Mas Camp Location: TBA
Mas Camp Hours: TBA
Phone: N/A
Email: N/A
Website: http://www.GenesisMas.com
2010 Launch Date: TBA
Guycan Group (Raj Persaud) {Category C}
2010 Presentation: “Sparkle Guyana Sparkle”
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections:TBA
Costume Price: TBA
Kiddies Costumes:TBA
Mas Camp Location: TBA
Mas Camp Hours: TBA
Phone: N/A
Email: N/A
Website: N/A
2010 Launch Date: TBA
Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club (Louis Saldenah) {Category A}
2010 Presentation: “Portraits”
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections: TBA
Costume Price: TBA
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: TBA
Mas Camp Hours: Daily noon-11pm (open from June 7)
Phone: 416-560-4419
Email: saldenah@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.saldenahcarnival.com
2010 Launch Date: Sat May 8, 2010 @ Embers Banquet Hall
Mas Toronto (Errol Achue) {Category A}
2010 Presentation: “TO BE ANNOUNCED”
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections: TBA
Costume Price: TBA
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: Tam Heather Country Club – 730 Military Trail, Scarborough, (west of Morningside)
Mas Camp Hours: Mon-Thur 6-10:00pm | Sat 6-11pm | Sun 6pm-8pm
Phone: 416-282-7712, 416-283-6161
Email: info@mastoronto.com
Website: http://www.mastoronto.com
2010 Launch Date: TBA
Pleasure Players (Whitfield Balasco) {Category B}
2010 Presentation: “TO BE ANNOUNCED”
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections: TBA
Costume Price: TBA
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: 4TBA
Mas Camp Hours: TBA
Phone: 905-568-9136
Email: werfamily2@hotmail.com
Website: N/A
2010 Launch Date: TBA
Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire) {Category A}
2010 Presentation: “Disco Fever… Aint No Stoppin Us Now”
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections: TBA
Costume Price: TBA
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: TBA
Mas Camp Hours: TBA
Phone: TBA
Email: info@torontorevellers.com
Website: http://www.TorontoRevellers.com
2010 Launch Date: Sat May 8, 2010 @ Everest Banquet Hall
Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai) {Category A}
2010 Presentation: “HOLLYWOOD: Glitz & Glamour”
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections: TBA
Costume Price: TBA
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: TBA
Mas Camp Hours: TBA
Phone: 416-893-1867
Email: carnivalartsent@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.TribalKnights.com
2010 Launch Date: Sat April 10, 2010 @ Grand Luxe
Tru Dynasty Carnival (Thea Jackson) {Category C}
2010 Presentation: “Fever – What Makes You HOT”
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections: TBA
Costume Price: TBA
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: TBA
Mas Camp Hours: TBA
Phone: 647-883-9033 / 416-768-8292
Email: trydynasty@gmail.com
Website: http://www.trudynasty.com
2010 Launch Date: TBA
Thunder Soul @ Hot Docs
The documentary feature, *Thunder Soul* immortalizes the legacy of
legendary African American music educator Conrad “Prof” Johnson and the
Kashmere Stage Band.
*Thunder Soul follows the extraordinary reunion of alumni from storied Kashmere High School Stage Band from Houston, Texas, who return to their school for the first time in 35 years to pay tribute to their beloved leader–the 92 year-old “Prof”–who in the early 1970s transformed the school’s mediocre jazz band into a world-class funk powerhouse. *
The Kashmere Stage Band (KSB) not only broke the U.S. color barrier by bringing student musicians from diverse backgrounds together, they also revolutionized band competitions altogether with their professional caliber musicianship and performance style. Their story exemplifies that with the right support, encouragement and discipline, children can achieve great things regardless of their circumstances or background. *Thunder Soul* is particularly inspirational to children with social challenges and the organizations and individuals serving them.
*Thunder Soul at Hot Docs, Toronto*
Friday, May 7th, 9:00 PM
Cumberland 3
Saturday, May 8th, 6:00 PM
Bloor Cinema
Sunday, May 9th, 1:45 PM
R.O.M. Theatre
For tickets and screening information:
http://www.hotdocs.ca/film/title/thunder_soul
http://thundersoulmovie.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thunder-Soul/335489550501>
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tsmovie
K’NAAN CBC INTERVIEW
K’Naan speaks about his life in Toronto and opens up about his life in Dixon, Rexdale.
Always Moving Forward: Contemporary African Photography from the Wedge Collection
Always Moving Forward: Contemporary African Photography from the Wedge Collection
May 1st – May 29th, 2010, Gallery 44, Toronto
Opening
Saturday, May 1st, 2-5pm
Exhibition catalogue available
A CONTACT 2010 Feature Exhibition
Curated by Kenneth Montague
Always Moving Forward is a survey of recent work produced by artists from various regions in Africa, responding to emerging technologies, transitioning landscapes, rampant globalization and the force of capitalism – including the influence of advertising. These artists are linked by a sensibility that has evolved as an intuitive response to the persistent pressure of our media-saturated society. Their new expressions are important developments in the art of image-making and together create a powerful dialogue.
Panel Discussion including artists, curator and special guests
Sunday, May 2nd, 3 pm
Curators tour
Saturday, May 8th and 29th, 2pm
Artists include:
Mohammed Bourouissa, Mohamed Camara, Calvin Dondo, Samuel Fosso, Hassan Hajjaj, Bouchra Khalili, Antony Kimani, Lebohang Mashiloane, Aïda Muluneh, Dawit L. Petros, Zwelethu Mthethwa, Guy Tillim, Andrew Tshabangu, Nontsikelelo ‘Lolo’ Veleko
Special project in the Gallery 44 Vitrines by Megan Morgan
Mohamed Bourouissa, Le téléphone, 2006
Gallery 44, 401 Richmond St W, Suite 120, Toronto
www.gallery44.org
Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival
www.contactphoto.com
Nigerian/British Kids Set Record in Math
“I find it as a game so it’s not really hard” -Paula / ”We had to look at some questions that seem very hard but they are actually easy when you get into the swing of it” -Pete
Britain’s Brainiest Family is Black and Has 9-Year-Old High School-Bound Twins Paula and Peter Imafidon are just like any other 9-year-olds. They love laughing, playing on the computer and fighting with each other. What sets these twins apart from their peers, though, is that they are, hands down, prodigies who are about to enter high school and make British history as the youngest to do so. The precocious London-based tykes, known as the “Wonder Twins,” floored academics a year ago when they aced University of Cambridge’s advanced mathematics exam. They are the youngest students to ever pass the test.
The future little scholars’ father, Chris, and mother, Ann, immigrated to Britain from Nigeria more than 30 years ago and have actually been down this prodigy route before with their three older children, who are also overachievers. The couple’s oldest daughter, Anne-Marie, is now 20, but at age 13, she won a British government scholarship to take undergraduate courses at Johns Hopkins University inBaltimore. Christiana, 17, their other daughter, is the youngest student ever to study at the undergraduate level in any British University at the age of 11. Youngest daughter, Samantha, now 12, passed two rigorous high school-level mathematics and statistics exams at the age of 6. She mentored the twins to pass their own math secondary school test when they were also 6. Even with all of this, the proud dad denies that there is any particular genius in his family. He does credit his children’s success to the Excellence in Education program for disadvantaged inner-city youth. “Every child is a genius,” he said. “Once you identify the talent of a child and put them in the environment that will nurture that talent, then the sky is the limit. Look at Tiger Woods or the Williams sisters — they were nurtured. You can never rule anything out with them. The competition between the two of them makes them excel in anything they do.” The darling duo are competitive to say the least, and this is what fuels them to out-achieve each other. Paula said, “I am excited to pass, but I should have got higher than Peter.” As far as career paths Paula says she wants to be a math teacher, while Peter aspires to be prime minister one day. All it takes is a dream…
“if we take maths out of the classroom and bring it to normal daily life it becomes less threatening” -Chris (father)
YMCAYOUTH Federal Government Summer Internships
If you know a young person out of school please let them know about these summer internships…
