The 6th annual Bana y'Africa is a free outdoor celebration of African music and culture for the whole family to enjoy. The Bana y'Africa 2005 festival features a main concert stage with performances by award-winning African musical groups and exciting traditional dancers. From north to south and east to west, come and experience rhythms from the African continent!
For immediate Release; July 12, 2005
TORONTO STAR & AFRICA NEW MUSIC PRESENT
BANA Y'AFRIQUE FESTIVAL
SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2005, 12 noon -11 p.m.
METRO HALL SQUARE, 55 John Street, Toronto
Bana y'Afrique is a free outdoor celebration of African music and culture for the whole family to enjoy. The 5 th annual African festival will take place at Metro Hall Square (55 john Street ) on Sunday, August 28 th from 12 noon – 11:p.m.
The Bana y'Afrique 2005 festival features a main concert stage with performances by award-winning African musical groups and exciting traditional dancers. From north to south and east to west, come and experience rhythms from the African continent…
The Bana y'Afrique market will feature vendors and cultural organizations with a wide array of crafts and clothing from the continent and the opportunity to sample delicious African foods. A journey to the continent of Africa right here in downtown Toronto .
This African music and arts celebration, Bana y'Afrique Festival is a free event organized by Africa New Music – La Maison de la Musique Africaine. Africa New Music is non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of African music and culture in Toronto .
1 - High Light: MOTO et KAPIA du CONGO (Congolese Soukous & Mutuashi)
Moto is from the Democrate Republic of Congo, where he trained as a professional dancer at the National Institute of Art in Kinshasa (INA) and became one of the elite dancers with the National Ballet of Congo. The leopard skin that Moto wears as an integral part of his performance has an important meaning in culture for traditional dance. Instead of the simple costume of his early years, it is given to signify that a high level of training and expertise is reached, and is worn to perform for chiefs, royalty and for other important occasions.
Moto has performed with many of Congo's big names, popular bands, and traditional music groups such as; Wenge Music, Choc Stars, Eden Music, Tambour Levallois and Swede-Swede. He is able to blend traditional Congolese dances from various regions of this vast African country with modern forms of dance and expression while relating traditional themes, contemporary stories and cultural messages.
2-ADAM SOLOMON
Adam was born in Mombasa, Kenya and was introduced to the guitar early on. In fact, once his father had stopped playing, Adam would smuggle the guitar out of the attic and play happily outside for hours, forgetting even to come in at night. Adam has had an extensive professional career. His influences include such talents as Doctor Nico, Ali Farka Toure, Wilson Peter Kinyonga, Orchestra Lipua Lipua, BB King, George Benson and Al Clough. Adam has become an accomplished band leader, vocalist, and composer. He specializes in lead guitar but is a facile multi-instrumentalist. In April 2005, Adam won the Juno Award for Best World Music Album of the Year (Canada). He has also garnered wins at the Toronto African Music Awards (TAMA) for Best New Performers and Best Release. His discography includes Safari, Rocket Express II: African Renaissance Blues, and contributed two tracks to the CD African Guitar Summit, produced by the CBC. "My goal is to gain more recognition internationally for the African music genre, and to share this unique experience with others who aren't yet familiar with it. Music is the universal language, and for me, music comes from Kaya, which is a source of healing and is where we all belong."-- Adam Solomon http://www.geocities.com/originaltikisa/band
3- MADAGASCAR SLIM, NDIDI ONUKWULU AND DONNE ROBERT
Singer and songwriter Ndidi Onukwulu, who is new to Toronto 's blues scene, recently embarked on a musical collaboration with Madagascar Slim and Donné Robert. All artists bring the contemporary rhythms of Africa to the blues. Slim and Donné's musical roots are in the Malagasy music of their birthplace, Madagascar , while Onukwulu, who was born in British Columbia , grew up listening to a wide variety of music including Nigerian juju.
Slim, who is critical when it comes to assessing vocal ability, says Onukwulu's voice is outstanding. "I really got excited the first time I heard it," Slim says. "That doesn't happen to me often with people's voices. She really does have something special." Ndidi (pronounced In-dee-dee) and Slim, a three-time Juno Award winner, are in the process of building a repertoire of traditional blues, combined with Malagasy and Nigerian music. "It's a new form of African blues," she says. (Slim and Donné are both featured on the Juno Award winning African Guitar Summit CD.)
Onukwulu left home at an early age and wound up in New York City to pursue her singing career. She started out on the city's open mic circuit, singing a cappella, then met up with some hip hop and blues players. "I started singing on their albums and in return they would work on my songs," she says. Onukwulu is an eclectic performer who hasn't confined herself to blues or blues-related music, or to African-based music. After leaving New York for Toronto , she sang in a rock band, then she became the vocalist of an electronic band, Stop, Die, Resuscitate.
Ndidi did a private Toronto Blues Society showcase at the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals in Guelph and Blues Summit II in January of 2005. She performed at the Massey Hall edition of the Women's Blues Revue (November 2004) and was a finalist in the Toronto Blues Society Talent Search held at the Distillery Blues Festival. With Slim et Donné she has performed several Silver Dollar Room "African Blues" nights and was a highlight of Music Africa's February 4 "Africa Sings" event at the ROM. Ndidi is putting the finish touches on a soon to be released acoustic EP called "No I Never" featuring songs written with guitarist Sam Goldberg.
4- CARIBBEAN FOLK PERFORMERS
Caribbean Folk Performers is an Afro-Caribbean based Performing Arts Company, committed to preserving and promoting traditional African and Indigenous Caribbean Culture through dance, music and drama. Since the company's inception in 1988 as a dance company, it has grown towards its conceived future to become a "Performing Arts Company." Members are of various regional backgrounds particularly the Caribbean, Canada, and Africa. Some of its performance highlights include Metro International Caravan - 1997 & 1998 (Winner of Metro International Award "Citation of Caravan's theme"), Kimoyo: The evolution of Black Dance - a sold out performance at Hart House Theatre, and Emancipation - school tour 1996 to 1998.
5- BLACK ICE
Step Dancing is a style of dance deeply rooted in the traditions of African Ancestry where the body is used as the sole instrument for creating music. It wasn't until the 1920s that stepping became an art form for African American Fraternities and Sororities and the 1990s here in Toronto. Black Ice Step Dance Crew has thrilled audiences throughout Ontario and the United States with their highly spirited and energizing dance repertoire.Founded in 1992, this Toronto based step collective presents step dancing in a non-traditional style incorporating modern and contemporary movements and themes. Do you have a product or initiative you want publicized in a unique way? Black Ice can incorporatedifferent themes into their routine by adding key words or movements to get your idea across to your audience.
6- CHEMAGNE MARTIN
Chemagne was hypnotized with the Art of Bellydance in 1999. She has been dancing professionally for 4 years and continues her bellydance training with many recognized teachers in Canada and the U.S. Her dance background includes Bellydance, Latin dance, and African dance forms. Chemagne has danced at many venues in Toronto , such as the Toronto African Festival, Lula Lounge, Rivoli Nightclub, Revival, and Café Mirage. To learn more about Chemagne you can visit her website at: www.chemagnedance.com
7-MOSAIC ARABIC
From the many corners of the Arab World, the MOSAIC Arabic Folklore Ensemble brings together different dialects, heritages and traditions, representing the richness and diversity of Arab Culture. As Arab-Canadians, this group of young men and women hope to bridge the distances of cultures by presenting to their audiences a mosaic of dance, music and folklore from the Arab World. Since its birth on May 28, 1999, MOSAIC has incorporated many individuals playing key roles in the unified objective of promoting the culture and bridging the distances of such diversities. The richness and the diversity of Arab Culture is represented in this group of young adults, who have joined together in presenting the values of their heritage. After six very strong years, MOSAIC continues to be a unique landmark in the growth of Arabic Culture in Toronto and Canada. The amazing talent and dedication of the people that have contributed to MOSAIC's success has resulted in the vast and great achievements we have recorded until today. MOSAIC solutes all its members - past and present - for all their dedication and loyalty to this Organization.
8-SALIHA SAMI
Saliha Sami touched the face of this earth on March 5 th 1978. She is a Queen Mother of two, originating from Assabot Ethiopia, and later raised in Miessoo, Ethiopia. It was at the tender age of fourteen that this vibrant entertainer first sang passionately on stage. This sweet singing sensation released her debut album Dayima which in Oromoo means “The Honey”. Saliha has made her mark as a shining star in many areas of Toronto. She has made various guest appearances at the Blue Nile Restaurant, the Cottage Lounge and Afro Fest showcasing her talent and sharing her beautiful culture.
Festival Bana Y'Africa 2005!
2-ADAM SOLOMON
4- CARIBBEAN FOLK PERFORMERS 
7-MOSAIC ARABIC 