KUUMBA

KUUMBA - Toronto's longest-running and largest African Heritage Month festival returns to Harbourfront Centre with two weekends of music, dance, film, comedy, spoken word and literary events that support and celebrate innovative local and international artists from the African and Caribbean diaspora.

KUUMBA's 12th edition salutes some of Toronto's most successful cultural entrepreneurs (A Different Booklist; Up From The Roots - Dwayne Morgan; Kenny Robinson's Nubian Disciples Comedy Crew; Muhtadi's International Drumming Festival and DLM Dance and Entertainment - Shawn Cuffie) while also showcasing numerous styles of African dance and drumming and the busy Somali film capital of Columbus, Ohio! KUUMBA events are free and for all ages (except where noted). For information the public can call 416-973-4000 or visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com
Events Include: KUUMBA Choreographer's Congress (February 7 8pm) - African movement meets Urban movement at this dance showcase involving original works from some of Toronto's finest choreographers like Jade "Hollywood" Anderson, Esie Mensah, Kevin A. Ormsby and Kay-Ann Ward. Curated by Shawn Cuffie of DLM Dance and Entertainment.

Horn of Africa: A Musical Odyssey (February 7 9:30pm): This ticketed event ($15) is presented in partnership with Batuki Music featuring artists Daniel Nebiat and Kemeu Yousuf. This evening of song and dance features traditional and original music from the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan) with performances rich in the Azmari style of musical storytelling and lyrical performance utlizing instruments like the masengo (one-stringed fiddle) or krar (five or six string lyre).

Voyage Afrique - The Roots of a Legacy, a dance montage and homage to African dance styles by Ijo Vudu Dance International (February 8) as well as griot songs and stories in the Mandé traditions of the Dioubaté clan of Guinea by Toronto's Katenan "Cheka" Dioubaté (February 7).