BRING ON THE SUNSHINE 2014 - Performance Schedule: Main Hall 10:00 – 10:40 Nika Smith (vocal and guitarist) in entrance Nika Smith uses songwriting as a medium of self-expression and identity, creating something of substance instead of the familiar thematic drone found in much modern music. Her work transcends the structures of formal musicianship and evolves into art, reaching far beyond the depths of a simple pretty song. She experiments with alternative elements and still succeeds in seamlessly melding everything into a package accessible and appealing to a broad audience. The singer-songwriter fearlessly evades cultural and societal expectations, and shows signs of further potential to be realized. Her most recent production, The Shaman & The Hunt, expresses the freedom she found by letting go. Listen to Nika on CBC here 10:40 -10:50 Faith Juma (Griot –spoken word ) 11:00 - 11:15 University of Waterloo African Students (UWASA) Faith Juma puts her two passions of teaching and African studies together through sharing traditional and contemporary stories on Africa’s diverse and dynamic culture as a contemporary Griot, or story teller. Faith has been part of the Africa Summer Camp experience since its launch in 2011: inviting kids to explore the heart of African traditions and culture through stories, dances, songs crafts, and games. Formed of members of the African Student Association in the University of Waterloo. The association helps in bringing people from different parts of Africa and establishing a community in the University. They strive to use dance to educate and enlighten people. This performance is a combination of different styles of African dance. The ensemble takes a modern stance to African dance and shows how it has evolved over time. 11:30 -11:50 Welcome by Jacqui Terry, Recognition of Dignitaries Dhruv Gilliani (spoken word) 11:50-11:55 12:05 -12:35 12:35 – 12:55 Ruth Mathiang (guitar/vocal) National Anthem “O Canada” arrangement by Methuselah Maphosa Dhruv is an engineering student from the University of Waterloo who uses spoken word as a creative outlet, looking to make a positive and significant impact on the world through either medium! Ruth Mathiang has quickly become one of the rising stars of African music in Toronto. She comes from a musical family, where both her parents were musicians in their youth. She started her musical career in Kenya performing at social functions and local clubs. Mathiang honed her singing and composing skills by performing with local musicians and adopting various styles from traditional music, gospel, Afropop and hip-hop. She recorded her first CD “My Cry Peace” in Prince Edward Island, depicting her difficult life growing up in war-ravaged Southern Sudan. The CD is also a celebration of her faith and resilience as it has a gospel sound. Her second release “Butterfly” is a more refined recording, which draws from influences such as hip-hop, reggae, afrobeat and gospel. Since coming to Toronto she has established herself as one of the best female vocalist, has performed at several festivals such as Harbourfront Centre’s Hot & Spicy Festival, Afrofest, Bana y’Afrique, as well as numerous venues in the city. take down/set up Dande Showcase – Marimba and Mbira Jazz band From the sacred ancient lands of the Dande......the ancestors rest. Somewhere between the rivers of the Mpinge to the Sacred Mountains of Chiweshe...the message lingers. From the message , this music was created. Within the message , dwells the spirit. Within the spirit dwells soulvation Dande showcase....Mystic jazz...totally spiritual Mbira music fused with jazz and roots reggae. From the Aeolian hall . to the Harbourfront, from the Indiana international to Indianapolis Dande showcase has played to great acclaim across North America Fashion show to meet at 2:00 pm to get dressed 2:00 – 2:15 Jsun - and the JP Collective 2:20 – 2:40 UWASA and the Sunnydale Youth Miss Afri-Canada introduced Canadian-Bajan (prn. Badge - an = from Barbados) singersongwriter Jsun, a multi-talented artist who strolls along various avenues of creative expression and collaboration. Jsun performs both as a solo and collaborative musician and is also involved in Traditional West African Drum and Dance. Jsun has performed and organized at a rich variety of festivals including: Link Carnival and Parade, Hillside as well as Toronto’s Afro-Fest and Caribana. Azonto! West African Dance craze right here in Waterloo! 1:05 – 1:45 1:45 – 1:55 2:40 – 2:50 3:00 – 3:30 Community Fashion Show 3:30 – 3:40 Android 18 3:50 -4:20 Oshungo Drums 4:25 - 5:30 Tich Maredza Band For the past 15 years Miss AfriCanada has continued to empower and transform young women to embrace a stronger identity and to not define themselves according to what the media dictates. It reminds young women of the importance of giving back to their own African Canadian community but more importantly to adopt a national and global mentality by becoming ambassadors of vision. Miss AfriCanada 2013 Marie-France Temahagali will join us – get your photo taken with her, or learn about how YOU could be the next Miss AFriCanada! Be dressed by the incomparably dressed Stella Hill of West Africa, or wear your own outfit and take part in the community fashion show! Prizes awarded by Miss Africanada, judging to be done by you the audience! Fluid animation dance performed by the liquid limbed Tanake Magama, Oshungo Drum & Dance collective comprises of professional drummers and dancers from diverse backgrounds infusing traditional African and Caribbean rhythms and dance with original creations. Our intent is to share cultural experiences from West Africa and the Caribbean by expressing the joy of drum and dance with children, teachers, the community and the world. Band leader Tichaona Maredza is a self-taught musician whose music is an acoustic guitar based fusion of the contemporary rhythms and afrojazz music of his native Zimbabwe, powered by messages of inspiration, hope, love and awareness on the different issues affecting mankind. Workshop Schedule: All workshops are free, and are open all ages. Time 11:30 – 12:30 Room with carpet and fireplace Time Room with tiles Marimba/mbira workshop & demo - Carve your own pendant - Nii Addico of Dande Showcase Creation Africa Traditional handmade African instruments, Using coconut shell learn to carve with the African xylophone and thumb piano are 11:30 – 12:30 Master wood carver Nii Addico, known for infused with spirit and meaning as well as his ancient carving techniques of authentic sounding great – try your hand with experts African sculpture, as well drum making and from Dande Showcase more! Gumboot Dance - Mosa McNeilly Originating in the mines of South Africa 12:30 -1:30 during the years of Apartheid, enjoy your history and get your grove on! Learn about 12:30 - 1:30 the connection with ‘stepping’ to the heart 1:30 -3:00 of African history Art Innovators drawing with Drum circle - Oshungo Drums Paul Field 12:30- 4pm Ever popular, Oshungo drums know how to Create your own art piece, and enjoy the delight the crowd – get in early for you 1:30 - 3:00 chance to drum the winter blues away! gallery of youth work, and banners made by children and youth at workshops and summer camps. Art Innovators runs SPONSORED BY LINO DIANOSOMA SUNLIFE ADVISOR exceptional art programming in schools Head wraps & Hair braiding workshop – across the region. Learn how to create your own African 3:00 - 4:00 headwrap in style, or try your hand at 3:00 - 4:00 learning to corn row or simple braid! Beatrice Awesu & Polly Swaby All day workshops Hair braiding – Corn rows – ghetto style or trendsetter fashion? Join Polly 10:00 – 3:00 Swaby and learn basic braiding for kids, and how-to corn row for the more basement dexterious All day 10:00 – 3:00 10:00 – 4:00 Henna painting –India and East Africa have centuries of history through the trade routes – enjoy Henna painting in a nod to that story Face Painting - get your face painted by Kelly and Melanie – face painters extraordinaire - Just see our posters for samples of their work! Photographs against artist painted backdrops - Upstairs market place. basement Upstairs