Presents DRUM BEATS

Thursday February 16th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Free Reception at The Artscape Wychwood Barns with Drumming Performances, An Animated Display of African Drums, Art Works by Local Black Visual Artists 

This event is part of TD’s Then and Now series, an inspiring and entertaining cultural showcase of one of Canada’s prominent communities. The lineup of events includes films, concerts, exhibitions, and performances by a host of Canadian and International artists. Visit www.td.com/thenandnow for more information.

Sponsored by the TD Bank Group in partnership with Mariposa in the Schools.

MIDF Presents Drum Beats, a free showcase Reception with Drumming Performances, An Animated Display of African Drums, Art Works by Local Black Visual Artists on Thursday February 16th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm The Artscape Wychwood Barns located at St. Clair and Christie Sts.  601 Christie Street, Toronto, ON M6G 4C7

Featured Artists:

J. R. Wilcox Public School Choir (Grade 5-6) Performing Songs from Gahu
Beyond Sound – Drum and Dance Ensemble youth performers
Muhtadi and The World Drummers – Toronto-based, Afro-Caribbean Rhythms
Michael St. George (b. Jamaica) Dub Poetry and the Oral Tradition
Amara Kante (b. Ivory Coast) – Traditional Malinke
Amadou Keinou (b. Burkina Faso) – Mandingue Rhythms
Baro Dununba – Toronto-based ensemble of West-African drum and percussion
Njacko Backo – Cameroon Contemporary African

For 2012 the Muhtadi International Drumming is launching a new program, Drum Beats, featuring Black artists who provide performances, performance-demonstrations and workshops featuring drumming in GTA community centres, libraries, and schools, during Black History Month 2012. The performances will take place via community organizations, such as community centre and libraries – programs that are in high-demand during Black History Month, especially in libraries. This project will provide access to programming to economically challenged communities by providing subsidies should they require financial support. In this way, we will reach communities that would not normally have access to these artists and art forms.

The Drum Beats series is part of Then and Now, a series of events celebrating Black History Month. For Further information, Community event listings in Libraries and Schools across the GTA for the Drum Beats series please go to http://www.muhtadidrumfest.com/muhtadi-international-drumming-festival/midf-presents-drum-beats-then-and-now-a-celebration-of-black-history-month/

For more information or to book a program for schools or community venues contact:

Mariposa In The Schools (MITS)

Dolores Anderson, Executive Director
Tel: 416 462 9400 Toll Free in Ontario 1-888-255-6487 Fax 416-462-0871
info@mariposaintheschools.ca
www.mariposaintheschools.ca

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Email: media@muhtadidrumfest.com

For additional information about the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival (MIDF), please visit: http://www.muhtadidrumfest.com
call 416-848-3838.

Follow us on Twitter @muhtadidrum Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Muhtadi-International-Drumming-Festival/169074829804175

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The Muhtadi International Drumming is a not-for-profit organization that hosts an annual free event held in Toronto in June. MIDF celebrates the drum, its universality as an art form,  and its presence in all cultures around the world.

Presents DRUM BEATS

This event is part of TD’s Then and Now series, an inspiring and entertaining cultural showcase of one of Canada’s prominent communities. The lineup of events includes films, concerts, exhibitions, and performances by a host of Canadian and international artists. Visit www.td.com/thenandnow for more information.

Sponsored by the TD Bank Group in partnership with Mariposa in the Schools.

For 2012 the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival is launching a new program, Drum Beats, featuring Black artists who provide performances, performance-demonstrations and workshops featuring drumming in GTA community centres, libraries, and schools, during Black History Month 2012. The performances will take place via community organizations, such as community centre and libraries – programs that are in high-demand during Black History Month, especially in libraries. This project will provide access to programming to economically challenged communities by providing subsidies should they require financial support. In this way, we will reach communities that would not normally have access to these artists and art forms.

Project Goals:

• Create opportunities that maximize exposure and involvement in drumming in community centres, libraries, as well as schools, in the GTA during 2012 Black History Month;
• Provide programming for communities during that feature drumming traditions of Africa and the Caribbean.
• Provide opportunities for local drummers to share their skills and who demonstrate excellence in their art form, are rooted in the traditions of Africa and the Caribbean traditions, and have demonstrated skills in working effectively with audiences of all ages.
• Engage children, youth and adults in drumming experiences that result in appreciation, understandings and respect of the roots, legacies, and traditions of Black drumming art forms, and their role and relevance today.

Featured artists are:

Njacko Backo (b. Cameroon) www.njackobacko.com

Muhtadi (b. Trinidad and Tobago) www.muhtadidrumfest.com

Michael St. George (b. Jamaica) dubbin@michaelstgeorge.com

Special guest drummers for community performances only are:

Amara Kante (Baro, Guinea)

Amadou Kiendou (Burkina Faso) www.amadoukienou.com

Programs

For schools and community venues, including libraries:

Muhtadi

Heart Beats – performance and workshop

Participants/students are introduced to the drum – the heart beat of all music – featuring rhythms and drums from around the world including Afro-Cuban conga, Latin American timbales, the jimbe from Senegal  and the shekeree from Africa.

Njacko Backo

African Voyages Africains – performance*

Njacko shares the music and stories of his native Cameroon in a highly participatory performance.

We are One With The Drum: A 5-day workshop series*.  Participants/students experience daily village life in Cameroon by learning to play percussion instruments made from every day objects and build a repertoire of African songs and dance steps.

Toumkak: A workshop on instrument and music-making*.

* All programs are available for core and immersion French students, grades k to eight.

Michael St. George

Dub Me With Poetry – A performance demonstration and/or workshop.  Drawing upon  the roots in the African oral tradition of the Griots, students are introduced to the contemporary spoken word art form, inspired with perceptive lyrics and driven by the captivating cadence of the reggae beat. Students create their own dub poetry piece in 1-5 day workshop series that can include a student showcase. For grades six to eight, and nine to twelve.

Public performances for community venues, libraries only, featuring

Ivory Coast and West African Drumming Traditions:

Amara Kante

Ivory Coast drummer and dancer, has vast repertoire of diverse music and dance influences and specializes in traditional rhythms from the Hamanah region of Guinea, West Africa – the heart and soul of traditional Malinke music and culture. He has been performing at the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival since 2007, and has provided many workshops in Toronto for both professional and non-professional drummers and dancers.

Amadou Keinou

Born in Ouagadougou at Burkina Faso, Amadou Kienou is the 7th son of a family of praise singers from Dafing origin. Praise singers (Griots) are popular and renowned dancers and singers in Ouagadougou, in Burkina Faso. His repertoire consists of songs, dances and musical soundings of the Mandingue rhythms, some of which he has adapted for the drum. During his solo concerts, Amadou demonstrates his mastery of the djembe and plays it with talent and ease, endlessly offering new and rich sounds in an astonishing and creative way. Amadou visits Toronto often and has also been a featured drummer at the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival.

Muhtadi and the World Drummers

Performance and demonstration with Muhtadi and the members of the World Drummers

For more information or to book a program for schools or community venues contact:

Mariposa In The Schools (MITS)

Dolores Anderson, Executive Director
Tel: 416 462 9400 Toll Free in Ontario 1-888-255-6487 Fax 416-462-0871
info@mariposaintheschools.ca
www.mariposaintheschools.ca

Presents DRUM BEATS

This event is part of Then and Now, a series of events celebrating Black History Month. Visit for event listing

Program Schedule:

Jan 30 to Feb 2: Njacko Backo – Drum/Dance workshops; grades 1-2  Humewood Community School, York

Feb 2: Muhtadi and World Drummers TPL – Downsview Branch

Feb 3: Njacko Backo, African Voyages Africains, K-12 Park Lane Public School, North York

Feb 6: Njacko Backo, African Voyages Africains George Kennedy PS, Georgetown

Feb 7: Njacko Backo, African Voyages Africains TPL- Lillian Smith Branch, Toronto

Feb 7: Muhtadi, HeartBeats TPL – Long Branch Branch

Feb 8: Njacko Backo, African Voyages AfricainsTPL – Jane/Sheppard Branch

Feb 8: Michael St. George, Dub Me With Poetry performance; grades tba TPL – Gerrard Ashdale Branch

Feb 13 to 17:  Njacko Backo, We Are One With The Drum workshop series, gr. 6;

Feb 17 – Student showcasePope Paul II School, Bolton

Feb 15: Muhtadi, HeartbeatsTPL – Sanderson Branch

Feb 15: Michael St. George, Dub Me With Poetry performance; grades tba TPL – Davenport Branch

Feb 17: Muhtadi, HeartBeats TPL – Woodview Branch

Feb 21: Michael St. George, Dub Me With Poetry performance; grades tba TPL – Branch

Feb 24: Njacko Backo, African Voyages Africains, performance, grades K-8 St. Vincent de Paul School, Markham

Feb 27 to Mar 2: Njacko  Backo, We Are One With The Drum workshop series Corpus Christi School, Mississauga

Feb 28: Michael St. George, Dub Me With Poetry, school program, grades tba  TPL – Morningside Branch

As a master Afro-Cuban percussionist, Joaquin has worked closely with other great clinicians such as Giovanni Hidalgo & Nii Tettey Tetteh. Joaquin has also organized cultural retreats to Cuba providing his students the opportunity of experiencing the authenticity of Cuban culture first hand and financially supporting the development of music programs in Cuba.

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Mike Slocombe 416-407-4488 Email: media@muhtadidrumfest.com

Please view the video interview with the Founder and Artistic Director of the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival, Muhtadi Thomas about the nature of rhythm and the drum:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SS-38BbR-k

For additional information about the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival, please visit: http://www.muhtadidrumfest.com
call 416-848-3838,

Follow us on Twitter @muhtadidrum Facebook http://bit.ly/eOKx6c

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The 12th Annual Muhtadi International Drumming Festival is proud to announce the Performance Schedule for this weekend at Queen’s Park North, Main Stage.   2011 special guests, the Tivoli Drummers, representing Grenada headline the Festivals international performers representing cultures from Africa, North America, South America, Europe, India, Japan, China, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, South Korea, and the Middle East.

Main Stage

Thousands of people will come together for one of the most unique musical gatherings in the the world, unified by one single instrument-the all powerful drum. The two-day festival features performances by local and international drummers, representing at least a dozen world cultures.

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Mike Slocombe 416-407-4488 Email: media@muhtadidrumfest.com

Please view the video interview with the Founder and Artistic Director of the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival, Muhtadi Thomas about the nature of rhythm and the drum:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SS-38BbR-k

For additional information about the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival, please visit: http://www.muhtadidrumfest.com
call 416-848-3838,

Follow us on Twitter @muhtadidrum Facebook http://bit.ly/eOKx6c

# # #

Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and Dr. Rita Cox to address the audience at the Festival Opening Ceremony

Drummers and musicians come together for Toronto’s annual international drumming festival which will celebrate its 12th anniversary on June 4th and 5th 2011.  Toronto will be treated to international drummers representing cultures from Africa, North America, South America, Europe, India, Japan, China, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, South Korea, and the Middle East.
*WHAT: *

12th Annual Muhtadi International Drumming Festival Opening Ceremonies and Remarks (Video and Photo Op)

*WHEN: *

Saturday June 4th 12:00-12:45 pm

*WHERE: *

Queen’s Park North, Toronto, ON M7A 1A6 MAIN STAGE

*WHO: *

Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism

Jason Kenney was appointed Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism on October 30, 2008. He was reappointed to the portfolio on May 18, 2011 and given the added responsibility of Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Operations. The committee provides day-to-day coordination of the government’s agenda, including issues management, legislation and house planning, and communications.

Jason Kenney was first elected to the House of Commons in 1997 and has been re-elected five times.

He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister in 2006, and Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity) in 2007.

Mr. Kenney was born in Ontario and raised in Saskatchewan, where he graduated from Notre Dame College. He did undergraduate studies in philosophy at the St. Ignatius Institute of the University of San Francisco.

Mr. Kenney is a former Chair of the House of Commons Subcommittee on International Human Rights. He served in a variety of positions in Opposition, including Finance Critic and Deputy House Leader.

Prior to seeking election, Mr. Kenney served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

Dr. Rita Cox

Dr. Rita Cox is recognized as a ‘Canadian icon’ who is a librarian by profession, renowned storyteller and admired as a leader in the community. She has been described as “an exceptional individual who, through her love of the spoken and written word, has inspired people of all ages and has opened the literary world to her audiences.”

Dr. Cox joined the Toronto Public Library as a children’s librarian in 1960. In 1972, she became the head of the Parkdale Branch, and launched literacy programs and other initiatives that promoted multiculturalism throughout Toronto. During her tenure, in 1973, Dr. Cox pioneered the library’s Black Heritage and West Indian Resource Collection, which was renamed in 1998 to the Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection. It soon became one of the most comprehensive collections of its kind in Canada and today, continues to be a source of pride in the community.

An active member of the Black community, Dr. Cox established “Cumbayah”, a festival of Black heritage and storytelling. A number of her stories have been published, including her own children’s book entitled, How Trouble Made the Monkey Eat Pepper. A renowned storyteller who has entertained audiences worldwide, she has also maintained the Toronto Public Library’s storytelling legacy by training a whole new generation of storytellers, many of whom are current library staff. After her retirement from the Toronto Public Library in 1995, Dr. Cox was appointed a Citizenship Court Judge by the Government of Canada.

Dr. Rita Cox has won numerous awards, including the Canadian Library Association’s Public Service Award and the Black Achievement Award (1986). In 1997, Dr. Cox was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for her outstanding work in storytelling and literacy. Both Wilfrid Laurier University and York University have awarded her honorary doctorates.

*WHY:*

Thousands of people will come together for one of the most unique musical gatherings in the the world, unified by one single instrument-the all powerful drum. The two-day festival features non-stop performances by local and international drummers, representing at least a dozen world cultures.

Canadian Jazz icon Archie Alleyn, will perform on the second stage, named in his honour and present some of the youth acts including Samba Kidz, Parkview Public School, Alexander Muir Middle School and Frank Oak Secondary Public School.

Children’s Play Area, ethnic cuisine, exotic arts and crafts, Workshop programs.

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Mike Slocombe 416-407-4488 Email: media@muhtadidrumfest.com

Please view the video interview with the Founder and Artistic Director of the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival, Muhtadi Thomas about the nature of rhythm and the drum:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SS-38BbR-k

For additional information about the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival, please visit: http://www.muhtadidrumfest.com
call 416-848-3838,

Follow us on Twitter @muhtadidrum Facebook http://bit.ly/eOKx6c

# # #

This festival — the largest percussion-based event of its kind in Canada — ushers in the summer season of cultural events that make Toronto such an inviting place in which to live. Spectators are sure to be entertained by the range of drumming styles and cultural traditions featured over the course of the next three days and will come away with a better appreciation of the unifying force of this universal art form.

I would like to commend MIDF for their efforts to promote cross-cultural understanding and respect through the celebration of the drum. Special thanks are also due to all of the business and community sponsors and volunteers for making this popular event such a resounding success year after year.

Please accept my best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable festival.

The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.

Click to view the Message

*Drumming Up Support for 12 Years of Rhythm for Youth in Toronto *

Drummers and musicians come together for Toronto’s annual international drumming festival which will celebrate its 12th anniversary on June 4th and 5th 2011.  Toronto will be treated to international drummers representing cultures from Africa, North America, South America, Europe, India, Japan, China, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, South Korea, and the Middle East.

*WHAT: *

12th Annual Muhtadi International Drumming Festival

*WHEN: *

Thursday June 2nd from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at the Wynchwood Barns (601 Chistie Street). An evening where the artists and friends of the festival will mingle to kick off the festival.

Saturday June 4th 10:00am to 12:00pm the festival PARADE from Ramsden Park to Queen’s Park featuring many of the festival acts.

Sartuday June 4th from 12:00pm to 10:00pm. The festival at Queen’s Park North. Come and enjoy cultural percussive rhythms from around the world. A family friendly event with lots of food, arts and crafts from around the world.

Sunday June 5th from 12:00pm to 10:00pm. The festival continues at Queen’s Park North. Live percussive music with international artist and lots of family friendly things to do.

*WHERE: *

Queen’s Park North, Toronto, ON M7A 1A6

*WHO: *

Featuring The Tivoli Drummers a Afro-Caribbean group based in the village of Tivoli, in the parish of St. Andrew, Grenada

Samba Squad (Brazilian rhythms)
Baro Dununba (Traditional West African and Diasporic rhythms)
Isshin Diako (Traditional)
Hummingbird Tassa Group (Trinidad)
Archie Alleyne Evolution of Jazz Ensemble (Jazz)
Beyond Sound (Traditional)
CADRE Drum Ensemble (Rudimental)
Dhol Circle (Traditional)
DRUMHAND (Percussion-Dance-Jazz)
Kwon Soon Keun (Korea)
Maracatu Mar Aberto (Afro Brazilian)
Muhtadi World Drummers (West African)
Njacko Backo (Cameroon Contemporary African)
Northern China Waist Drum Group
Northern Legs Southern Fists (Kung Fu, Dragon and Lion Dance Team)
Raging Asian Women – RAW (All female Taiko drumming group)
Rumba Y’ado (Cuba)
Samu Nori (Korea)
Symphonic Steel Drum Band
The Resolutionaries Marimba Band (Zimbabwe)
TalanaBlu (Tassa)

*WHY:*

Thousands of people will come together for one of the most unique musical gatherings in the the world, unified by one single instrument-the all powerful drum. The two-day festival features non-stop performances by local and international drummers, representing at least a dozen world cultures.

Canadian Jazz icon Archie Alleyn, will perform on the second stage, named in his honour and present some of the youth acts including Samba Kidz, Parkview Public School, Alexander Muir Middle School and Frank Oak Secondary Public School.

Children’s Play Area, ethnic cuisine, exotic arts and crafts, Workshop programs.

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Mike Slocombe 416-407-4488 Email: media@muhtadidrumfest.com

Please view the video interview with the Founder and Artistic Director of the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival, Muhtadi Thomas about the nature of rhythm and the drum:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SS-38BbR-k

For additional information about the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival, please visit: http://www.muhtadidrumfest.com
call 416-848-3838,

Follow us on Twitter @muhtadidrum Facebook http://bit.ly/eOKx6c

# # #

Toronto (Canada) – April 21, 2011 -  Drummers and musicians representing four countries and three continents will come together at The Berkeley Church, 315 Queen Street East, April 29^th, for a joyous night of percussion to raise funds for the 12^th Annual Muhtadi International Drumming Festival.

Experience a night of unforgettable pulsating entertainment and support one of Toronto’s most important not-for-profit organizations, led by acclaimed premiere percussionist, Muhtadi Thomas who recently won the prestigious 2011 Black Business and Professional Association (BPPA) Harry Jerome Award in the entertainment category for his work with at-risk-youth in the black community.

Each year the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival, the largest percussion-based event of its kind in Canada, presents over 30 live performances, free of charge.  This year the festival will be held June 4th and 5^th at Queen’s Park.

The April 29th fund raiser at the Berkeley Church promises to be a night to remember.  Featured drummers will include West African group, Baro Dununba, Isshin Daiko, (Japanese Taiko drummers), the Brazilian Samba Squad, and the traditional West African Muhtadi & the World Drummers. Special performances will be provided by Muhtadi and Anwar Khalid plus a surprise guest and world music sets by DJ Verlia of CKLN.  There will be a Silent Auction, as well as a Cash Bar and Food at the event.

The proceeds of the Berkeley Church fund raiser will go directly towards the costs of producing this year’s free festival so your attendance and support will be greatly appreciated. In addition the donations will help Muhtadi continue his valuable work with disadvantaged youth. Doors open at 7 pm with show time starting at 8 pm. Advance tickets are $15 and at  http://www.muhtadidrumfest.com or at African Drums & Art Crafts (618 Dundas Street West). Door tickets will be $20.

For more information about the Fundraiser or to arrange interviews,
please contact: Mike Slocombe 416-407-4488 Email: media@muhtadidrumfest.com

For additional information about the Muhtadi International Drumming
Festival, please visit: http://www.muhtadidrumfest.com
call 416-848-3838,

Follow us on Twitter @muhtadidrum Facebook http://bit.ly/eOKx6c