Muhtadi International Drumming Festival presents el ¡Tambor! 

Woodbine Park, Toronto, ON Canada
June 9-10, 2012

The 13th Annual Edition of The Muhtadi International Drumming Festival Changes Location to Woodbine Park.

Toronto (Canada) – April 17, 2012 –  It’s official: The 13th Annual Muhtadi International Drumming Festival presents el ¡Tambor! will occupy the grounds of Woodbine Park on June 9th and 10th, 2012.

The Muhtadi International Drumming Festival (MIDF) celebrates the drum (el ¡Tambor! in Spanish), its universality as an art form, and its presence in all cultures around the world. MIDF is the only annual festival in North America celebrating the drum. It is a free festival that is gaining additional recognition year after year. The event promises to be a 2 day family-friendly celebration full of multicultural performances and passionate, artistic people.

Adding to the experience, MIDF hosts a wide variety of vendors with an array of cultural garbs, jewelry, and ethnic foods. It is a festival where all cultures come together, drumming and dancing to one beat!

WHEN:

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

Saturday June 9th from 12:00pm to 10:00pm. Muhtadi International Drumming Festival presents el ¡Tambor! at Woodbine Park - Coxwell Boulevard and Lake Shore Boulevard East, Toronto, ON Canada. 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 10th from 12:00pm to 8:00pm. Muhtadi International Drumming Festival presents el ¡Tambor! continues atWoodbine Park - Coxwell Boulevard and Lake Shore Boulevard East, Toronto, ON Canada. Live percussive music with international artists and lots of family friendly things to do.

WHERE:

Woodbine Park Corner of Lake Shore Boulevard East and Coxwell Ave.

WHO:

Confirmed artists include:  Iyá Iré (Cuba), Maracatu Mar Aberto (Brazilian), Samba Squad (Brazilian), Rumba Y’ado (Cuba), Archie Alleyne Evolution of Jazz Ensemble (Jazz), Beyond Sound (Traditional), Baro Dununba (Traditional West African and Diasporic rhythms), Isshin Diako (Japan Traditional), Muhtadi & the World Drummers (West African), Njacko Backo (Cameroon Contemporary African)
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.

Additional performers, artists and workshops will be announced over the coming weeks.

Muhtadi International Drumming Festival presents el ¡Tambor!  Includes a Children’s Play Area, ethnic cuisine, exotic arts and crafts, workshop programs and for the adults in the crowd a strategically placed expanded refreshment area with a great vantage point of the main stage.

In previous years, the festival has taken place outdoors at Queen’s Park North, featuring over 30 drumming groups that display the diverse cultural traditions and drumming styles from various countries. This year the festival moves east to Woodbine Park, right across the street from Ashbridges Bay.

Woodbine Park is a part of the larger Beaches area in Toronto; a community known for its vibrancy, natural surroundings and great outdoor sound stage – a perfect location for this year’s MIDF because it mirrors the festival’s characteristics.

The park is situated at the corner of Coxwell Boulevard and Lake Shore Boulevard East. It is known to play host to various other summer festivals including the Beaches International Jazz Festival and the Beach BBQ and Brew Fest. Muhtadi International Drumming, the not-for-profit organization behind MIDF is excited to bring live music and dance to the versatile Woodbine Park because it’s well suited for their growing and energetic festival.

For more information about the Festival, to obtain high resolution assets or to arrange interviews, please contact:

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 www.facebook.com/muhtadidrumfest

# # #

 

A night of rhythm and drums @ 918 Bathurst: The Annual Fundraiser for the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival.

Toronto (Canada) – April 1, 2012 –   Come early as CU (Casineros Unidos) Productions will be presenting a complimentary Salsa Lesson when the doors open at 7 p.m.  Headliners Sons of Afro-Cuban SouI Iyá Iré will be performing at the cultural arts venue 918 Bathurst Street,  April 21st, for an eclectic and energetic night of dancing and percussion to raise funds for the 13^th Annual Muhtadi International Drumming Festival.

CU (Casineros Unidos) Productions is a production company dedicated to the growth and development of latin dance and music, particularly salsa and timba. To this end, the group promotes salsa parties/concerts, performs choreographed routines at events and offers dance classes. The CU Productions team thrives on innovation and is known for their energy, professionalism and ability to bring together dancers, teachers, performers and event planners locally and internationally. The group is also keen on the importance of social responsibility and regularly combines philanthropic efforts with their work.

Dance classes at CU focus on fun, social dancing, centered on strong fundamentals – key principles that give rise to all the “moves” in salsa and other latin dances. These elements remain consistent, regardless of the moves you are doing or what is happening around you on the dance floor, and we believe this is the key to becoming better dancers. The more you understand the basics, the more fun you will have while dancing!

In this introductory salsa lesson, you will learn the basics of timing, rhythm, footwork, frame, connection with your partner and having fun! You will learn some basic moves, and you may also learn Rueda de Casino (or “salsa wheel”), and execute moves synchronized by a caller. Rueda is a very popular way to dance the Cuban salsa known as Casino!

The April 21st fundraiser at 918 Bathurst Street promises to be a night to remember.  Headlined by Afro-Cuban Drum Ensemble, Iyá Iré, Afro-Cuban Drum Ensemble, who will get your feet moving while performing Guaguancó, Columbia, Yambu, plus music for the Orishas, Abakuá, and even a little Conga! Special Guests Muhtadi & The World Drummers (Traditional West African) will be opening the night and  there will be sets featuring the distinct signature sounds of DJ Corey Dawkins spinning soulful Afro Latin house, neo soul & more.    

The proceeds of the 918 Bathurst Street fundraiser will go directly towards the costs of producing this year’s free festival so your attendance and support will be greatly appreciated. Doors open at 7 pm with complimentary Salsa lessons from 7-8 pm and the opening act taking the stage at 8 pm. Advance tickets are $20 and are available at  http://www.muhtadidrumfest.com or at

African Drums & Art Crafts (618 Dundas Street West)

Play De Record (357 Yonge Street)

Rotate This (801 Queen Street West)

Soundscapes (527 College Street)

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 9th and 10th.

For more information about the fundraiser, to obtain high resolution assets or to arrange interviews, please contact:

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://www.facebook.com/pages/Muhtadi-International-Drumming-Festival/169074829804175

# # #

 

A night of rhythm and drums @ 918 Bathurst: The Annual Fundraiser for the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival.

Toronto (Canada) – March 19, 2012 –  Sons of Afro-Cuban SouI Iyá Iré will be performing at the cultural arts venue 918 Bathurst Street,  April 21st, for an eclectic and energetic night of dancing and percussion to raise funds for the 13^th Annual Muhtadi International Drumming Festival.

The April 21st fundraiser at 918 Bathurst Street promises to be a night to remember.  Headlined by Afro-Cuban Drum Ensemble, Iyá Iré, Afro-Cuban Drum Ensemble, who will get your feet moving while performing Guaguancó, Columbia, Yambu, plus music for the Orishas, Abakuá, and even a little Conga! Special Guests Muhtadi & The World Drummers (Traditional West African) will be opening the night and  there will be sets featuring the distinct signature sounds of DJ Corey Dawkins spinning soulful Afro Latin house, neo soul & more.  Come early as CU (Casineros Unidos) Productions will be presenting a complimentary Salsa Lesson.  In this introductory salsa lesson, you will learn the basics of timing, rhythm, footwork, frame, connection with your partner and having fun!  You will learn some basic moves, and you may also learn Rueda de Casino (or “salsa wheel”), where couples dance in a circle and exchange partners and execute moves synchronized by a caller.  Rueda is a very popular way to dance the Cuban salsa known as Casino!

The proceeds of the 918 Bathurst Street fundraiser will go directly towards the costs of producing this year’s free festival so your attendance and support will be greatly appreciated. Doors open at 7 pm with complimentary Salsa lessons from 7-8 pm and the opening act taking the stage at 8 pm. Advance tickets are $20 and are available at  http://www.muhtadidrumfest.com or at

African Drums & Art Crafts (618 Dundas Street West)

Play De Record (357 Yonge Street)

Rotate This (801 Queen Street West)

Soundscapes (527 College Street)

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 9th and 10th.

The organization concluded a successful program this past February; Muhtadi International Drumming Festival Presents Drum Beats which featured Black artists who executed performances, performance-demonstrations and workshops featuring drumming in GTA community centres, libraries, and schools.  Drum Beats was held to celebrate Black History Month 2012.  The program was sponsored by the TD Bank Group and presented in partnership with Mariposa In The Schools.

For more information about the fundraiser, to obtain high resolution assets or to arrange interviews, please contact:

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://www.facebook.com/pages/Muhtadi-International-Drumming-Festival/169074829804175

# # #

 

Presents DRUM BEATS

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

Photos by Katherine Fleitas All Rights Reserved. To order a Hi Quality Print go to Peace Photo

Drum Beats Photos

MIDF Presents DRUM BEATS — Black History Month – An Evening of Celebration of the Drum and Black Culture Drum Beats, a free showcase Reception with Drumming Performances, An Animated Display of African Drums, Art Works by Local Black Visual Artists was held on Thursday February 16th at The Artscape Wychwood Barns located at St. Clair and Christie Sts. 601 Christie Street, Toronto, ON M6G 4C7. This event was 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. 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

16 Photos

Drum Beats 2012 Njacko Backo

Njacko Backo MIDF Presents DRUM BEATS February 16th, 2012 at The Artscape Wychwood Barns

Musically and spiritually, Njacko draws on the lessons he learned in Africa from his musical family, mentors and village life. Like most children in his village, he began playing percussion and making instruments at age three. However, with his Grandmother’s assistance, Njacko met with the elders of the village who taught him to play music starting with the hand drum (toumkak), kalimba (thumb piano), and African harp (zaa koua and ngoni).

Njacko has grown his band’s sound to include a world flavour by blending traditional instruments (kalimba, djembe, ngoni…) with more modern sounds (bass guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, accordion, flute, drum kit…) and other traditional percussion (bata from Cuba, tabla from India, berimbau from the Bahamas…).

11 Photos

Drum Beats 2012 Beyond Sound

Drum Beats 2012 Beyond Sound MIDF Presents DRUM BEATS February 16th, 2012 at The Artscape Wychwood Barns

Beyond Sound is a new generation of drummers in Toronto. They are a collaboration of independent young artist and youth from Ballet Creole, COBA and Ngoma. These drummers have come together to honour their friend and brother Khaleel Alred-Fenton who passed away from cancer in 2009.

4 Photos

Drum Beats 2012 Amara Kante, Amadou Keinou

Amara Kante MIDF Presents DRUM BEATS February 16th, 2012 at The Artscape Wychwood Barns

Amara Kante was born in Abidjan, the Ivory Coast the early 70s. Amara comes from the Forger cast of the Guinean Malinke people, who traditionally specialise in Metallurgy and nature based spirituality. Amara started playing with his friends with he was 5 years old and at the age of 7 was summoned to play with the legendary Ballet Koteba in Abidjan. His ability to master a wide range of instruments, such as dunduns, bara, n'tama and krin, his encyclopaedic memory of rhythms and his exceptional djembe technique, soon led to his acknowledgement of his status as a master drummer. After his move to Guinea, Amara also played with the legendary Ballet Africains.

Amadou Keinou MIDF Presents DRUM BEATS February 16th, 2012 at The Artscape Wychwood Barns

Amadou uses a new and unique way of conceiving music and performing it in a spectacular way. Due to the deep experience the Kienous have from their musical backgrounds, Amadou is able to draw upon this and demonstrate it during his live shows. He has a deep and varied Mandingue repertoire and mastery of the instruments is fundamental.

17 Photos

Drum Beats 2012 Muhtadi & The World Drummers

Muhtadi & The World Drummers MIDF Presents DRUM BEATS February 16th, 2012 at The Artscape Wychwood Barns

Community based djembe ensemble composed by members that are music lovers of various ages and ethnicities led by Muhtadi Thomas, Master Drummer. Class after class we develop and perfect our drumming skills and celebrate the drum united by its rhythm. Drumming together has established community bond allowing us to connect together on a level where there exits only magic, enchantment and joy.

3 Photos

Drum Beats 2012 Michael St. George

Michael St. George MIDF Presents DRUM BEATS February 16th, 2012 at The Artscape Wychwood Barns



Dub poet Michael St. George inspires audiences with perceptive, original lyrics and melodic sound fusing Reggae, Jazz, and Pop influences. Currently working on his fourth album called The Ital Suite, St. George is a dynamic artist who has shared stage and studio with icons such as Oku Onuora, Culture, Burning Spear, Lillian Allen, Luciano, Thomas Mapfumo, Mutabaruka, Dennis Bovell, Toots and the Maytals, Boukman Eksperyans, among others. St. George’s most recent album "Dubbin’ De Vibes" fuses vibrant writing with diverse musical styles including jazz, reggae, and more. His latest recording “Hey! Hey! (De-Compartmentalize-I)”, an inspired collaborative piece, was produced in the UK with critically-acclaimed Fusing Naked Beats’ DJ Asif.

3 Photos

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

Linkedin http://linkd.in/oHec9H

# # #

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

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

# # #

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

# # #

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

# # #