Music Africa Presents 27th Annual Afrofest 2015, July 4-5, 2015, Woodbine Park

TORONTO - May 29, 2015 - PRLog -- Toronto’s largest celebration of African music, heritage and culture is back for its 27th year! Afrofest 2015 will take place Saturday July 4th and Sunday July 5th, at Woodbine Park, Lakeshore Boulevard East and Coxwell Avenue. Presented by Music Africa, in partnership with Africa New Music, the vibrant two day outdoor festival is a chance to immerse oneself in the beauty and diversity of the African continent.

Peter Toh, President of Music Africa, says that this years’ theme will include many acts from the African Diaspora. "The major theme is always the celebration of African culture and we are happy to be able highlight the contribution of African culture to the Americas,” says Toh.

The festival will feature performances by top international groups and local stars of African music, along with dancing, drumming and theatre. This year’s outstanding Main Stage line up will feature Kassav (Martinique & Guadeloupe), Wenge Music – Nouvelle Generation (DRC), Zal Sissokho, Sergio Perere & Chico Antonio (Senegal/Brazil/Mozambique), San Fan Thomas (Cameroon), Cheka Katenen Dioubate (Guinea), Tich Maredza Band (Zimbabwe) and more.

The popular Baobab Stage will have non-stop activity including music and dance workshops as well as performances by the rising stars of African music. Maria Da Silva (Angola) Esie Mensah (Ghana), Pulga (Mozambique), Chelsea Stewart (Jamaica), Akin Busari (Nigeria), Destiny (Trinidad) and more.

The TORONTO 2015 Pam Am Games Torch Relay will also pay a special visit to the event, with the Pan Am flame arriving at the celebration in Toronto on Sunday July 5th.

The Creative Village provides organized fun and educational activities for children and parents. Crafts activities, learn about traditional face painting and much more to learn and surprise.

In the bustling African marketplace there will be an eclectic display of authentic African arts, crafts and traditional dishes representing the culinary scene of Africa and the Diaspora. The marketplace is indeed as much of an attraction as any of the performing acts!

Afrofest has truly become a summer tradition. For the past few years Afrofest has grown to become the largest free African festival event in North America!

This year, 89.5 FM CIUT will be returning to broadcast the event LIVE in Southern Ontario and worldwide at www.ciut.fm. Live video feed of the event will also be available at afrofest.ca.

Full Afrofest 2015 program will be updated at www.afrofest.ca

About Afrofest

Afrofest is an annual musical festival that celebrates African culture and brings together many African communities. Many of the greatest stars of African music have performed at the event including Hugh Masekela, Papa Wemba, Amampondo, Oumou Sangare, African Guitar Summit, Mzwakhe Mbuli, Thomas Mapfumo, Oliver Mtukudzi and many other ambassadors of African culture. With over 100,000 people attending over the weekend the festival is the largest annual gathering of African communities in Canada.

Held annually since 1989, Afrofest is a showcase of the rich and diverse African culture. With a bustling marketplace, food and craft vendors, artistic displays, a Children’s Village, a drum stage, music workshops, and organized fun and educational activities for youth and children, the festival provides guaranteed fun for the whole family. Afrofest is the biggest annual African music event in North America. The free festival welcomes people of all ethnicities and communities and is a chance to discover Africa in the heart of Toronto.

About Music Africa:

Music Africa is a non-profit community-based organization whose main objective is to promote African music in Toronto through the Afrofest music festival and other occasional events. Established in 1990, Music Africa is among the oldest and most respected organizations promoting African music in Canada.

Music Africa also supports the activities of other non-profit cultural organizations through partnerships for various events. Through its activities, Music Africa is committed to enhancing appreciation and awareness of African music among Canadians while also striving to establish Toronto as a thriving global centre for African music.

Music Africa gratefully acknowledges the funding support of the Department of Canadian Heritage, Celebrate Ontario, Ontario Arts Council and Toronto Arts Council.

www.musicafrica.ca

For media information, please contact: (416) 469 5336