Performing Diaspora Concerts take place at York University 4700 Keele Street, Toronto

Performing Diaspora 2009 is a celebration of Africanist dance and music during Black History month at York University and the neighbouring community of University Heights at Jane and Finch (also known as Black Creek). This month-long series of performances, workshops, artist talks, school visits and community events serves as a catalyst to bring university and community together to celebrate and engage with African and African Diasporic arts and culture. Performing Diaspora is the innovative flagship project of The Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on the Global Migrations of African Peoples. Located at York University in the heart of Toronto’s African Diaspora communities, Box Office the Institute’s aim is to strengthen the understanding and 416.736.5888 www.yorku.ca/perform leadership necessary to develop prosperous, harmonious multicultural communities. Performing Diaspora is produced and Performing Diaspora’s wide range of events and activities presented by The Harriet Tubman Institute for Research will animate venues at York University, University Heights’ on the Global Migrations of African Peoples in Yorkgate Centre and neighbourhood schools, supporting partnership with the Faculty of Fine Arts and Faculty of the development of valuable educational tools to enhance Education and with sponsorship from the Department student understanding. This program will reveal, through of Dance, Department of Music, Fine Arts Student and the power of the performing arts, the history and culture Academic Services, and Founders College. Additional of Africa and its Diaspora. supporters include the Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies and York University-TD Curator of Performing Diaspora: Community Engagement Centre as well as the Faculty Danielle Robinson, Ph.D. of Arts, Stong College, Winters College, Winters College Director of the Tubman Institute: Student Council, York University, and Music Africa. Paul Lovejoy, Ph.D., F.R.S.C.

www.yorku.ca/tubman photo: Carol Friedman photo: Carol

Rights/Rites of Passage West African Drum & Dance Showcase SOLO KORA CONCERT Randy Weston’s with Malinke masters Ballaké Sissoko African Rhythms Solo Piano Concert Billy Nankouma Konaté & Sani Abu February 5 ~ 7:30 pm February 13 ~ 8:00 pm February 28 ~ 7:00 pm Tribute Communities Recital Hall, Accolade East Building Tribute Communities Recital Hall, Accolade East Building Founders Assembly Hall, 152 Founders College Admission: $25 | $15 students & seniors Admission: $40 | $25 students & seniors Admission: $10

World music icon Ballaké Sissoko, one of the world’s Jazz legend Randy Weston takes centre stage in this Djembe master Billy Nankouma Konaté and dancer/ greatest soloists on the traditional Manding kora, makes showcase performance spotlighting his consummate choreographer Sani Abu join forces in this joyous a rare North American appearance in this concert. A command of the keyboard and his visionary approach celebration of Malinke performance traditions. The renowned performer with leading jelimuso bands in his to music-making. With a dazzling international concert is the culmination of a two-week artist-in- native Mali, Sissoko captured international attention performance career spanning six decades, the composer residency by Konaté and Abu at York University. Joining through his tours and recordings with bluesman Taj of Hi-Fly, Little Niles, Berkshire Blues and African them on stage are students and West African performance Mahal and kora player Toumani Diabate. A master Cookbook is at the peak of his power. Encompassing the artists from the local community. improviser, he helped redefine the modern language vast rhythmic heritage of Africa infused with the soul of Guinean-born Konaté learned traditional Malinke fêtes and expressive capabilities of the kora while pioneering jazz, his boundary-breaking music continues to inform from his father, master percussionist Famoudou Konaté, adventurous cross-cultural collaborations. and inspire. with whom he has toured internationally. He now shares his talent and cultural heritage with a new generation of Artist’s Talk and Q&A Artist’s Talk and Q&A artists in Germany and Guinea. Abu launched his career with Uyi-Edo Dance Theatre with Ballaké Sissoko with Randy Weston in his native Nigeria and went on to perform with many (in French with English translation) February 13 ~ 1:30 pm leading African-American dance companies including February 4 ~ 1:30 pm Alvin Ailey, The Seventh Principle and Michael Mao. Tribute Communities Recital Hall, Accolade East Building McLean Performance Studio, 244 Accolade East Building Free admission He heads his own traditional African dance company, Free admission ijo vudu Dance International, in Toronto.