TAN – The Afro News

Prince Performing

By michelle-lee : Prince wowed audiences in his two sold out shows at the Air Canada Centre.  The age-defying 53-year old superstar of entertainment hardly stopped for a breath as he pounded out hit after hit, all newly re-worked to perfection, for more than three hours.  Backed by his band The New Power Generation that included three powerful female singers and saxophonist Maceo Parker, Prince keeps the music fresh with old favorites (i.e. “When Doves Cry”, I Would Die 4 U”, etc). sounding like new as he played encore after encore.  He has lost absolutely none of the mesmerizing stage presence that began 30 years ago and will probably go on for another 30.  The ACC gig was the first stop on his Cross-Canada Tour.  Although he has released several albums since his monster “Purple Rain” hit it was the “oldies” that the crowd reacted to as they rocked the ACC in every corner including the balconies.

Prince Performing

The Toronto Blue Jays honor all-star second baseman Roberto Alomar

Sports Briefs  MLB: The Toronto Blue Jays honor all-star second baseman Roberto Alomar at the Rogers Centre on July 31^st.  A week prior, Alomar became the first player to enter Baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. wearing a Blue Jays cap. Read the full story

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto

Schedule of Events – July 12 – 31

July 12:         Official launch – David Pecault Square, 55 John St. @ King St. W.

14:         Royal Ontario Museum – Caribbean costumes & photo exhibit – to Aug. 14

15:         GTAA launch – Pearson International Airport – Caribbean entertainment & food

16       Junior Carnival – 3Km parade – route from Yorkgate Mall

21: CTV/CP24 Barbeque – 299 Queen St. W.

22: Carnival Gala – Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex, 25 British Columbia Dr.

23: Kaiso 365 – Calypso Monarch Finals – P.C. Ho Theatre Chinese Club Centre,

5183 Sheppard Ed., Scarborough

27: Calypso Stars Showcase – Harbourfcront Centre

28: King & Queen competition & Show – Allan Lamport Stadium, 1151 King St. W.

29: Pan Alive – Allan Lamport Stadium, 1151 King St. W.

30: Grand Parade – Exhibition Place, and Lakeshore Blvd

31: Grace Tropical Rhythm Food Festival – food, music, dance, Ontario Place 995 Lakeshore Blvd.

31: Canada Rugby League International Test Match – Team Canada vs. Jamaica’s National Team.  Fletcher’s Field, 2743 19^th Ave. E., Markham, Ont.

Two young Somali-Canadian girls went missing from their homes in Toronto in early January

Two young Somali-Canadian girls went missing from their homes in Toronto in early January and have since emailed their families that they are in Somalia.  It is believed the girls, both of whom were attending university, were recruited by Al-Shabaab.  The Shabaab, branded a terrorist organization, is reportedly fighting Somalia’s government and has been called Somalia’s Taliban.  Read the full story

TIME: 7 PM  ,Admission $6.00  Sponsored by National Congress of Black Women Foundation ,Canadian Association of Black Lawyers

EVENT 2

‘When the Spirit Moves’. A Musical Concert

Venue -  University Women’s Club (Hycroft) 1489 McRae  Avenue Vancouver, V6H 1V1

Program – Ballroom – Silent Auction & Reception – Main floor  Time 5:00 PM  Showtime   6:00PM – Admission $27.00

Artists Are: Dee Daniels Jazz -Shauntay Grant Halifax Poet Laureate Shanise Brown – Albert Sohun -Scruff Mouth – Marion Landers & Others – A Nina Simone , Four Women

EVENT 3

Talk Back – Connecting Through Arts and Conversations

Sunday Feb 20, 2011 1pm to 4 pm

Djavad Mowfaghian Word Art Centre (2nd floor).

149 W. Hastings, enter via the Cordova Street Courtyard

Panelist & Performers are: Henry Daniels, Selwyn Jacob, Marion Landers, Shauntay Grant, Albert Smith – Chancz Perry – Judith Maxie

Admission by Donation

CONTACT  604 605 0124

Event at  The centre of Integration

February 5 Opening Ceremony, featuring $5/person Children under 10 free

February 12 ‘Mi Amor…The…’ Valentines Dinner & Dance $80/couple $45/single

Price includes dinner, rose, champagne; One night’s stay @ Executive Inn for the best dressed couple; Lots of prizes to win

February 18: An evening of Unique African Art, featuring International Artist Yared Nigussu 5:30pm

February 19 : Youth buffet dinner, dance-off competition 6:30pm – 11:00pm $10 (ages 14 – 17)

February 20 :   Youth movie night  4:30pm $2

February 26 : 9th Annual Black History Market & Cultural Showcase 10:00am – 4:00pm $5 Vendors book your tables @ $60

February 26 ‘Back in Time’ Dinner & Dance 8:00pm – 1:30am $20

811 Carnarvon Street, New Westminster For tickets contact: 604 759 0240 info@ciia-ciai.com

February 12th, 2011 at Douglas College, New Westminster several professionals and artist from around the Lower Mainland will be volunteering their time for this three-hour event to speaker to a large, diverse audience on different “hot-button” topics important to youth, young adults and adults.

This symposium welcomes all people to join together and become inspired by this special event that honours Black History in Canada. This will be the 3rd annual Youth Symposium in Room 1614 of the Douglas College Campus on 700 Royal Avenue in New Westminster.

Organise by Urban youth Association   604 375 2369

FEBRUARY 21, 2011

INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY

Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre

181 Roundhouse Mews

Vancouver, BC V6Z 2W3  VANCOUVER, BC

6:00PM More  information

hakiza@neighborhoodcare.org 604 349 2420

The Nanaimo African Heritage Society

Located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Kickoff Concert: Feb 6th At the Brechin United Church!!

This is a fundraiser event, proceeds will go to the NAHS.

call 250-729-9332

www.nanaimoafricanheritagesociety.com

February 23, 2011 (9pm–2am) Fortune Sound Club (147 E. Pender St.)

Shaolin Soul: Foundations of Wu is a tribute to the musical inspirations of The

Wu-Tang Clan, as showcased in the group’s Shaolin Soul albums. The event is in

honor of Black History Month and will feature a Soul Train Dance-Off competition.

In partnership with Vancouver’s Templeton Secondary School (727 Templeton

Drive), fifty percent of all proceeds will go to the school’s music program. We

are also collecting new and used instruments for their students.

This event is co-produced by DJ Lady Lane, Don’t Lose Your Day Job (NYC),

NADATODO.COM, and DJ Cherchez La Femme.  DJ SHE and friends

Tickets  in advance — $10  at the door — $12

For sponsorship inquiries, or to donate musical instruments to Templeton Secondary

School, please contact Anastasia Koutalianos of NADATODO.COM at

anastasia@nadatodo.com or 604-568-0190.

Spirit of Africa Festival 2011 Feb. 19 (12:30-4:45 workshops and 8:00pm night show) at the Wise Hall and Feb. 20 (1:30pm until 4:30pm and 7:30pm show) at St. James Hall

Day 1:
Workshops
12:30 pm drum circle open to all with Munkie, Sandi an Ron
3:00 pm West African voice and harmonies workshop with the Afro-pop band H’SAO (Chad/Montreal)

Show
Afropop sensations from Chad/Montreal H’SAO, with opening local group of musicians and dancers (Yoro Noukoussi, Kurai Mubaiwa, Jacky Essombe & Navaro Franco) and special guest dancer ETIENNE CAPKO (Benin/Seattle).

DAY 2:
Workshops ($5-10 sliding scale each workshop)
1:30 pm Zimbabwean music and singing workshop with artists Kurai Mubaiwa and Navaro Franco
2:30 pm Beninese dance and music workshop with Etienne Cakpo and Yoro Noukoussi
3:30 pm Guinean Drumming Workshop with the Africa Wali Guinean Ensemble (lead by Manimou Camara)

Show ($15 advance/$18 door or $25 in advance/$30 door for two shows (with Sunday show))
African Wali Guinean Drum & Dance Ensemble, Aché Brasil and Kunaka Marimba

More information: http://www.caravanbc.com and @VanAfricaFest for updates on Black History Month events, news and links to educational pages.

MiRadi Society African Experiences Dessert Evening

SATURDAY FEB 26, 7 – 9 PM

This is a free networking evening featuring music by SHIRIKA Band. Come meet others interested in improving living conditions in rural Africa. ROSS ROAD COMMUNITY CHURCH, 3160 ROSS Rd. ABBOTSFORD. For more info Email info@miradi.ca, Call 604 866 2459 or go to www.miradi.ca.

Black History Month  Toronto

Living the Black Canadian Experience: Throughout February the Toronto Public Library will feature visits and interviews by established and emerging authors, spoken word poets, musicians and journalists.  Events to take place across the city.  Also more than 1,600 items are held in the Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection.

Feb. 4,5: The Evolution of Gospel Music kicking off Black History Month with a powerful live stage production that journeys from the early days of Negro spirituals, through the turmoil of the 60s, to today’s contemporary urban music scene. This production features live music, drama and dance.

Global Kingdom Ministries, 1250 Markham Rd., Scarborough.  7PM (doors open 6PM) Advance Tickets: $25, Door: $30. Youth Matinee (students only) 10:30 AM Feb. 4. Tickets available online: www.evolutionofgospelmusic.com or call 905.794.1139

Feb. 6: Markham African Caribbean Association will honour former Chief of Police, Armand La Barge.  3:PM SHARP. Sheraton Parkway Hotel, 600 Highway 7 E. Richmond Hill, Ont.  Tickets: $50. Call: 905.479.5827

Feb. 10: Richard Pierpoint & The Coloured Corps of Upper Canada – an illustrated presentation with author, Steve Pitt. – 1 PM. This hour-long presentation will include fascinating objects and an exciting musket firing demonstration. It is included with regular admission to the Fort.

MacKenzie House: Saturdays and Sundays in February, 12 to 5 p.m.
Visit Mackenzie House on weekends in February and learn more about the early Black community in Toronto, including those who published newspapers. Print a souvenir bookmark in the recreated 1850′s printshop! Included with admission. Adults: $5.71; Seniors/Youth: $2.62; Children: $2.38 (plus Tax) Groups: Please call 416-392-6915 to make a booking.

Feb. 26: Black History Month Award Ceremony:  Ghanaian Presbyterian Church, 51 Highmeadow Place.  4 PM.  To recognize 10 adults and 4 youth who have met the criteria in volunteering in their community.

Mar 26:  The University of the West Indies Toronto Benefit Gala.  Four Season Hotel.  The event is to benefit the University’s Scholarship Fund.

Mighty Harry Jerome

Black History Month Celebration in Vancouver BC CANADA

Jamaican-born, Toronto resident, Kwasi Kafele recently became the first non-Krobo to be named Chief of the Traditional Area. (ManyaKrobo is situated in Ghana,

By michelle-lee The Afro News Ontario

Jamaican-born, Toronto resident, Kwasi Kafele recently became the first non-Krobo to be named Chief of the Traditional Area. (ManyaKrobo is situated in Ghana, east of the capital Accra). Read the full story

Black Business and Professional entrepreneurs

The Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) hosted the first National Black Business and Professional Convention at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in Toronto on Thursday and Friday, November 4-5.   The theme of the conference was “Stimulating Dialogue, Breaking Barriers, Creating Opportunities.”

The event was very successful with a large attendance.  Over the two days some of Canada’s boldest and brightest leaders came together to present positive elements for growth opportunities for Black entrepreneurs and as a result of the encouraging feedback the organization has great expectations for the NBBPC convention in 2011.

BBPA thanks all their speakers, presenters, participants, special guests and other attendees for a most uplifting and informative convention.

Hubert Busby Jr. Named USL W-League Coach of the Year

By michelle-lee Toronto-born and Kingston, Ontario-raised Hubert Busby Jr. was named Coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC women’s team in December 2009.  The team was undefeated during the 2010 season but saw their hopes for a 3^rd title dashed by a 3-1 loss to the Buffalo Flash in the W-League championship Final at Harry Welch Stadium in Santa Clarita, California July 31^st.  The Whitecaps were without several players due to injury (Jodi-Ann Robinson, Kara Lang, Melissa Trancredi)

Read the full story

Black history In CANADA

Anthony Reznek is a publisher at Edmond Montgomery Publications in Toronto. In collaboration with several well-known authors he has published ‘Black History: Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas,” a four colour, 376-page hardcover book. The textbook will be used to give students a panoramic view of Black Canadian experiences along with an overview of Black History from early civilizations to the 21st century – from Africa to the Diaspora in the Caribbean and the Americas. The authors (Sadlier, Birkett, Grant, James, Van Beinum) “were interested in creating a resource with information that had not been available to them in a textbook when they were in high school” Reznek told School Libraries in Canada, the online journal of the Canadian Association for School Libraries. “They wanted to educate students in particular, and the broader community, in general, about Black History and its deep connections to the histories of Africa and the countries of this hemisphere”, he added.

The book has several features including: Description and brief analysis of specific landmark accomplishments in the visual arts, literature, music and architecture, sketches of Black leaders in politics, economics, philosophy, technology, social reform and the arts and a Teacher’s Resource that includes assessment and evaluations tools and strategies.

Textbook of African/Canadian

Andrew Parker, Senior VP of Emirates Airline withTransportation and Infrastructure Minister Shirley Bond, announce results of a study at Robson Square.

Emirates Airline  revealed findings of a study showing flights into Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary would bring an increase in tourism spend, taxes and jobs.

Read the full story