FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Re: African Cultural Week and AfriCa Fest
VICTORIA, BC — May 20th, 22nd-25th, 27th-28th, 2017
VANCOUVER, BC – May 21st, 2017
SIDNEY, BC – May 27th, 2017
NANAIMO, BC – May 26th, 2017
On behalf of the Victoria African and Caribbean Cultural Society (VACCS) Pulchérie Mboussi is pleased to announce the fifth annual African Cultural Week Celebration and AfriCa Fest. This year, African Cultural Week will run from May 20th through to the culminating show, AfriCa Fest on May 27th. This weeklong celebration is the ultimate experience of African roots and will introduce first-rate, international African born artists to the art communities of Victoria, Vancouver, and Nanaimo.
For the first time, directly from Paris, we are pleased to present world renowned choreographer and dancer Merlin “The Enchanter” Nyakam. Born in Cameroon, Merlin has reached an international status for his interpretations and teachings of African and Afro-Contemporary dance. Merlin has and continues to enchant audiences around the world.
Special guests will include the Montreal-based African flutist Salif Sanou, Toronto-based master percussionist Amara Kanté, and Ottawa-based dundunfola player Fodé Soumah, Jacky Essombé & Yoro Noukoussi from Vancouver and definitively our local artists and drummers which include Jordan Hanson (Hand Drum Victoria), Bernard Henin (Kizomba/Salsa Victoria, and our Victoria famous Zumba instructor Isabel Santos.
Complimentary media passes are still available for the events below. Please contact vaccsociety@gmail.com to RSVP.
The Victoria African & Caribbean Cultural Society (VACCS) is a vibrant non-profit community organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the cultural heritage of the black diaspora in Greater Victoria, British Columbia, and Canada. For more information on VACCS, please visit us online at https://vaccsociety.blogspot.ca/
Contact:
Pulchérie Mboussi
Founder and Program Manager, AfriCa Fest and Victoria African & Caribbean Cultural Society
vaccsociety@gmail.com | 250.884.0379 | 250.885.0715
EVENT DETAILS:
May 20th, 2017
African Village Spirit Experience with Jacky Essombé!
Archie Browning Sport Center
1151 Esquimalt Road
6:30 – 10:30 pm
Afternoon workshops:
1:30 pm - Discover African Contemporary Dance with Merlin Nyakam
3:00 pm - West African Drumming with world-renowned Master percussionist Amara Kanté
May 21th, 2017
An Unforgettable Evening with Jacky Essombé and our AfriCa Fest special guests
The WISE Hall & Lounge
1882 Adanac St, Vancouver, BC
8:00pm - 12:30 am
Afternoon workshops:
4:00 pm - Discover African Contemporary Dance with Merlin Nyakam
5:45 pm - West African Drumming with world-renowned Master percussionist Amara Kanté
May 22th, 2017 AFRICAN DRUM & DANCE BOOT-CAMP
Oaklands Community Center, 2827 Belmont Avenue
2:00 – 3:30 Discover African Contemporary Dance with Merlin Nyakam (Cameroon)
4:00 – 5:30 Rhythms & Techniques Drumming workshop (Guinea)
6:00 – 7:30 Damba Dance with Simbad (Ghana)
May 23th, 2017 | The Dave Dunnet Community Theater | 2121 Cadboro Bay Rd
7 - 9:30 pm An Unforgettable Evening of African Traditional and Contemporary Dance Performance with Merlin Nyakam, Amara Kanté, Salif Sanou, Fodé Soumah, Simbab
May 24th, 2017 | Mary Winspear Centre | 2243 Beacon Avenue Sidney, BC
6:30 pm Workshop: Discover African Contemporary Dance with Merlin Nyakam
8:30 pm Workshop: West African Drumming with Amara Kanté
May 25th, 2017 |
FREE LUNCH CONCERT
Legislature 11:45 – 12-45 (to be confirmed)
Evening
Cook Village Community Center
380 Cook St #1, Victoria, BC
7:30 - 10:30pm African ROOTS Spirit Night: Music & dance ensemble
May 26th, 2017 | Beban Park Recreation Centre | 2300 Bowen RD, Nanaimo, BC
2:00 pm Discover African Contemporary Dance with Merlin Nyakam.
4:00 pm West African Drumming with world-renowned Master percussionist Amara Kanté.
5:00 pm Discover Damba Dance with Simbad (Ghana)
7:00 – 11:00 pm An Unforgettable Evening of African Rooted Food, Rhythms & Dance Performance.
May 27th, 2017 | Archie Browning Sport Center | 1151 Esquimalt RD, Victoria, BC
12 pm – 9 pm AfriCa Fest: A full day of activities for the whole family including drumming workshops and featuring live music ensembles. Market (craft & Food)
May 28th, 2017 TBD
2:30 - 9 pm La Matinée Dansante!: A great way to introduce friends and family to African dance and drumming
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