Afro Ascension

at Luminato in the Square

Curated by the the Global Coalition Against Systemic Racism and for Reparations, Fondation Michaëlle Jean Foundation, and Luminato Festival Toronto

Sunday, June 9
1pm - 11pm
David Pecaut Square

Free

Afro Ascension celebrates the tremendous global impact of Black artists from Canada and abroad. The evening will be headlined by Grammy-winning Somali-Canadian rapper K’naan, and will also feature Haitian-Canadian musician Vox Sambou, Puerto Rican trombonist William Cepeda, Cuban hip-hop/dancehall queen La Dame Blanche, and Ghanian singer-songwriter Rocky Dawuni, all coming together for the highly anticipated third edition of the International Concert Against Racism. 

There’ll be plenty of family activities throughout the day, including an Afrobeats and Reggae set by R.I.S.E. Edutainment, a dancehall lesson led by Edz Gyamfi and a percussion workshop by steelpan musician Joy Lapps (first-timers welcome!) Explore Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) photo exhibition ‘Side by Side’ and create interactive art with MSF and Oddside Arts. If film is your thing, don't miss a sneak peak of Sounds & Pressure: Reggae in a Foreign Land, part of the National Film Board’s love letter to reggae. 

Hosted by CBC's Leah-Simone Bowen and Randell Adjei.

Performers and Activities

Schedule 1pm - 11pm

The Global Coalition Against Systemic Racism and for Reparations is a Worldwide Anti-Racist Community that brings together diverse actors, sectors, institutions, organizations, companies, and individuals to promote a culture that ensures dignity and seeks reparations for the victims of antiblack racism, colonialism, and enslavement. We believe in using art as a tool to raise awareness, social commitment, and public engagement for the eradication of systemic injustice against people of African descent and to generate a powerful collective consciousness that demands justice. Because of this, we have created the International Concert Against Racism to promote a message of respect, equity, and human rights for all. 

Event Supporters

With Assistance From

Bureau du Québec à Toronto

Accessibility

Getting there

David Pecaut Square
215 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3G2

Taking GO? Get to Union Station with GO Transit, and from there it’s a short walk or TTC connection to Luminato events.