African Arts Institute Celebrates

In honour of Black History month, African Arts Institute (AAI) will be presenting an exciting day of arts workshops and events in Belleville, ending with a concert for African arts at Bayside Secondary School. AAI is a non-profit organization headquartered in Belleville, Ontario, steered by a team of directors and volunteers who are committed to the promotion and management of African arts and culture, providing a platform where Africa’s arts, culture, and traditions are showcased and celebrated. 

On Saturday, February 10th, workshops will be hosted at the Belleville Public Library, beginning with a one hour introductory workshop at 10 AM with African drums such as djembe, kpanlogo, and gome, hosted by Performer, Choreographer and Master Drummer, Isaac Akrong. Learn proper technique, learn several parts to a song, and join in an ensemble that will shake the house! Along with playing, learn a bit about the history of the drums, how they are made, and the cultural significance of the music we will play.

Next, at 11:30 AM, Artist/Educator Emebet Belete will host a visual arts workshop inspired by the Colours of Africa introducing some of the mixed media collage techniques she uses in her own work and teaching. Participants will then have the opportunity to compose, design, and style their own works on canvas using a variety of provided materials.

At 2 PM, Author Nana Yaa Yeboaa hosts Ananse Storytelling. Oral tradition is key in Africa and elsewhere. Ananse stories originate in Ghana, West Africa, and are ancient stories that relate to the lives of everyday people – as relevant now as when they were created.

To finish the day, Montréal-based Cirque Kalabanté presents Afrique En Cirque at 7 PM at Bayside Secondary School in Belleville. This show symbolizes the strength, agility and joy of life found in African youth. A handful of daring acrobats, accompanied by their musicians, perform to the pulsating rhythm of the djembes of Guinea with their authentic and original choreography and acrobatics. With the melodious sound of the Kora, multidisciplinary Guinean Artist Yamoussa Bangoura transports audiences to a place where the diversity of traditional African arts are illuminated, and combined with the virtuosity of a modern North American Circus performance.

Tickets and more information for all these events can be found on AAI’s Eventbrite page.