Concert Series

African Arts Institute presents three concerts per year.

The summer concert is DRUM SUMMIT: outdoors and free, providing the vibe of an African village outdoors, with a come and go vibe, and many activities happening for people of all ages to participate in and enjoy. In this concert, a large community drumming circle takes place right in the middle of the audience! Participants are invited to bring their own drum to the concert, or to share in one that is provided. As well as enjoyed a performance, there’s learning and participation – a very exciting and fun event!

In the fall, a new African Arts Symposium brings artist talks, hands-on workshops, and an intimate indoor concert in a smaller venue. This is an opportunity to engage hands on with some of the artists who will be featured in the concert – a chance to learn a craft, understand the context of the art form, and gain a deeper appreciation.

The winter concert is themed Africa and the World: in a large indoor venue, bringing the warmth of an African village inside – an exciting artistic experience brightening the winter months. This concert features guest artists from different cultures as well as a headliner from around Canada or the world.

Upcoming events

African Arts Institute is proud to announce a new event: Africa and the World Arts Symposium, happening October 15-17 in Belleville, Ontario.

This concert is the culminating event of the symposium, and features a performance by Master Drummer and Griot Amadou Kienou Folila and his group.

Audience members are invited to join in a free community dinner with African and Caribbean caterers.

The event will also showcase local visual artists in an exhibition connected to the concert. With these artists, coupled with a lively dinner and exciting performance in the round, we hope to recreate the exciting and busy vibe of an African village.

Tickets: $15.00 + HST

Tickets available at Eventbrite or at the door if space permits. If paying at the door, please bring exact change ($16.95 all inclusive)

The affordable ticket price for this event is courtesy of funding from the City of Belleville, and the Government of Canada (Canada Arts Presentation Fund, and the Multicultural & Anti-Racism Program).

English follows below

Amadou Kienou: Maître du Tambour & Griot

Biographie

Le maître du tambour Amadou Kienou est originaire de Ouagadougou, au Burkina Faso, en Afrique de l’Ouest, qui faisait autrefois partie du vaste ancien empire mandingue. Descendant du peuple Dafin, Amadou a été initié en tant que djeli ou griot (historien oral), membre d’une longue lignée de griots dont le rôle est de préserver et de transmettre l’histoire, la culture et les valeurs de leur peuple. De nos jours, apportant le traditionnel au contemporain, Amadou ravit le public international avec son expression polyrythmique unique d’émotions et de souvenirs.

Le djembé est l’instrument principal d’Amadou. Comme il le décrit, “le djembé est plus qu’un instrument de musique; c’est une extension du musicien à travers laquelle il exprime sa vie, ses émotions.” La maîtrise du djembé exige toute une vie de discipline et de dévouement, ainsi que les conseils d’un maître de djembé, à condition, dans le cas d’Amadou, principalement par son père, le regretté Baba Kienou. Amadou joue plusieurs autres instruments traditionnels africains – les dunduns, le n’goni et le tama, sans oublier la guitare et la batterie occidentales.

En tant que djeli, musicien-compositeur, danseur, chorégraphe et instructeur, Amadou Kienou a été actif dans toute l’Amérique du Nord, l’Afrique, l’Europe, l’Asie, l’Inde et les Caraïbes. Il a joué et enregistré avec de nombreux grands artistes, dont Miriam Makeba, Manu Dibango, Angélique Kidjo, Salif Keita, Youssou N’dour et Kassav, et avec ses propres ensembles Fotéban et Djeli Sira (The Griot’s Path). En reconnaissance de son talent artistique, il a reçu de nombreux prix, dont celui du meilleur artiste de la scène africaine au Canada 2019, du meilleur artiste masculin de Radio Kilimandjaro en 2018 et de l’artiste masculin de l’année 2016, ambassadeur culturel du Burkina Faso au Canada. Amadou Kienou a été décoré chevalier de l’ordre du mérite des arts des, lettres et de la communication le 19 juin 2018 à Ottawa Canada.

Formellement reconnu comme un griot/maître du tambour dans son pays natal (et le seul au Canada), Amadou réside à Toronto depuis 2008, se produisant dans le monde entier et enseignant régulièrement des ateliers de danse et de batterie dans des écoles universitaires et lors de festivals à travers le pays. La maîtrise d’Amadou en anglais, en français, en allemand et dans la langue universelle du tambour lui permet d’atteindre un large public grâce à ses enseignements.

Amadou Kienou: Master Drummer & Griot

Biography

Master drummer Amadou Kienou hails from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, West Africa, once part of the vast ancient Mandingo Empire. A descendant of the Dafin people, Amadou was initiated as a djeli or griot (an oral historian), one of a long line of griots whose role is to preserve and transmit their people’s history, culture, and values. Nowadays, bringing the traditional to the contemporary, Amadou delights international audiences with his unique polyrhythmic expression of emotions and memories.

The djembe is Amadou’s principal instrument. As he describes it, “the djembe is more than a musical instrument; it is an extension of the musician through which he expresses his life, his emotions.” Mastery of the djembe requires a lifetime of discipline and dedication, and the guidance of a djembe master, provided, in Amadou’s case, primarily by his father, the late revered Baba Kienou. Amadou plays several other traditional African instruments – the dunduns, the n’goni, and the tama, not to mention the Western guitar and drum set.

As a djeli, musician-composer, dancer, choreographer, and instructor, Amadou Kienou has been active throughout North America, Africa, Europe, Asia, India, and the Caribbean. He has performed and recorded with many great artists, including Miriam Makeba, Manu Dibango, Angélique Kidjo, Sali, Youssou N’dour, and Kassav, and with his own ensembles Fotéban and Djeli Sira (The Griot’s Path). In recognition of his artistry, he has received numerous awards, including Best African Performing Artist in Canada 2019, Radio Kilimandjaro’s Best Male Performer of 2018 and Male Artist of the Year 2016, Cultural Ambassador of Burkina Faso in Canada. On June 19th, 2018, Amadou Kienou was awarded the Order of Merit of Arts, Letters and Communication, in Ottawa, Canada.

Formally recognized as a Griot/Master Drummer in his homeland (and the only one in Canada), Amadou has resided in Toronto since 2008, performing around the globe and regularly teaching dance and drumming workshops in schools, universitie, and at festivals throughout the nation. Amadou’s fluency in English, French, German and the universal language of the drum allows him to reach a large audience with his teachings.