Let’s go to the EX! Black Music Month Kicks off this Friday at the Canadian National Exhibition. Toronto-based charity, Blissues has curated an impressive lineup of events all month long at the CNE’s Withrow Common that celebrates the magic of Black Canadian artists.
Blissues, the brainchild of illustrious artist and activist pHoenix Pagliacci, is a charity dedicated to filling in the gaps in the Black community and beyond through finding the silver lining between bliss and issues.
Here are a few events to check out during Black Music Month.
1. Frequency Fridayz
First up is Frequency Fridayz, presented with Scarborough arts and culture staple, RISE Edutainment. Hosted by artist and educator Nathan Baya, the night runs from 6:00pm-9:00pm on Friday, June 10th and features some of Toronto’s most dynamic talent in hip-hop, R&B and afrobeat, including Sydanie, Asha Lee, Juvon Taylor, Manyenya, and Roundtable.
2. Dance Class Sundays
The good vibes flow into the weekend for Dance Class Sundays on Sunday, June 12th from 12:00pm to 3:00pm with three back-to-back dance workshops. Multifaceted dancer, poet, and author Shakkoi leads an African dance workshop at 12:00pm that is guaranteed to be enjoyable for the whole family. At 1:00pm, get ready to break a leg with hip hop and break dance choreographer Benzo. The afternoon ends on a high note at 2:00pm with a lively (and TikTok worthy) Vogue workshop from Irv Washington.
3. AFROWAVETO’s Album Release Party
The festivities continue into the following week on Thursday, June 16th at 8:00pm, for AFROWAVETO’s Album Release Party. The album, “AFROWAVETO VOL 1”, is the first of its kind and features 21 of the city’s most talented up and coming African Canadian and Latinx artists. The show boasts a plethora of eclectic performances from Borelson, Looch Bodega, Bugatti Bonsu, Ferivas and more. Oh, and food and drinks are included in the $10 ticket!
4. BLK Frames: Our Perspective of Black Men through Art Exhibit
Blissues then teams up with Black Men’s Style to host BLK Frames: Our Perspective of Black Men through Art Exhibit on Saturday, June 18th from 1:00pm-6:00pm. The event is dedicated to redefining what it means to be a Black man through a showcase of visual art, live painting, poetry and musical performances.
5. F.A.M. Night: Fashion Art Music
The festivities conclude the following week with F.A.M. Night: Fashion Art Music on Thursday, June 23rd and RISE: Open Mic Night on Monday, June 27th.
Seeing local urban talent celebrated at a platform like The CNE is an incredible feat for the Black music community in Toronto. We hope that this partnership is the first of many more to come.
Happy Black Music Month!
Purchase event tickets below
RISE: Frequency Fridayz | Friday, June 10th, 2022 | 6:00pm-9:00pm
Dance Class Sundays | Sunday, June 12th, 2022 | 12:00pm-3:00pm
AFROWAVETO Album Release Party | Thursday, June 16th, 2022 | 8:00pm-11:00pm
BLK Frames: Our Perspective of Black Men through Art Exhibit | Saturday, June 18th, 2022 | 1:00pm-6:00pm
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