Kuumba brings another sensational lineup to Black History Month at Harbourfront Centre, Feb. 7-9

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Part of TD Then & Now Series

TORONTO, ON (January 14, 2014) – Harbourfront Centre gives Toronto a rich blend of Caribbean and African sounds and flavours at Kuumba (Feb. 7-9), part of the TD Then & Now Series and in association with Black Artists’ Network Dialogue (BAND).

For Black History Month, Kuumba explores and discusses whatidentitymeans in 2014. The curatorial lens of identity branches out from Harbourfront Centre’s The Big Idea, Legacy. Kuumba will challenge and address stereotypes while engaging the public to reflect on what the future has in store for today’s cultural scene.

Together identity and legacy will be woven in throughout the weekend events, including comedy, dance, film, panel discussions, workshops and family activities. Best of all, most events are free.

Highlights:

• Kuumba Comedy Night: Celebrating our Identity ($18) – Canada's top comedians hit the stage for an evening of hilarious stand-up performances. Features Trixx, Jay Martin, Nick Reynoldson and Marlon Palmer. Join the after party with DJ Lissa Monet.

• Our Legacy: The Big Chop – Witness men and women cutting off their hair to celebrate the beauty of black hair in its most natural form. Be part of live transformations and join the panel discussions.

• The Known Unknown: Identify – An urban showcase to uplift local and underground talent within the city. This year’s edition identifies with soul, rock and punk.

• A Season of Legacy – Join us for an intimate showcase of gospel artists who have established a 30-year legacy as pillars of Toronto's gospel community. Featuring Toronto Mass Choir and more.

• Soca On Ice (part of DJ Skate Nights) – Dr. Jay de Soca Prince brings crowds by the plenty year after year with Toronto’s hottest soca rhythms on the Natrel Rink. Skate rentals available. Hosted by CBC’s Dwight Drummond.

• Kuumba Family Postcards: Celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movements in Canada – Journey through history as you learn about the brave Canadian men, women and children who fought for their civil rights and for those who followed. Celebrate their legacy by writing postcards to the past as you consider how to create positive change in your own community. Share your legacy in our interactive installation or tweet it using #KuumbaLegacy.

The Big Idea: Legacy will be explored throughout 2014 as Harbourfront Centre celebrates its 40^th anniversary. Visit harbourfrontcentre.com/kuumba for Kuumba’s full event listings.

ABOUT HARBOURFRONT CENTRE
Harbourfront Centre is a Canadian charity operating the 10 prime acres of Toronto’s central waterfront as a free and open public site. We celebrate the multiplicities of cultures that comprise Canada and enliven the city through the creative imaginations of artists from across the country and around the globe.

ABOUT TD THEN & NOW SERIES
TD salutes the contributions of members of the black community to Canada by proudly sponsoring the Then & Now series of cultural events.

ABOUT BAND
Black Artists’ Networks in Dialog (BAND) is dedicated to supporting, documenting and showcasing the artistic and cultural contributions of Black Artists in Canada and abroad.

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