In celebration of Black History Month, Black Artists’ Networks in Dialogue (BAND) and TD present Then & Now, a series of inspiring cultural events showcasing the past and present accomplishments of Black Canadians in six cities from coast to coast.
The 2014 Then & Now series features a dynamic lineup of arts and cultural events including theatre, concerts, exhibitions, live performances and symposiums by Canadian and international artists. Events will take place in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax, and give Canadians an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the contributions and achievements of those of African ancestry.
The series, curated by BAND, runs primarily throughout Black History Month in February with events starting as early as January 7, 2014 and extending to March 16, 2014.
Select 2014 programming includes Toronto Harbourfront Centre‘s Kuumba, (February 7 – 9) a three-day celebration of Toronto’s African and Caribbean communities showcasing works by innovative emerging Canadian and international artists; Ottawa’s Speaking of Black Hockey, a visual and oral celebration of the soul of Black hockey; Black Strathcona, an interactive new media project, celebrates Vancouver’s Black community that thrived in the east-end neighbourhood from the 1920s to the 1970s; and The Mother Club Stage Play, a story that combines the rich traditions of rural Black Nova Scotia with a fictional tale of survival.
“Connecting Black culture to Canadian communities through the arts is a priority for us at BAND. Through meaningful collaboration with TD, we were able to develop the 2014 Then & Now series which features over 60 multidisciplinary projects, celebrating Black arts, culture and heritage,” says BAND Chair, Karen Carter. “We hope this year’s programming will educate and inspire Canadians to develop a better understanding of Canada’s Black cultural communities.”
Now in its seventh year, Then & Now has showcased more than 300 Black History Month events, and this year, has expanded west to include events in Calgary and Vancouver.
For more information visit www.band-rand.com
Leave a Reply