This year, the awards gala will be hosted by Michael Clemons and his wife Diane, a superb Jazz vocalist who will also perfom. Best known as “Pinball” for his star performance in football, Michael also served as Head Coach before becoming the CEO of the Toronto Argonauts, one of North America’s leading clubs. He is also a celebrated motivational speaker, with a tender heart for our youth. Michael and his wife also run the Michael “Pinball” Clemons Foundation, with projects in Africa.

Also visit the Planet Africa web site for more info on the awards and recepients.

Jaivah performing alongside Yinka Farinde & the Afrobeat Band.

Date : Saturday, October 24, 2009
Time : VIP Reception : 6 PM; Dinner : 7 PM
Venue : International Centre, The New Orion Ballroom, 6900 Airport Road, Toronto
Tickets : Advance $80; Door $100
Info & Tickets : www.PlanetAfrica.net, 416.247.5777

In colourful celebration of African heritage, the Committee to Commemorate and Memorialize the Abolition of the Slave Trades proudly presents the CMAST Pan African Film & Literary Festival!

This colourful 3-day event will highlight exclusive film screenings, literary readings and multi-genre performance artists representing Canada, the Caribbean, Continental Africa, and their respective Diasporas.

The Committee to Commemorate and Memorialize the Abolition of the Slave Trades (C.M.A.S.T.) is a community-based coalition formed to encourage education about the 200th anniversary of the British Parliament’s legislation to end the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and to develop bicentenary commemorative events in the Greater Toronto Area.

Dates : Friday October 30, 2009 6-10pm. Saturday & Sunday October 31 & November 1, 2009 1-8pm. Jaivah performing on Saturday afternoon.
Venue : William Doo Auditorium, 45 Wilcox St @ Spadina, Toronto
Info : FaceBook Event

Every Friday night belly dancers from the Arabesque Dance Company perform to the live accompaniment of the breathtaking Arabesque Orchestra. The dancing is hot. It’s also an opportunity to hear Arabic music performed by some of the finest musicians around. Artists include Bassam Bishara on lead Vocals and Oude, Walid Najjar on Keyboard, Eddy Suleiman Violin, Khaled Maotassem back up Vocals, Suleiman Warwar Dumbek, Milad Daher Riq and Katim, George Barbas Dohola and Sebastian Gatto Katim.

Dates : Friday October 23, 2009
Venue : Myth, 417 Danforth @ Chester, Toronto
Admission : No Cover!
Info : FaceBook Group, www.LayaliArabesque.com
Table Reservation : 416.461.8383