Launching October 2nd, the Trane Studio and Caliban Arts Theatre introduce Toronto to the Afrikan Millennium Cultural Arts Feastival, a mixture of Afro-centric Music, Film, and Visual Arts, in honour of over 10,000 years of African culture and tradition.

The three month series of special events, concerts, and more, kicks off with a night of Afrikan Spirit drumming, leading into nights of live music, tributes to jazz greats of the past and present, and film series dealing with the Afrikan Diaspora experience.

With more than 80 professional concerts, the Arts Feastival offers a wealth of experience in Afrikan musical contributions of every genre, performed by both local and international artists.

In October, Trane Studio hosts concerts by Rich Brown and Rinse the Algorithm, the Shakura S'aida Quartet, Stella Chiweshe, Waleed Kush, Noa Bursie, Michael Pickett, and Washington Savage.

Included in the Feastival is the Afrikan Dialectic, an open dialogue series about life, politics, spirituality and more, followed in October by a four part showing of Spike Lee's powerful documentary When the Levee Broke, dealing with the impact of hurricane Katrina and government failings on New Orleans.

Redlight Poetry, a series of presentations and discussions of creative works, will bring literature and film to audiences through the month of November.

This is in addition to the ongoing Black Underground Project, a series of tribute concerts, showcasing musical legends of the past. Upcoming installments feature the work of Thelonious Monk, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone, Art Blakey, Charlie Parker, Sam Cooke, Luther Vandross, Bob Marley, and more.

Other notable performers during the Afrikan Millenium Feastival include, Philadelphia spoken word artist Ursula Rucker who brings a mix of sparse hip hop and funk inspired beats with poignant social commentary; Chicago saxophonist Ernest Dawkins; singer-songwriter, actor, and educator Josh White; three-time National Jazz Award nominees Kollage; and renowned percussionist and jazz innovator Kahil El'Zabar.

The featured visual artists for the Feastival are Syrus Ware, Angela Haynes, and Sandra Brewster, each adding to the ambience of the Trane for a month.

The Trane Studio is a venue for artists and audiences interested in experiencing Jazz as vibrant and contemporary music. Celebrating the history of Jazz while embracing and nurturing its current manifestations in African, Urban, Latin and World music styles, this intimate space presents an environment through music, visual art and food that is welcoming and relaxed. The Trane is a dedicated supporter of the local music scene, of Toronto art events, and of innovation and growth in contemporary Jazz.

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Available for interviews,
Frank Francis - The Trane Studio