Caliban Arts Theatre Festival
June 12-25, 2023
2 Weeks of Eclectic Pan-African Arts Presentations
at CONTXT by Trane, 254 Lansdowne Ave
WEEK 1, JUNE 12 – 18, 2023
MONDAY, JUNE 12
Festival Launch
Conversations in CONTXT: Black Theatre Canada, 50 years later
Join us as we go back in time for a peek at early African-Canadian theatre in Toronto.
GUEST SPEAKERS
- Amah Harris, co-director, Black Theatre Canada
- ahdri zhina mandiela, founder, b current
- Luther Hansraj, veteran Toronto actor
Time: Doors 6:30 pm, Talk 7:30 pm
Admission: FREE
OPENING MONDAY, JUNE 12
Reminisce Over You
art by Ilene Sova & Kalmplex
A devotional exhibition featuring painted portraits that celebrate the heroic, groundbreaking, and complex qualities of some of our leading culture makers. Visit: ilenesova.com | kalmplex.com
Exhibition runs until August 31
Meet the artists during our festival launch
Time: 6:30 – 10:00 pm
Admission: FREE
FRIDAY, JUNE 16
The Soul Jazz Collective
A soul jazz live session, featuring Maurice Gordon (g), Rick MacIntosh (keys), Norman Jones (dr, perc), and Brendan Davis (b).
POSTPONED
SUNDAY, JUNE 18
Good Afternoon
with DJ Curtis Smith
An afternoon of soul, house, and avant-garde R&B.
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
FREE EVENT
WEEK 2, JUNE 19 – 25, 2023
MONDAY, JUNE 19
Kahil El’Zabar & David Murray
Golden Sea Duo Tour
El’Zabar has performed with luminaries like Dizzy Gillespie, Pharoah Sanders, Nina Simone, and Ntozake Shange. Murray, a two-time Grammy winner, is considered to be the most influential tenor saxophonist of his generation.
Time: Doors 6:30 pm, Concert 7:30 pm
Admission: $45 adv. / $55 door
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21
Daughters of the Dust
dir. Julie Dash
Film in CONTXT: A story of spirituality and family on a South Carolina island. This landmark 1991 indie film was the first feature directed by an African-American woman, distributed theatrically in the United States.
POSTPONED
THURSDAY, JUNE 22
Do the Right Thing
dir. Spike Lee
Film in CONTXT: Racial tensions simmer between African-American residents and the Italian owners of a local pizzeria. With Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Martin Lawrence, and John Turturro.
POSTPONED
FRIDAY, JUNE 23
Victor Jones Trio
“Plays for Tyner”
A night of original music honouring the legacy of American jazz pianist McCoy Tyner.
Featuring Roberta Piket (p), Alex Blake (b), and Victor Jones (dr)
Time: Doors 6:30 pm, Concert 7:30 pm
Admission: $40 adv. / $50 door
SATURDAY, JUNE 24
Victor Jones Trio
“Plays for Blakey”
An evening of original music honouring the legacy of American jazz drummer Art Blakey.
Featuring Roberta Piket (p), Alex Blake (b), and Victor Jones (dr)
Time: Doors 6:30 pm, Concert 7:30 pm
Admission: $40 adv. / $50 door
SUNDAY, JUNE 25
Good Afternoon
with DJ Curtis Smith
An afternoon of soul, house, and avant-garde R&B.
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
FREE EVENT
Registrations are closed for this event
PURCHASE FESTIVAL PASSES
Get access to any and all festival related events.
FESTIVAL LOCATION:
CONTXT by Trane
254 Lansdowne Avenue
Ground floor
Toronto, ON M6H 3X9
contxtbytrane.com
Venue inquiries:
info@contxtbytrane.com
Media inquiries:
inquire@morenamedia.com
This festival is in recognition of Caliban Arts Theatre’s 25th anniversary, which we would have celebrated in the summer of 2021.
We did not launch the event due to the pandemic. We have lost many friends, artists and supporters since. This festival is in part for the memories of ones lost.
We look forward to being present with you. Please share the word and your time.
* Programming is subject to change