MEDIA RELEASE: OddSide Arts & Riverside BIA Celebrate with Afraspektion on August 6th, 2023.

OddSide Arts & Riverside BIA Celebrate with Afraspektion, a Family-Friendly Festival in the east end of Toronto on August 6th, 2023.

Discover the vibrant essence of Afraspektion, a celebration that honours and showcases the diverse contributions and creativity of the Afrodiaspora during Emancipation Month, as part of Riverside C’MON Sundays.

This August 2023 marks the third year of celebrating Emancipation Month in Ontario. Oddside Arts and the Riverside Business Improvement Area (BIA) invite everyone to continue the carnival weekend festivities at our family-friendly festival, Afraspektion. Mark your calendars for August 6th, 2pm – 7pm at Riverside Common Park (657 Queen E, just west of Queen/Broadview) in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood. Join us for a memorable opening ceremony, followed by a day filled with festival fun and entertainment for all ages. With the multitude of festivals happening in Toronto, Afraspektion stands out as a truly unique and family-friendly event that offers a great opportunity to relax and enjoy good food and entertainment.

Afraspektion is free to the public, we invite everyone to visit us for the following events:

  • 2 PM – The event kicks off with a warm welcome from Queen and Nico from Oddside Arts, the curators of Afraspektion.
  • 2:05 PM – Attendees are invited to a special Opening Ceremony led by Nenookaasi, followed by a Libations ceremony by Kemba Byam.
  • 2:35 PM – Everyone can enjoy the rhythmic tunes of Drumming with Emilie Jabouin.
  • 3:25 PM – Families are welcome to bring the kids and enjoy the mesmerizing Moko Jumbie Stilt Walkers.
  • 3:50 PM – Attendees can join in a friendly competition of Superhero Trivia with cosplayers TrinidadianSuga, WonderWoman905, and CosplayQ.
  • 5:00 PM – Those interested can participate in a Live Cooking Demonstration with Chef Nicholas and get their chef apron on.
  • 5:50 PM – Enjoy a lively House of Imperium Ballroom Performance.

Get ready for an eventful Sunday at Afraspektion with loads of free entertainment, giveaways and activities for everyone! Don’t miss out on this incredible experience—come join the fun and see it for yourself. More: https://riverside-to.com/ or follow on Instagram @riverside_bia and @oddsidearts

More About Afraspektion:

August 1, 2021, was the first time that Canada officially (according to Parliamentary Motion) recognized Emancipation Day, when the Slavery Abolition Act was enacted in 1834 to free enslaved Africans and their descendants in colonies of the Caribbean, Africa, South America and Canada.

Afraspektion is a way to celebrate and highlight the contributions and creativity of the Afrodiaspora, and honour the legacy of African Canadians. Afraspektion features family-friendly entertainment, art, a curated market, music, and activities.

Afraspektion is curated by Queen Kukoyi and Nico Taylor of Oddside Arts and co-hosted by the Riverside BIA, thanks to support from our generous community supporters: Riverside BIA, Hullmark,Toronto’s Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Government of Ontario’s Reconnect Ontario programme, Government of Canada’s Supporting Black Canadians Communities Initiative, and City of Toronto’s Main Street Innovation Fund

More About Riverside BIA & 2023 Events @ Riverside Common Park:

The Riverside BIA, established in 1980, is one of Canada’s first BIAs, located along Queen Street East between the Queen Street Viaduct to just past De Grassi Street. Rich in history, green spaces and public art, the BIA includes over 100 unique eateries, retails shops, boutiques and a range of professional services. More at https://riverside-to.com/

Riverside Common Park is located at 657 Queen Street East and was officially opened in October 2021. The Riverside BIA and community collaborators are working together to bring in regular activations on Sundays to this new community space in 2023. It’s all part of welcoming everyone to enjoy what our local business district and neighbourhood has to offer! Check out the full schedule of Sundays at The Common this summer and fall https://riverside-to.com/riverside-common-events/

More information about the Riverside BIA and/or Sundays @ Riverside Common contact:

Vinita Kalia – Acting Executive Director, Riverside BIA – office@riverside-to.com, 416-466-8167