With the World Cup underway, it means that in exactly one month Queen’s Park in Toronto will be reverberating with the joyous sounds of Afrofest 2010. The final weekend of the World Cup, Africa’s first hosting of the most watched sporting event on the planet, falls on the same weekend as Afrofest. The final will be shown live in the park on two big screens.

Afrofest is a free festival of African music and culture presented by Music Africa in downtown Toronto. This year marks the 22nd annual Afrofest, it takes place on the weekend of Saturday July 10th and Sunday July 11th.

Musical superstar Meiway will be one of the headline acts. ‘The Genius of Bassam’ hails from Côte d’Ivoire, but he rules dance floors all across Africa. With 9 albums to his name over a recording career spanning 15 years, the award-winning creator of “Zoblazo” music will bring his gripping rhythms to the Afrofest main stage.

‘Zimbabwe ’s Rebel Woman’ Chiwoniso has already packed several lifetimes worth of honours and collaborations into her musical career. Fronting some of Southern Africa’s best musicians, she’ll perform the deeply uplifting songs that have made her one of the most exciting young talents in contemporary African music.

Other international acts include South Africa’s legendary Dizu Plaatjies, the always up tempo Bayuda du Congo from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the breath taking French-Cameroonian singer Muna Mingole. Also scheduled to perform is JP Buse ( Congo ), Masaisai ( Zimbabwe ), Waleed Kush ( Sudan ), and Soul Influence (an a cappella ensemble with members from Zimbabwe , Kenya , Ghana and Zambia ). And many more!!

Afrofest is a showcase of the richness and diversity of African culture. It is an event of song, dance, drumming and theatre, featuring world-renowned African music acts as well as dozens of highly-rated African musical groups based in Canada. With a bustling African marketplace, food and craft vendors, artistic displays, a Children’s Village, a drum stage, music and dance workshops, and organized fun and educational activities for youth and children.

Afrofest is the African cultural event of the summer! For more information see www.musicafrica.org, call 416-469-5336, or email info@musicafrica.org