The City has reversed the restriction and authorized a two-day permit for this year's festival. We are now working with the permit office to finalize the logistical requirements for the weekend. Please monitor the official festival website for subsequent announcements regarding the full schedule.
May 16, 2016
Final supporters
The City of Toronto has limited Afrofest at Woodbine Park down to a one day event from its traditional two day (Saturday-Sunday) format. This move will not only make it difficult to organize a viable festival but also hinder its growth and community impact. The reasons given are that permissible sound levels and permitted time frames were exceeded in previous festivals. Afrofest organizers maintain that these allegations are inaccurate.
A brief history…
In 2000, Afrofest changed its format and became a two-day festival held Saturday to Sunday at Toronto’s Queen Park, a venue that became its home until 2012. By 2012, attendance grew to 100,000 visitors who attended the festival over two days.
Afrofest was seen by City of Toronto officials as having “outgrown” Queen’s Park and in 2012 the event was moved to Woodbine Park. The move was successfully managed and the festival continued to grow. Today, Afrofest attracts over 120,000 festival goers.
Afrofest started in 1989 and is the largest annual African music festival in North America. The festival, which draws a crowd of up to 60,000 daily, has become an extremely important African celebration locally and internationally. It has created an environment where communities come together as fellow Africans as well as provide a chance for the general public to experience and appreciate Africa’s cultural offerings.
Where we stand now…
Peter Toh, President of Music Africa, the organizers of Afrofest, called the decision completely unfair and discriminatory. “The sound company we employ works with most of the events at Woodbine Park, including Canada Day and Beaches Jazz festival concerts, and use the same sound equipment, crew and sound levels. The volume at Afrofest is no different than at those events but in our case they are being called violations.” Toh also added that the City had agreed, in writing, six months prior to Afrofest 2015 to allow it run later in order to accommodate a ceremony for the Pan Am Games, then just two weeks before the changed the permit conditions. “There seems to be no understanding of the contractual obligations we had, both to accommodating the Pan Am Torch Relay and to the headline act that followed”.
“Music Africa is always willing to work constructively with City of Toronto officials but it seems that while they wish us well, they in fact set conditions to jeopardize success. This seems in complete contradiction to Toronto’s official “Music City” initiatives”, Toh adds.
Music Africa is calling on all the supporters of Afrofest to write, phone or email the City Councillor, Mary Margaret McMahon ([email protected], 416-392-1376) and the Mayor John Tory ([email protected], 416-397-2489) to express your concerns about their decision.
In addition to voicing your concerns to fellow councillors, please sign this petition in support of maintaining our two day festival.
From more information visit our website www.afrofest.ca.
Additionally, you can contact Music Africa directly at 416.469.5336 or by email:
General: [email protected]
President: [email protected]
Thank you for your support!
Updates
March 17, 2016
We have reached the 2,500 signature threshold. I am currently drafting a formal letter to the City of Toronto to request a meeting regarding the schedule restrictions at Woodbine Park. Further updates will follow once I have a response from the municipal office.
Reached 2,500 supporters
March 17, 2016
Reached 1,000 supporters
March 16, 2016
Reached 100 supporters
March 7, 2016
1,706 Comments
I attend every year and the event is no louder than Blues Fest, Salsa on St Clair, Greek fest etc. The production companies that work with all these festivals can pull the plug at end time to ensure the agreement is fulfilled. They have done it before.
We are pleading that the AFRO FRIST festival remains two days, for some of us who can't go back home and show our children the African traditions these kind of gatherings brings back our culture and makes us happy and we fill at home. Thanks
This is a time when I am able to share the different types of African culture to my grandchildren. Over the years this has been an educational tool for myself and other members of my family and friends, Please keep this festival on for 2 days.
As a resident of Ashdale Ave near Queen, I fully support the continuation of Afrofest. It is a fantastic event that I look forward to each year. The complaints of a few small minded residents should not stop or scale back this wonderful festival.
Afrofest showcases a community and heritage that is an integral part of the City of Toronto. Reducing the timeframe of the event is unacceptable. Rather than reduce the time of the event, the city should work it's partners to find appropriate solutions.
The definition of discrimination: “The sound company we employ works with most of the events at Woodbine Park, including Canada Day and Beaches Jazz festival concerts, and use the same sound equipment, crew and sound levels. The volume at Afrofest is no different than at those events but in our case they are being called violations.” - white ally.
There are events at Woodbine park that last longer, meaning the past the hour limit, because these events start late and there are mostly events for youth ppl that go out of control and lots of police have to be around. Afrofest is a cultural and family event!!
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The City has reversed the restriction and authorized a two-day permit for this year's festival. We are now working with the permit office to finalize the logistical requirements for the weekend. Please monitor the official festival website for subsequent announcements regarding the full schedule.
May 16, 2016
Final supporters
The City of Toronto has limited Afrofest at Woodbine Park down to a one day event from its traditional two day (Saturday-Sunday) format. This move will not only make it difficult to organize a viable festival but also hinder its growth and community impact. The reasons given are that permissible sound levels and permitted time frames were exceeded in previous festivals. Afrofest organizers maintain that these allegations are inaccurate.
A brief history…
In 2000, Afrofest changed its format and became a two-day festival held Saturday to Sunday at Toronto’s Queen Park, a venue that became its home until 2012. By 2012, attendance grew to 100,000 visitors who attended the festival over two days.
Afrofest was seen by City of Toronto officials as having “outgrown” Queen’s Park and in 2012 the event was moved to Woodbine Park. The move was successfully managed and the festival continued to grow. Today, Afrofest attracts over 120,000 festival goers.
Afrofest started in 1989 and is the largest annual African music festival in North America. The festival, which draws a crowd of up to 60,000 daily, has become an extremely important African celebration locally and internationally. It has created an environment where communities come together as fellow Africans as well as provide a chance for the general public to experience and appreciate Africa’s cultural offerings.
Where we stand now…
Peter Toh, President of Music Africa, the organizers of Afrofest, called the decision completely unfair and discriminatory. “The sound company we employ works with most of the events at Woodbine Park, including Canada Day and Beaches Jazz festival concerts, and use the same sound equipment, crew and sound levels. The volume at Afrofest is no different than at those events but in our case they are being called violations.” Toh also added that the City had agreed, in writing, six months prior to Afrofest 2015 to allow it run later in order to accommodate a ceremony for the Pan Am Games, then just two weeks before the changed the permit conditions. “There seems to be no understanding of the contractual obligations we had, both to accommodating the Pan Am Torch Relay and to the headline act that followed”.
“Music Africa is always willing to work constructively with City of Toronto officials but it seems that while they wish us well, they in fact set conditions to jeopardize success. This seems in complete contradiction to Toronto’s official “Music City” initiatives”, Toh adds.
Music Africa is calling on all the supporters of Afrofest to write, phone or email the City Councillor, Mary Margaret McMahon ([email protected], 416-392-1376) and the Mayor John Tory ([email protected], 416-397-2489) to express your concerns about their decision.
In addition to voicing your concerns to fellow councillors, please sign this petition in support of maintaining our two day festival.
From more information visit our website www.afrofest.ca.
Additionally, you can contact Music Africa directly at 416.469.5336 or by email:
General: [email protected]
President: [email protected]
Thank you for your support!
Updates
March 17, 2016
We have reached the 2,500 signature threshold. I am currently drafting a formal letter to the City of Toronto to request a meeting regarding the schedule restrictions at Woodbine Park. Further updates will follow once I have a response from the municipal office.
Reached 2,500 supporters
March 17, 2016
Reached 1,000 supporters
March 16, 2016
Reached 100 supporters
March 7, 2016
1,706 Comments
Afrofest is good for 2 days because most of people come out on sunday as saturday everyone has other things to do. The city of Toronto is beautiful city, let's show our visitors that is not like any other city in the world with our diversity.
I attend every year and the event is no louder than Blues Fest, Salsa on St Clair, Greek fest etc. The production companies that work with all these festivals can pull the plug at end time to ensure the agreement is fulfilled. They have done it before.
We are pleading that the AFRO FRIST festival remains two days, for some of us who can't go back home and show our children the African traditions these kind of gatherings brings back our culture and makes us happy and we fill at home. Thanks
This is a time when I am able to share the different types of African culture to my grandchildren. Over the years this has been an educational tool for myself and other members of my family and friends, Please keep this festival on for 2 days.
As a resident of Ashdale Ave near Queen, I fully support the continuation of Afrofest. It is a fantastic event that I look forward to each year. The complaints of a few small minded residents should not stop or scale back this wonderful festival.
Afrofest showcases a community and heritage that is an integral part of the City of Toronto. Reducing the timeframe of the event is unacceptable. Rather than reduce the time of the event, the city should work it's partners to find appropriate solutions.
The definition of discrimination: “The sound company we employ works with most of the events at Woodbine Park, including Canada Day and Beaches Jazz festival concerts, and use the same sound equipment, crew and sound levels. The volume at Afrofest is no different than at those events but in our case they are being called violations.” - white ally.
There are events at Woodbine park that last longer, meaning the past the hour limit, because these events start late and there are mostly events for youth ppl that go out of control and lots of police have to be around. Afrofest is a cultural and family event!!
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Afrofest is good for 2 days because most of people come out on sunday as saturday everyone has other things to do. The city of Toronto is beautiful city, let's show our visitors that is not like any other city in the world with our diversity.