The Sistahs Concert
Sundays at the Young
Sunday August 9, 2009
Tickets: $20, $5 (students and children)
Eight of Canada’s most powerful, most prominent, and most loved Black female vocalists will come together on the same stage, for two extraordinary concerts on one day. Don’t miss Molly Johnson, Jackie Richardson, Kellylee Evans, Ada Lee, Divine Brown, Toya Alexis, Alana Bridgewater and Shakura S’aida in a show guaranteed to blow the roof off! The Sistahs Concert is a coming-together of generations of Canadian talent, and a celebration of these women as performers, interpreters and songwriters. Musical Directed by Young Centre Resident Artist Andrew Craig, the programme includes solos and multi-generational duets, and culminates in awe-inspiring group numbers.
3:00pm Concert NO LONGER ON SALE |
7:00pm Concert NO LONGER ON SALE |
PLUS: Free Events - From the Nile to the Don
The Young Centre will be filled with free ancillary events celebrating the influence of African culture on our city! Find out more about our free events here >
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Toya Alexis is a platinum-selling R&B vocalist and actor, fresh from her triumphant role of "Effie" in the Grand Theatre's production of "Dreamgirls" |
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Alana Bridgewater is a celebrated R&B and Jazz vocalist, actor, and recently played "Killer Queen" in the Mirvish production of "We Will Rock You" |
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Divine Brown is a Juno award-winning R & B and soul vocalist and actor |
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Kellylee Evans is a Juno nominee and was named 2007 Female Vocalist of the Year by the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards |
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Molly Johnson is a Juno award-winning jazz vocalist, social activist, and Officer of the Order of Canada |
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Ada Lee is a veteran performer, still going strong in her 80s. Ms. Lee is one of the only Canadian women to have performed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. |
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Jackie Richardson is a Blues, Jazz and Gospel music titan, equally regarded for her acting abilities. Ms. Richardson has been nominated for Gemini, Dora Mavor Moore, Juno, Betty, AMPAC, Maple Blues, and NAACP awards |
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Shakura S'aida is a Juno and Maple Blues-nominated vocalist and actor |
Note: A service charge of $4 per adult ticket and $2.50 per student ticket will be applied at checkout. Artists subject to change.
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Resident Artist Profile |
Q: Tell us a bit about what you're doing for Sundays at the Young?
Andrew Craig (AC): This is a busy festival for me, to be sure. It started off on July 19 with three concerts. I performed two songs in the Gordon Lightfoot Tribute (The Way I Feel, and If You Could Read My Mind), then I ran across the lobby to perform in both tribute concerts to Trichy Sankaran. I took one of his recordings, orchestrated, and then improvised a live piano solo over it. I also co-hosted the event with fellow Resident Artist Suba Sankaran - who happens to be Trichy's daughter.
I've been a consultant to Resident Artist Weyni Mengesha on her drum talk: movement of a people, which I think is going to be fantastic. But the big project for me is creating The Sistahs Concert, about which I'm very excited.
Q: What do you think is special and exciting about The Sistahs Concert?
AC: Where else can you see eight of the top black female singers in Canada on the same stage? The mere fact that their schedules line up is nothing short of amazing.
I'm looking forward to exposing Toronto to the marvelous breadth and depth of talent in this community. Canada generates a disproportionately large number of amazing black female singers given its population size - and it's been that way for decades. People need to know.
But I'm also looking forward to seeing what happens when generations of women come together in this way, to fellowship, and to make music together. I think the results will be powerful and long lasting.
Q: Free events surrounding these concerts will focus on the impact African culture has had on the city of Toronto. What influences do you see in your life and work in the city?
AC: That question has to be considered from the point of view of the African diaspora - in other words, not just African, but Caribbean, African-American, and African-Canadian culture. Quite aside from the stellar work of the ladies in The Sistahs Concert, and the many other women like them, we have Caribana - one of the largest festivals of black culture anywhere in the world. We have Afrofest, we have a vibrant Hip-Hop scene, and hundreds of smaller examples of influence to which I could point - restaurants, shops, fashion, dance, and of course, music.
Q: What are you most excited to see other artists doing for Sundays at the Young?
AC: Each idea compels me in its own way. I'm just happy to see that all of these great minds have a place to execute their concepts, and make a positive impact on the city.
Q. Any advice for patrons to better enjoy this series of one-day festivals?
AC: Come early, stay late, soak up the vibe of the Young Centre – and tell your friends! Also, the activities we plan provide a great way to get children of all ages into art and artmaking.
Q. Can you summarize Sundays at the Young in three words?
AC: Toronto's artistic crucible!
