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The sounds of the Caribbean will reverberate across the GTA this summer during the TD IRIE Music Festival. For the past 10 years, TD IRIE MUSIC FESTIVAL, an event that celebrates the many exciting facets of Caribbean culture, has brought the best of reggae and international music to Toronto. In this milestone year, the TD IRIE Music Festival proudly announces the expansion of the festival to include a new stage at Mississauga Celebration Square, next door to Square One. Rated one of the best outdoor stages in Canada, this $40 million dollar facility is an ideal location for residents from the region of Peel and beyond to come together to celebrate all things irie! The inauguration of TD IRIE Fest Mississauga ignites with a performance by the honeyed vocal Reggae dancehall singer Wayne Wonder on Saturday, July 14th, followed by international Soca sensation Bunji Garlin backed by Canada’s No. 1, Soca DJ crew, D’Enforcas on Sunday, July 15th, 2012.
The beat goes on with TD IRIE Fest Toronto with two main stages in the heart of the city offering exciting live performances. International superstars, Third World, Grammy-nominated, Studio One singer Dawn Penn, the undisputed Queen of Soca, Fay-Ann Lyons, and charismatic reggae singer/DJ Richie Spice are among the performers appearing live at TD Music Main Stage Nathan Phillips Square from Friday, August 3rd through Monday, August 6th.
Toronto’s own Shi Wisdom and ANDREENA bring their high energy, intense stylings to the IRIE Soul Showcase taking place at Yonge Dundas Square on Saturday, August 4th and 5th. Presented in association with Urban Music Week the showcase includes some of Canada’s most exciting, emerging soul/R&B, artists.
“IRIE has been a labour of love for the past 10 years,” says Artistic Director Phil Vassell. “To bring the sights and sounds of the Caribbean to our adopted home has been incredibly rewarding. IRIE has become a beacon for the promotion of a greater understanding between the diverse cultures and traditions of this world-class city; and now to see this initiative grow to encompass the City of Mississauga is a tremendous source of pride for everyone involved in bringing IRIE to life”.
The IRIE Music Awards kicks off the TD IRIE Music Festival on Thursday, August 2nd at the Phoenix Concert Theatre. The annual celebration of Canada’s best reggae and world music artists is one of the festivals hottest tickets and features performances by some of the nominees. The doors open at 8 p.m., the show begins at 9 p.m. and is followed by an after party at 11 p.m.
Tickets: $25/Door $35 in advance at www.ticketweb.ca or for a list of ticket outlets visit: http://iriemusicfestival.com/irie-music-awards/tickets/.
While at IRIE be sure to check out the dance Immersion Summer Showcase. Also celebrating their 10th Anniversary at the TD IRIE Music Festival, this festival highlight is presented by some of the nation’s foremost and up-coming performers. This year’s performers include the, Harambee Dance Company (New York), Kashedance, Elite Dance Company, Michelle Muir, Vivine Scarlett and Beyond Sound Empijah.
For more information about the dance Immersion: http://iriemusicfestival.com/category/music-and-arts/dance/.
Also returning is the TD IRIE ART EXHIBITION which takes place in the City of Toronto Rotunda, adjacent to Nathan Philips Square. The dynamic exhibit features the works of multi-disciplinary Caribbean artisans Hollis Baptiste, Sherman Jones, Denniston Ewan, Michael Chambers and Carl Cassel. The Exhibit is held daily from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., from Saturday, August 4 through Monday, August 6.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2012, the TD IRIE Music Festival is a FREE multi-day, family, friendly festival that takes place over two great weekends of the summer: Friday, July 14th – 15th and Friday, August 3rd to 6th, 2012. In addition to showcasing some of today’s top reggae music acts, the festival offers several on-site attractions and cultural activities designed to showcase from Reggae to Salsa, Soul to African; dance from the African Diaspora presented in association with dance Immersion, spoken word/literature, visual arts exhibition, delicious tropical food & drinks and more. In 2011 the TD IRIE Music Festival organizers embarked on a journey to make the annual festival green and sustainable in association with festival’s partners, Bullfrog Power who supply supplying green, clean energy at all festival sites. Water and recycling stations and active promotion of the use of public transportation to all festival venues are all part of IRIE’s Green Commitment.
For more information visit: http://iriemusicfestival.com/irie-green-initiative/energy/.
MISSISSAUGA CELEBRATION SQUARE
WAYNE WONDER – SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2012
The sensual, honeyed vocals of Reggae dancehall singer Wayne Wonder have made him a consistent hit maker since the late 80s. His early exposure to vintage 45's are cited as one of his earliest influences. He went on to record with the legendary creator of dub, the late King Tubby, and first caught the public's attention with his cover version of heartthrob Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up." In 2002, Wayne earned the first #1 hit of his career pledging a lifetime of devotion on the sweetly romantic hit "No Letting Go" recorded with Steve "Lenky" Marsden, Tony Kelly and the legendary Sly Dunbar. Wayne also anchored the hit track "Anything Goes" (w/ CNN: Capone & N.O.R.E and Lexxus) for the Def Jamaica compilation which received a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album. More recently, Wayne is writing and producing many of the tracks and collaborations with producers Tony Kelly and Don Corleone.
BUNJI GARLIN – SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012
Already being hailed as an iconic artist by regional music critics, Bunji Garlin is one of the few soca since he broke through with the runaway hit, "Send Dem Riddem Crazy" almost a decade ago. The Asylum Band led by Bunji was the most sought after band by promoters and people alike throughout Carnival 2010 in his native Trinidad. Bunji's charismatic performance style coupled with edgy lyrics floating on intoxicating rhythms keeps audiences returning for more. Bunji continues to be recognized as the number one ragga-soca artist of all time. He has won the coveted International Soca Monarch title four times to date. In the past decade, Bunji has released more than eight full length CD and has also collaborated with some of the most respected calypsonians, chutney, reggae and hip-hop artists including Singing Sandra, Freddie McGregor and Allure.
NATHAN PHILIPS SQUARE
FAYE-ANN LYONS – FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2012
Faye-Ann is the daughter of the one and only Superblu, eight times Road March winner in Trinidad and Tobago. Faye-Ann began singing in 2000, and by 2003 she went on to win the Road March title in Trinidad and Tobago for the hit song "Display". Display was the most played song during the carnival of 2003 in Trinidad and Tobago. Faye-Ann is the third female in history to win the Road March title in Trinidad and Tobago. The undisputed Queen of Soca, Lyons created history when she became the first woman to win the prestigious International Power Soca Monarch championship in 2009, the same year she won the International Groovy Soca Monarch championship. Ms. Faye-Ann Lyons shares the stage with Canada’s #1 Soca DJ, D’Enforcas. She is also the wife of iconic raga-soca singer, Bunji Garlin.
RICHIE SPICE – SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012
Richie Spice hails from a musical family that includes his older brother Pliers (from the deejay/singer duo Chaka Demus and Pliers of “Murder She Wrote” fame), singer Spanner Banner and deejay Snatcher Dogg. It was Spanner Banner (best known for his hit “Life Goes On”) who first brought Spice to the recording studio and before long, he met veteran producer Clive Hunt who produced his breakthrough single “Grooving My Girl”, a captivating lovers rock tune that is still one of the most popular songs within Spice’s repertoire. “In 2004 he rereleased “Earth A Run Red”; the song went on to become one of the biggest reggae hit of 2004 and the New York Times named Spice’s sophomore release “Spice in Your Life” as one of that year’s best reggae albums of the year. Since then Spice has gone on to reap numerous awards including Male Singer/Singjay of the Year at Jamaica’s IRIE FM Awards in 2007; and following his performance at the first annual “Black My Story” concert held in Kingston on Feb. 2, 2008, Spice was honored for his positive musical contributions. Spice has also released three albums for VP Records: “In the Streets To Africa”, reached no. 6 on the Billboard Reggae chart in 2007, its hit single “Youth Dem Cold”, produced by popular New York Reggae radio personality Bobby Konders, peaked at no. 59 on the Billboard Top 100 Singles Chart.
THIRD WORLD – SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 2012
Smashing hits, sold-out tours and inspirational messages, the 10 time Grammy nominated band, Third World is one of the longest running Reggae bands. The group was formed in 1973 and has since released a total of 23 albums as well as solo projects from Lead Singer Bunny Rugs and Guitarist Stephen Cat Coore. They have received numerous awards, including most recent New York City Ambassador Award in November 2009 at Brooklyn Academy of Music ("BAM"), the 1986 "United Nations Peace Medal," 1992 and 1996 Jamaica Music Industry Awards for Best Show Band. International hit singles include: the cover version of Gamble & Huff's, "Now That We've Found Love," "96 Degrees in the Shade," "Cool Meditation," "Dancing on the Floor," "Try Jah Love," written by Stevie Wonder, "Sense of Purpose," "Forbidden Love," "Reggae Ambassador," "Committed," and "Reggae Party." Additionally, the group has worked and collaborated with top acts such as the Jackson Five, Bob Marley and The Wailers and Stevie Wonder. The band recently released a 35th "Anniversary project" titled" Patriots” which features collaborations with Toots Hibbert, Marcia Griffiths, the late Gregory Isaacs, Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, Dean Fraser, Inner Circle, Mykal Rose, Junior Reid, Capleton, as well as both Stephen and Damian Marley.
DAWN PENN – MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2012
In 1967, while still in high school, Dawn Penn recorded her 1st Hit single “You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No)”, produced by Coxsone Dodd at Jamaica’s now infamous Studio One. Prince Buster’s label later released “Long day short Night” and “Are you there with another Girl” and her originals “Blue yes Blue” and “Here’s the Key”. Dawn took a hiatus for recording to raise her family, returning in to record a new single for Steelie & Cleavie in 1991 and King Jammys in 1992. While Jammys’ recording proved a dancehall smash the Steelie & Cleavie’s version crossed over into mainstream pop charts. Their version was initially recorded by them to commemorate Studio One’s 35th Anniversary and was released by Heartbeat in the US. She has been touring and recording regularly since, including a high profile appearance in 2007 at the Bob Marley Anniversary in Hawaii, Oahu with Lauren Hill and Capleton. She was also featured in the 2008 documentary “Get Ready to Rocksteady”.
YONGE-DUNDAS SQUARE
ANDREENA – SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012
ANDREENA, began studying music at age 4 and by age 11 she began recording and writing her own material. ANDREENA’s first venture in to the public eye came with her inclusion in the popular Canadian female trio X-Quisite, alongside MTV Canada host, Nicole Holness and Melanie Fiona (Universal Motown). In 2002, the group reached notoriety with the release of two successful singles “No Regrets”, which was followed by “Don’t Say”. The songs earned the trio Canadian Urban Music Awards and Juno Award Nominations in 2003. In 2004, ANDREENA embarked on a solo career, and signed a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing New York in late 2010. Her distinct sound can be heard on rapper Drake’s critically acclaimed mixtape “Comeback Season”, she has also worked with artists such as The Bizness (Chris Brown, “No Bullshit”), Brian Michael Cox (Mary J. Blige, “Be Without You”), James Fauntleroy (Jordin Sparks, “No Air”), Kevin McCall (Keri Hilson, “One Night Stand”, Chris Brown “Deuces”) and Needlz (Bruno Mars, “Just The Way You Are”) to name a few. Her new release “All Eyes On Me: Reloaded”, will be released this summer.
RENEE “SHI” WISDOM – SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 2012
Born and raised by a single mother on the west-side of Toronto, Renee 'Shi' Wisdom's love for music was undeniably evident from a young age. Classically trained, Shi draws inspiration from artists like Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, John Legend, Kim Burrell, Bob Marley, Prince, and Amy Winehouse. She has performed throughout the Greater Toronto Area and Niagara region, supporting two singles, “LoveSpeak” and “Take The L” which are currently enjoying a great deal of radio play. Her song writing credits include Roc Nation's newest artist Rita Ora's debut single "R.I.P" (written with Drake), and she is currently writing and recording a full length CD to be released later this year.
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