Festivals
Nuits d’Afrique 2017: Indoor Program

31st edition of the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique
Montreal, July 11 to 23, 2017
INDOOR PROGRAM: 8 SERIES CONNECTED TO WORLD CULTURES!
GRANDS ÉVÉNEMENTS SERIES | Presented by ICI Musique
The series that presents the top names on the international scene
- July 13: At the METROPOLIS, Amadou et Mariam (Mali), who have performed on the world’s top stages for nearly 40 years, will get you dancing to the sound of their brand new album with its Afro-disco beats.
- July 17: At the NATIONAL, Ben l’Oncle Soul (France) brings new life to Frank Sinatra classics to beats of reggae, hip hop and soul. | Presented in collaboration with Rouge FM
- July 18: At the THÉÂTRE FAIRMOUNT, the indomitable Emel Mathlouthi (Tunisia) will charm you with her classy electro, highlighted by near-tribal
RÉVÉLATIONS SERIES
The series that highlights the new ambassadors of world music. Talented artists, among the most promising, are coming to present the effervescence of these musical styles.
At the CLUB BALATTOU
- July 11: Delgrès (Guadeloupe) and their contemporary Creole blues |Presented by Atuvu.ca;
- July 12: Ziskakan (Réunion Island), one of the most illustrious representatives of maloya;
- July 19: InCrescendo (Venezuela-Québec) and its highly blended Venezuelan culture;
- July 23: Lasso and Sini Kan (Burkina Faso-Québec) with their mixed Afro-Mandinka reggae fusion.
At the THÉÂTRE FAIRMOUNT
- July 14: Jesse Royal (Jamaica), one of the leading lights of the reggae revival.
PRESTIGE SERIES
Marked by charm and elegance, this series brings audiences to a calm and elegant world to experience magical moments with emotion alongside grace.
At the LION D’OR
- July 19: ‘The night of Kora’ with Yamoussa Bangoura (Guinea-Québec) and Kandia Kora (Guinea), virtuosi of this mythical instrument;
- July 23: 50 Years of Bossa Nova with Jean-François Léger (Brazil-Québec) pays tribute to this musical movement from Brazil that conquered the entire world.
URBAN AFRICA SERIES | Presented by CISM
Blended pop, percussive hip hop, exotic rock: the series that breaks down myths and appeals to trend-setting youth.
At the SALA ROSSA
- July 15: Kae Sun (Ghana-Ontario), amalgamating R&B, hip hop, smart pop and rocksteady;
- July 17: The Dizzy Brains (Madagascar), the punk group that creates a sensation wherever it goes.
NUITS D’AFRIQUE SOUND SYSTEM SERIES | Presented by CISM
This series proves that world music is also a source of inspiration for the new generation of artists, DJs and MCs who get things shaking.
At the THÉÂTRE FAIRMOUNT
- July 15: Canicule Tropicale (Québec) fulfills a dream by inviting internationally known artist Quantic (United Kingdom). They take turns heating up the room with their turntables.
At the SALA ROSSA
- July 22: the flamboyant King Abid (Tunisia-Québec), Révélation Radio-Canada award for world music, 2017-2018.
LES VOIX DU MONDE SERIES
Whether in solo, duo or trio performances, their remarkable voices will bring us moments of grace.
At the CLUB BALATTOU
- July 13: Tété (France-Senegal), often compared to Ben Harper, will get us quivering to the sound of his poetry;
- July 17: Just Wôan (Cameroun-Québec) will offer us his unique voice enveloped in folk-rock;
- July 20: Mû Mbana (Guinea-Bissau) who jazzes up the beats and sounds of his country.
LES RENCONTRES SERIES – New!
This new series bring artists together on stage with original creations.
At the CLUB BALATTOU, share the authentic West African experience.
- July 16: Rendez-vous Mandingue, with Benkadi, accompanied by doudoum, djembe, balafon – and acrobatic dances;
- July 18: Les Griots de Montréal who perpetuate tradition and chronicle the passing of time.
At the THEÂTRE FAIRMOUNT
- July 21: Bandidas, with Bïa (Brazil-Québec) and Mamselle Ruiz (Mexico-Québec), two singers with fiery temperaments.
LES ÉTOILES NUITS D’AFRIQUE SERIES
This is the gathering place for night-time concerts, starting at 11 p.m. at the Club Balattou. Nine original events featuring three host artists and their guests provide exclusive encounters and a blend of cultures. Admission is free for anyone holding a ticket to a Nuits d’Afrique show.
RAMON CHICHARRON (Colombia-Québec), with his mix of Afro-Colombia beats and modern sounds, shares the stage with three guest artists:
- July 11: with Gotta Lago;
- July 12: with Shauit;
- July 13: with Boogat.
LES TROIS FRÈRES CISSOKO (Senegal-Québec): Sadio, Fa and Noumoucounda pay tribute to tradition on three special evenings:
- July 16: with Mandinka jazz flavours;
- July 17: with a trad-acoustic formula;
- July 18: in the company of Jean-François Lemieux.
MAROCOULEURS (Morocco-Québec) offers three different worlds blending Gnawa beats:
- July 19: with African dance;
- July 20: with electro;
- July 23: with African music.
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