The Teenage Life and Young Adults International Society (TELIYA) concluded the annual Yukon International Conference on Diversity & Inclusion by hosting the Yukon African Music Festival in Whitehorse on Feb. 15 and Haines Junction on Feb. 16.
The festival showcased artists specializing in afrobeat, hip hop and folk genres. Musicians from across Canada and abroad performed 18 sets at the Sternwheeler Hotel in Whitehorse from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The same lineup played at the St. Elias Convention Centre in Haines Junction on Feb. 16 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Whitehorse audience members enthusiastically danced throughout the evening as the cheerful atmosphere grew with each musical set. The event was heavily attended, with audience members filling the conference room on Feb. 15.
Performers included Alpha Yaya Diallo, a Guinean-born musician who performed alongside keyboardist Brian Quaye, drummer Momo Soro and bassist Emmanuel Pelé. Calgary-based hip hop artist AK-Slim also performed on Feb. 15, along with Ndidi Cascade from Vancouver, Etienne Nkuru from Edmonton, N'Naato Camara from Vancouver, Momo Soro from Montreal and Devaki and Thomas from England, U.K.
Juno Award-winning artists also performed, including Alex Kajumulo from Seattle, U.S., Lorraine Klaasen from London, Ont., and Diallo, based out of Vancouver.
Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com
