Afrofest 2016 issued two-day permit for Woodbine Park
March 29th, 2016
After initially being granted a one-day permit for its 2016 festival at Woodbine Park, Afrofest will now return as a two-day event July 9 and 10. Following a meeting at City Hall last Wednesday, the City of Toronto, Music Africa Inc. and Beaches-East York Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon, confirmed that a two-day permit has been granted for the largest free African music festival in North America.
Beginning in 1989, Afrofest is an annual award-winning, multi-day celebration of African music, art, crafts, culture and food. In 2015, the family-friendly community festival drew over 120,000 visitors to the east-end, with over 35 artists spread across five areas of the park.
Earlier this month, Toronto’s music community raised concerns through social media and written submissions to Councillor McMahon questioning the city’s decision to pare down Afrofest to a one-day festival due to past noise violations. A Save Afrofest online petition was also circulated to restore Afrofest to its two-day programming, collecting nearly 5,000 signatures.
While the city says it received just eight noise complaints in 2015 through the 311 service, Councillor McMahon says her office also received multiple noise complaints. The decision came as a shock for Peter Toh, President of Music Africa, as Afrofest 2015 was given a noise exemption to run Sunday past the 8 PM curfew until 9:30 PM, and city staff were not present to monitor the noise levels. “The sound company we employ does 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,” Toh said.
As stated in a joint press release regarding the 2016 two-day permit, while Afrofest organizers acknowledged their past violations, the city also admitted to unclear communications regarding permit end times. The Toronto Music Advisory Council, who sat in on Wednesday’s meeting, has also committed to offer its expertise going forward to help ensure the success of Afrofest and all other music events across the city.
TMAC met with City, @mary_margaret32 and @Afrofest – #Afrofest is back for two days in July! Joint press release -> https://t.co/l5wKUBpubq
— TO Music Advisory (@TOMusicAdvisory) March 23, 2016
Established in 2013, the Toronto Music Advisory Council works to provide recommendations and advice to enhance the attractiveness, competitiveness, and growth of Toronto’s music industry. The Advisory Council acts as a forum through which the music industry can provide coherent advice to City Council on issues and opportunities for the sector. In February 2016, TMAC’s Toronto Music Strategy was adopted by the Economic Development committee, acknowledging the role live music plays in a vibrant music sector.
Wednesday’s decision reinforces the City of Toronto’s commitment to the Toronto Music Strategy and to continue building as a Music City, where city officials, festival organizers and music fans can easily communicate to enrich our communities with more music opportunities.
Thanks to @Afrofest, @mary_margaret32 & City staff who worked together to ensure music lovers enjoy 2 days in July. https://t.co/07ncfly9lA
— John Tory (@JohnTory) March 23, 2016
4479 commends the city’s efforts to hear the music community’s concerns and their decision to once again grant Afrofest a two-day permit. As the 2016 Toronto music festival season approaches, contacting your Councillor in support of outdoor music events like Afrofest will help assist with noise complaints put forth by community members and positively influence Toronto’s continued growth as a Music City.
