Black Lives Matter - Toronto to Host a Concert Fundraiser for the Watah Theatre

TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2016 /CNW/ - Black Lives Matter - Toronto will host a concert fundraiser benefitting Toronto's Watah Theatre, directed by internationally-renowned artist d'bi young anitafrika. The event, titled "Love is the Cure," will begin at 9pm at Daniel's Spectrum (585 Dundas St East) and is a curated evening featuring some of Toronto's most powerful Black performers, musicians, spoken word poets, rappers, and visual artists.

All proceeds from the event will go towards the Watah Theatre, a space that has nurtured the growth of hundreds of artists across race, gender, class and orientation under the artistic direction of world renowned Black Toronto-based artist Dbi Young Anitafrika. Through this theatre and accompanying school, dozens of Black emerging artists, creators, and performers have been nurtured, trained, and showcased. Black-specific arts spaces are crucial to cultivating culture locally, and to provide communities spaces to recover from traumas brought on by anti-Black racism, state violence, etc.

The Watah Theatre is in danger of closing due to lack of funds, specifically from publicly-funded arts agencies.  This concert calls for the establishment of dedicated funding for the theatre, including equipment, space, skill development, and infrastructure.

The concert features LAL, Logic, Eden Shibeshi, Spek Won, Renee Henry, Rania El Mugammar, Dre Ngozi, and more.

Black Lives Matter-Toronto is the Toronto chapter of the ‪#‎BlackLivesMatter network, an international movement fighting anti-Black racism and state-sanctioned violence.

#SaveWatah

SOURCE Black Lives Matter - Toronto

Sandy Hudson at [email protected] or 416-722-8842; Rodney Diverlus at [email protected] or 647-456-8476