First-of-its-kind Black music festival coming to Kitchener

The country’s first not-for-profit Black music festival and conference is coming to Kitchener later this spring.

The Grand River Black Music Festival and Conference (GRBMF) is set to be a three-day conference of seminars, performances, and other events from June 14 to 16.

According to the organizers, the event looks to ease the struggles of Black artists in the entertainment industry by highlighting artists and industry professionals and exchanging industry wisdom, including unique vendors, film screenings, and more.

The event will take place in downtown Kitchener at the Kitchener Public Library, and at the Civic Centre Park for an outdoor festival on June 16. Pop-up concerts will also be held around Waterloo Region throughout the weekend.

Performing artists include Jully Black, Solitair, the Toronto Mass Choir, Juno-Award-winning R&B vocalist Erroll Starr, Zochi, and Reharm.

The lineup of films being screened at GRBMF includes Temple of Love: The Erroll Star Story, Making Music: The Making of “Why I Sing the Blues”, and Hip-Hop Hope, a documentary focusing on the legacy of Hip-hop in The Waterloo Region.

“Recognizing a huge void in the music scene, the GRBMF hosts three days of incredible performances from some of the best Canada has to offer, showcasing new and upcoming Black artists and presenting insider discussions of various issues and initiatives within the Canadian music industry,” Carlos Morgan, founder of the Grand River Black Music Festival and Conference, said.

According to organizers, the event is expected to have a total attendance of approximately 4,500 people.

Visit grandriverblackmusic.com for more information.