February is Black History Month, and to celebrate, Manitoba Music and WAG-Qaumajuq are sharing a night of music presented through BPM
Presented in partnership with Black History Manitoba, the special event will feature performances from three acclaimed Winnipeg-based artists: Afrobeats/R&B/trap soul/hip hop artist and producer Azanti, Afro jazz groove collective Dr. Henry Band, and DJ DeLulu spinning house, world pop, Afrobeats, and throwbacks tracks.
The intimate setting allows the artists to express themselves through stripped-down, visceral performances that address identity and community, and celebrate the African Diaspora.
There’ll be a mixer featuring food by So Sumptuous throughout the night for Black music makers as well as local music companies, labels, venues, and festivals looking to make deeper connections with the Black music community in Manitoba. Meetups for artists and music entrepreneurs are core to BPM’s community-building focus, offering an opportunity to share ideas, professional needs, and barriers, and make vital career connections.
A partnership between Manitoba Music and Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq, the series celebrates Black music makers through quarterly free concerts and mixers in the iconic gallery through the BPM | Black Professionals in Music program at Manitoba Music. The project was made possible by the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters, The Manitoba Government, and Manitoba Film & Music.
ABOUT BPM
Launched in February 2021 and facilitated by Tomiwa Omolayo, BPM | Black Professionals in Music is a program via Manitoba Music that supports Black music professionals in Manitoba. BPM presents quarterly mixers for participants to meet and build their community and networks, followed by live performances, as well as other programming throughout the year. Participants can bring ideas, share their professional needs and barriers, and influence the future direction of the program. To get involved, please email bpm@manitobamusic.com. Participants must be residents of Manitoba and identify as Black musicians or music industry professionals.
