4 African Festival at the Silk Purse N orth Vancouver's M a r c u s Mosely started singing gospel music in c h u r c h d u r i n g his b o y h o o d in Texas. A s a young m a n he traveled all over the In A f r i c a , art a n d life are i n t e r t w i n e d . T h e v i s u a l artwork of the many different regions of the continent reveals as much about the history, attitudes, beliefs and values of these people as any written document. Several exhibitions of portraits, landscapes, textile art, clay work, masks and more will allow patrons to explore the cultures of A f r i c a . A s well, there will be workshops o n mask-making and constructing musical instruments. T h e C r i c C r a c storytellers will feature A f r i c a n stories at their A p r i l a n d M a y presentations (first Sunday of the month). The A f r i c a n Festival a w o n d e r f u l o p p o r t u n i t y f o r w o r l d - A s i a , E u r o p e , A f r i c a , the South Pacific a n d N o r t h and South A m e r i c a . T h r o u g h song, he shared his passion for music. A f t e r m o v i n g to V a n c o u v e r , M o s e l y t o o k to the theatre stage appearing in such popular productions as Showboat, A i n ' t M i s b e h a v i n ' a n d T h e Black and G o l d Revue. O v e r the years he has recorded original, p o p u l a r a n d sacred songs o n solo a n d c o m p i l a t i o n C D s . H i s latest recording project, Labour of Love will be released soon. Early in the new m i l l e n n i u m , M o s e l y met a musical soulmate in Gail Suderman and in 2004 they founded the G o o d Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir. T o d a y that choir has 85 members f r o m various ethnic and faith g r o u p s . M o s e l y a n d S u d e r m a n are also artists-inresidence at Vancouver's Christ C h u r c h Cathedral. O n A p r i l 19, the Sojourners, a gospel trio including M o s e l y , W i l l Sanders and R o n Small will be one of the headlining acts at the Silk Purse's African Festival, a d y n a m i c series o f m u s i c a l , theatrical, literary a n d v i s u a l arts events c e l e b r a t i n g the c u l t u r e o f that continent. A f r i c a is a continent o f diverse landscapes, wildlife and peoples. Since ancient times it has been a place where great civilizations have flourished. Despite huge political, economic and environmental upheavals, the richness of its many and varied cultures has endured. M u c h of the music we enjoy today in N o r t h America has its roots in A f r i c a - blues, jazz, ragtime a n d of course gospel that stirs the soul and lifts the spirits. The first event of the A f r i c a n Festival is a children's N o r t h Shore audiences to experience the magic a n d mystery of faraway lands. puppet show o n A p r i l 14. H o w the Z e b r a G o t H i s Stripes is based o n a n A f r i c a n legend. A f t e r that, beginning with the N o r t h Shore's all women a capella g r o u p A l i q u a o n A p r i l 17, there w i l l be concerts on Tuesdays and T h u r s d a y s , m o r n i n g and evening, throughout the rest of the spring including a program of spirituals with L a m b r o u l a Pappas o n the morning A p r i l 26 f o l l o w e d that e v e n i n g by T h e S h i r l e y s and Pepe D a n z a w i t h l i v e l y A f r o - C u b a n m u s i c . Internationally-acclaimed singer Dee Daniels will be featured o n M a y 3rd. WHAT: African Festival W H E N : B e g i n s April 14 through M a y . C h e c k out the gallery website (www.silkpurse.ca) for the full program of festival events. W H E R E : Silk Purse Gallery INFO: 1570 Argyle A v e n u e , West Vancouver, 604.925.7292 w w w . a r t s - a l i v e . c a M a rc h I A p ri I