Grand River Black Music Festival and Conference
June 14 - 16, 2024
Kitchener Public Library, Civic Centre Park, and
Downtown Kitchener, ON
Schedule of Events:
All events at Kitchener Public Library, Central Location, 85 Queen Street N, Kitchener, ON unless otherwise stated.
Schedule subject to change.
Perks and deals on hotel stays (all) and tickets (PRESTO Pass holders)
Friday, June 14th 2024
9am: Kitchener Public Library doors (open to the public)
9am - 5pm: Conference proceedings; lower-level (ticket holders only) (licensed event)
Panels and discussions featuring: Michael Williams, Rudy Blair, Master-T, Solitair, Will Strickland, Blk Orchid, Eric Alper, DJ Ron Nelson, Joel Joseph + more
"Pioneers of Canadian Hip Hop"
"Challenging the Dominance of Record Labels"
"Black in Media"
Workshop: "Record Lables, Music Publishing, and Artist Management" with Roy Hamilton III / Singers Company
Film Screening: Temple of Love: The Erroll Starr Story
Details: www.grandriverblackmusic.com/conference
11:30am-1:30pm: FREE Production Workshop - "Musical Collaborations" with Joel JJ Joseph in Heffner Studio at Kitchener Public Library (open to the public) special signup here: https://kpl.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=101518
11am - 5pm: Food vendors and artisans; courtyard (open to the public)
5pm: Kitchener Public Library closes (general public and ticket-holders)
12pm-1:30pm: FREE Event - Autograph signing with Blk Orchid and Zochi (open to the public) at The Walper Hotel / TWH Social in Downtown Kitchener
7pm: Kitchener Public Library doors (ticket holders only) (licensed event)
7pm - 11pm: Concert event; main-level, headliner: Erroll Starr and TRIBZ, support: Reharm (ticket holders only) Details: www.grandriverblackmusic.com/performers
7pm: Food vendors, artisans, artist merchandise; courtyard, main-level (ticket holders only)
11pm: Kitchener Public Library closes (all)
Saturday, June 15th 2024
9am: Kitchener Public Library doors (open to the public)
9am - 5pm: Conference proceedings; lower-level (ticket holders only) (licensed event)
Panels and discussions featuring: Jully Black, Michael Williams, Zochi, Jordan Patterson, Colleen James, Dr. Karen Cyrus, Sandra Tyler Henein + more
"Music Cities"
Film Screening: Hip Hop Hope
Film Screening: MAKING MUSIC - The making of "Why I Sing The Blues" - A documentary film by L.A. Big Daddy's
"Jully Black Keynote: Black Women in Music and Entertainment"
Panel: "Celebrating Black Divas"
Details: www.grandriverblackmusic.com/conference
10am: FREE Circle Music Workshop with Joni NehRita (open to the public) in the Reading Lounge at Kitchener Public Library, special signup here: https://kpl.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=99929
11:15am: FREE Children's Concert with Livi and Friends (open to the public) in the Living Room at Kitchener Public Library, special signup here: https://kpl.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=100243
11am - 5pm: Black food vendors and artisans; courtyard (open to the public)
5pm: Kitchener Public Library closes (general public and ticket-holders)
5:30pm-7pm: FREE Talk: "An Evening with Tony Winger, American Record Exec." with Jordan Patterson at The Walper Hotel in Downtown Kitchener
7pm: Kitchener Public Library doors (ticket holders only) (licensed event)
7pm - 10pm: Concert event; main-level, headliner: Jully Black, support: Zochi (ticket holders only) Details: www.grandriverblackmusic.com/performers
7pm: Food vendors, artisans, artist merchandise; courtyard, main-level (ticket holders only)
11pm: Kitchener Public Library closes (all)
10:00pm-12:00am: After Party in DTK. Featuring: Michael Williams, Jamila B., Zochi, Reharm, Blk Orchid (various locations in Downtown Kitchener) (0pen to the public) Details: https://www.grandriverblackmusic.com/after-party
Sunday, June 16th 2024
10:30am: Kitchener Public Library doors (ticket holders only)
10:30am - 12:30pm: Concert event; main-level, headliner: Toronto Mass Choir (ticket holders only) Details: www.grandriverblackmusic.com/performers
12:30pm: Kitchener Public Library closes (all)
1pm - 5pm: FREE Concert Event; Civic Centre Park, headliner: Solitair, support: Black Emerging Artist Showcase, special guests (open to the public) (licensed event)
Details: www.grandriverblackmusic.com/performers
Civic Centre Park: Ahrens Street E, Kitchener, ON (adjacent to Kitchener Public Library)
1pm - 5pm: Food vendors, artisans, and artist merchandise; Civic Centre Park (open to the public)
5pm: Grand River Black Music and Conference fin (all)
Concert events featuring:
Jully Black
Zochi
Erroll Starr
Reharm
Solitair
Toronto Mass Choir
Ontario’s Black Music Conference featuring:
WILL STRICKLAND // JULLY BLACK // MICHAEL WILLIAMS
MASTER T //
SOLITAIR // RUDY BLAIR // JOEL JOSEPH // ROY HAMILTON III // TONY WINGER // JORDAN PATTERSON // DJ RON NELSON // ERIC ALPER
ZOCHI // COLLEEN JAMES // BLK ORCHID // SANDRA TYLER // JON SARPONG // DR. KAREN CYRUS // RICHARD GRACIOUS
FREE afternoon event in the park featuring:
SOLITAIR
+ Black Emerging Artist Spotlight, Live DJ, Special Guests
Afternoon of family-friendly fun
Black Artisan and Food Village
All Ages, 19+ beer garden
Civic Centre Park,
Sunday June 16, 1-5PM
Black Artisan and Food Village featuring:
The best in Black food, culture, and artistry
Open to the public by day.
Ticket holders only at night.
Sponsors and Partners
Ross and Doris
Dixon Charitable Foundation
Contact us.
85 Queen Street South
Kitchener, ON N2H 2H1