Free Benda Bilili! Screening – Q&A with Mbongwana Star

As we look forward to next week’s Mbongwana Star Toronto debut, we’re pleased to be able to announce an added special event! Join us at the Small World Music Centre the night before, on Tuesday evening, for a FREE screening of Benda Bilili! the documentary about the legendary band that gave birth to ‘the Star.’ And members of the band will be on hand for an insightful Q&A with the audience.

“Benda Bilili! is a film about outcasts who defy a system that defines them as marginal. It is not a musical film, but the band’s songs complement the narrative. Every problem encountered by the Staff Benda Bilili group gives rise to a song they then try out on the streets.” – Directors Renaud Barret and Florent de la Tullaye

The film premiered at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival Directors Fortnight, and was nominated for Best Documentary at the 2011 César Awards, the national film award of France.

While this event is free, space is limited, so reserve your seat here. And tickets are going quickly for the Wednesday concert, so don’t miss out on the advance price!

Sunday at the Centre, our friend George Koller has assembled a compelling program under the name Songs of Gaia. It starts with traditional songs and chants from the Sakha Republic of Siberia sung by renowned Saina, who specializes in the ‘khomus’ (mouth harp) and has sung in 25 different languages. The evening mixes improvisation with traditional elements, featuring a crack quartet of George Koller, Jocelyn Barth, David Restivo & Bruce Cassidy.