The beat will go on as it always has – for two days – at the 28th annual edition of Afrofest at Woodbine Park.
Just over two weeks ago, Music Africa, which runs and produces the popular event, issued a press release expressing discontent with the City of Toronto for its decision to reduce this year’s permit from two days to one due to excessive noise and time violations.
This news resulted in an outpouring of support for the festival.
Dozens of supporters emailed Beaches-East York Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon, whose ward is home to Woodbine Park, as well as Toronto Mayor John Tory to express their concerns about this decision.
In a matter of days, upwards of 5,000 supporters signed on online petition (www.ipetitions.com/petition/say-no-to-1-day-event-or-friday-to-saturday-dates).
In the end, a meeting was called for Wednesday, March 23, bringing together members of the Toronto Music Advisory Council, staff from the mayor’s office, staff from the Economic Development and Municipal Licensing and Standards departments as well as Music Africa.
Later that afternoon McMahon posted a joint statement on her website and social media announcing this year’s edition of Afrofest has been restored to two days.
"Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon, the City of Toronto and Music Africa Inc. are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached to grant Afrofest a permit for July 9 and 10, 2016 in Woodbine Park," it read. "All parties are committed to working together to ensure Afrofest is successful this summer and in future years."
Afrofest organizers "acknowledge that there were some permit violations related to past years of the festival and the city admits to unclear communication regarding permit end times," the statement read.
"With this agreement we look forward to a positive future for the festival and are committed to including Afrofest in the cultural and musical landscape of Toronto," said the statement, which was signed by McMahon, Music Africa’s president Peter Toh, and Richard Ubbens, the city’s director of parks, forestry and recreation.
The Toronto Music Advisory Council will also be offering its expertise to help ensure Afrofest and all other music events across Toronto are successful.
"Music Africa has always maintained its readiness to work with city officials to resolve the permit issues and yesterday we were able to constructively do this, Toh said in a follow-up note last week.
"Afrofest has been successful as a two-day festival and will now continue its success in the same format. We are grateful to the City of Toronto and Councillor McMahon granting our two-day park permit."
Afrofest, which started in 1989, is the largest annual African music festival in North America. It draws up to 60,000 revelers daily. For the past four summers, Afrofest has been held at Woodbine Park in The Beach. Up until 2011, the festival was held at Queen’s Park but it "outgrew" that space and was relocated to Woodbine Park in 2012.