Grand River Black Music Festival and Conference

Formerly known as the Mel Brown Music Festival and Symposium, the Grand River Black Music Festival and Conference is a Black lead project celebrating Black music and artistry.

The Grand River Black Music Festival and Conference is an annual event held over three days in late spring at Kitchener Public Library’s Central location in partnership with local Black leadership and Laurier University.

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)

Tickets:

$22.63 – $107.83

How to get tickets?

Buy Online

 

Date & Time:

June 14 – 16, 2024

 

Venue:

Kitchener Public Library, Civic Centre Park, and
Downtown Kitchener

More to Do: