Voices Of
Freedom Festival
Bravo Niagara!’s signature event, the Voices of Freedom Festival, is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and histories through the arts.
V O IC E S O F F R E E D O M
2020 Virtual Premieres
While unable to bring audiences together for live performances, Bravo Niagara! remains committed to supporting artists and creating new works of art. In fall 2020, we produced a series of inspiring videos and musical short films as part of our annual Voices of Freedom Festival, dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and histories. Each video features the world premiere of original music commissioned by Bravo Niagara!.
V O IC E S O F F R E E D O M
A Musical Short Film
The Maples Blues Award-winning Blackburn Brothers, descendants of freedom seekers, and special guest Measha Brueggergosman give voice to Niagara’s significant history as a terminus of the Underground Railroad with powerful performances of spirituals and newly commissioned works. Experience the world premieres of the Blackburn Brothers’ Freedom Train and Sister Wilma shot on location in the Voices of Freedom Park (Niagara-on-the-Lake) and Nathaniel Dett Memorial Chapel BME Church (Niagara Falls).
V O I C E S O F F R E E D O M: S O U N D S O F H O P E
Menorah
Commissioned by Bravo Niagara!, “Menorah” is a composition by renowned multi-JUNO Award-winning Canadian composer Christos Hatzis. The premiere of "Menorah" features images by Yuri Dojc from Last Folio by Yuri Dojc & Katya Krausova. This stirring composition for violin and piano is performed by Montreal-based violinist Marc Djokic, a young dynamic presence in the violin world, and pianist Christina Petrowska Quilico, C.M., an internationally renowned interpreter of contemporary music.
V O I C E S O F F R E E D O M: S O U N D S O F H O P E
Robi Botos: Romani Experience
JUNO Award-winning multi-instrumentalist and composer, Robi Botos takes you on a deeply personal journey through the story of his heritage. Born and raised in Budapest prior to bringing his family to Canada, Botos has remained dedicated in his efforts of bringing the often forgotten history of the Roma genocide during the Holocaust to the surface. Through a suite of selections from his acclaimed score from 'A People Uncounted' and the debut of a new piece commissioned by Bravo Niagara!, Botos' glimpse into his heritage with a call for justice for his people will be told through his unmistakable sound that will resonate with all generations.
Bravo Niagara!’s Voices of Freedom Festival was born out of a desire to give a voice to underrepresented histories and peoples through the arts and foster intercultural dialogue.
Each year, the Voices of Freedom Festival amplifies diverse voices through inspiring musical performances enriched with educational outreach initiatives. The inaugural festival in 2015, launched in recognition of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, highlighted Niagara’s significant Black history and was endorsed by the UNESCO Slave Route Project. Since its founding, this unique and powerful initiative has featured unforgettable performances from Measha Brueggergosman, Wycliffe Gordon, Monty Alexander’s Harlem-Kingston Express, Richard Bona, Molly Johnson, Larnell Lewis, Bakithi Kumalo, Jackie Richardson, and more. Guest Artistic Producer, Céline Peterson, has been involved in the curation since 2018.
In 2020, the Voices of Freedom Festival expanded to highlight another underrepresented voice. The Sounds of Hope program commemorated the 75th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust. Bravo Niagara! has also brought to life new commissioned works for the Voices of Freedom Festival by composers such as Christos Hatzis, Robi Botos, and Brooke Blackburn.
Looking ahead, Bravo Niagara! will build upon its role as a producer of multidisciplinary new works encompassing music, dance, visual art, and film.
“Since 2014, Bravo Niagara! has committed itself to fostering intercultural dialogue through the arts. I commend its dedication and hard work in celebrating the diverse voices of our country through musical performances within the Niagara Region.”
— The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
Please support the arts
Please consider a donation to Bravo Niagara! to help support our organization during this challenging time for the live arts sector. All contributions $25 and above will be recognized with an official tax receipt.
Become an Amplified member
With the purchase of a Spring 2021 Amplified Membership, you will receive access to six exclusive, one-of-a-kind virtual musical experiences from April to July 2021. Enjoy unique musical performances, live interactive artist meet-and-greet opportunities, wine tastings with artists, and more!