Festival Afropolitain Nomade Concert

Lerie Sankofa, whose real name is Beugre Valérie, is an Ivorian musician whose musical exploration began in childhood. Introduced to percussion at age 9, she embarked on a musical journey that led to a remarkable mastery of this art form as well as that of singing. From 2005, she honed her singing and percussion skills at the Institut National des Arts et de l’Action Culturelle (INSAAC).

Lerie Sankofa shone at the ninth edition of the Jeux de la Francophonie, where she received the bronze medal in the Song category. She proudly represented Côte d’Ivoire, delivering a memorable performance that delighted the audience and judges alike. Her debut album is about to be released. In addition, her African cultural centre for the promotion of art and culture, Sankofart sum, is proof of her commitment to passing on her knowledge and supporting the Ivorian cultural scene.

Dalie Dandala, whose real name is Dandala Pembe Dalie Staelle, is a Congolese singer, songwriter, dancer, percussionist, and actor. She began singing at the age of 10, in the Sunday School choir of the Église Evangélique du Congo (EEC), where she also took her first steps in theatre and recital. Later, she joined the choir of the William Branham Church and took up percussion and folk dancing.

Trained in percussion and dance by the Compagnie Musée, Dalie Dandala perfected her style over the course of her experiences and performances, both as a soloist and accompanying such Congolese musical greats as Zao, Oupta, Chervi Gambo and Fanie Fayar.

Winner of the Félix for Indigenous Artist of the Year and Album of the Year – Indigenous Languages at the ADISQ Gala; of the Teweikan in the Folk category, Best Performance, and the Jury’s Choice Award at the Tewikan Gala; and winner of the TD Indigenous Songwriter Award from the SOCAN Foundation, Laura Niquay is an Atikamekw artist from Wemotaci, in the Mauricie.

She stands out with her extraordinary voice, singing in her native language, Atikamekw. Selected for the Polaris Long List in 2021, and one of the best albums of the year, Waska Matisiwin is a magnificent, sensitive work that, more than ever, reveals her folk-grunge universe. The show is festive, taking the audience on an emotional rollercoaster, while being guided by Laura’s calm, authentic delivery, in which she takes the time to convey the values of her culture. A nomad rooted firmly in her time, a quiet force forging a place for herself at the heart of Quebec’s contemporary musical landscape.