Hip-hop singer, rapper and poet K'naan, seen performing in South Africa in June, will join the TIFF Bell Lightbox opening festivities in his adopted hometown of Toronto. (Hassan Ammar/Associated Press)
Hip-hop star K'naan will join the grand opening festivities for TIFF Bell Lightbox, the Toronto International Film Festival's new home.
The Juno-winning Somali-Canadian rapper, who had been touring the globe with his World Cup 2010 anthem Wavin' Flag, is back in his adopted hometown of Toronto and will take the stage at the Lightbox opening block party on Sunday, organizers announced Saturday morning.
K'naan, a past Polaris Prize nominee, joins a bill already featuring three artists shortlisted for this year's edition of the Canadian music prize: Montreal’s Karkwa, Toronto’s The Sadies and Radio Radio from Atlantic Canada.
Toronto pop singer Fefe Dobson and L.A. funk-rock band 100 Monkeys were also previously announced as performers.
The family-friendly block party, centred around the Lightbox location at King and John streets, will officially open the sleek building with a noon-hour ribbon cutting.
Aside from concerts, the celebration will also feature a Wizard of Oz -themed kids area, free cupcakes, dance and improv performances, and free entry into cinema-related art installations and screenings inside Lightbox itself.
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