Latest news with #AlfredoCaxaj
CTV News
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Another successful year for Sunfest
With 45 musical acts from across Canada and around the world, Sunfest 2025 was well attended this past weekend with an estimated 150,000 people taking in the annual festival. As clean-up crews cleared Victoria Park on Monday, organizers are more than happy with this year's turn out. 'Uber drivers were telling us they have never seen Victoria Park this busy,' said Mercedes Caxaj, the co-artistic director of Sunfest. 'We had lots of visitors from the U.S., Quebec, and the GTA (Greater Toronto Area).' This was the 31st year for the festival, which helps bring the community together for four days. 'It's so wonderful to see the community celebrating in an upbeat and free environment,' said Alfredo Caxaj, co-artistic director. Plans are already in the works for next year's festival, which will get underway starting July 9 – 12, 2026. 'We always have dreams about how we can continue to expand the festival and that has a lot to do with funding and support from government agencies and the City of London,' said Alfredo. Mercedes said they are always looking at different innovative ways to improve, the event, 'We hope to continue the sustainability of the festival and really just keep going for years to come.'
National Post
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- National Post
Q+A: Sunfest founder on scouring the globe to bring music to London
Article content As Sunfest launches its 31st edition on Thursday, founder and executive director Alfredo Caxaj tells Free Press reporter Beatriz Baleeiro about the festival he built, along with the global travels that help bring it to life. Article content Article content Q: You've travelled the world to scout and book Sunfest acts since you began the festival three decades ago. How many countries have you been to, and what does that travel involve? Article content Article content A: I've been to over 40 countries. Travelling these days is not that easy because you have to go through many security layers in many places. Getting into the plane and flying overnight and all those things are not that comfortable, but as soon as you get to the location, you tend to forget about all of that, and you meet new people, but above all, you find all kinds of new music. Article content Q: How essential is seeing the acts you book in person before you lock in? Article content A: That's one of the most beautiful experiences. When you go to all these markets and you see these groups and you wish and you dream to have them in your festival. And when they come, and that becomes a reality, that's the most rewarding thing that you can imagine. Article content Q: What countries stand out to you from your talent-scouting travels, and why? A: I've been in so many countries all over the world, but there are a couple that stand out for me, like South Korea. There are so many young people there doing incredible music while keeping the basis of their culture. Cabo Verde is another amazing place that I go to every year because I experience an incredible array of music from that particular area of the Atlantic coast of Africa. And Colombia, which has so much to offer and we're bringing three groups from there this year. Article content Article content A: Something that we do at the festival is that each group performs at least twice. The purpose of scheduling them twice is precisely that people will have the chance to see all of them. We have five stages, so you won't be able to see everyone in one day. That's why we create those opportunities for the groups to perform at least two times. Article content A: As a result of what's going on in the U.S, we lost two international acts. Maxida Märak, an Aboriginal artist from Sweden, built all her tour dates in the United States and the only date in Canada was Sunfest, but she was denied a visa to the States. We also lost a group from Cuba, and their visa was denied twice. The argument is that they think that these people want to come and stay in the country.
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Sunfest 2025 unveils artist lineup
London's premier outdoor summer festival has unveiled its lineup at a kickoff event hosted by CTV London's Nick Paperella. Sunfest 2025 will be packed with music, dancing, food, and drink when it returns to Victoria Park from July 3 – 6. In its 31 years, Sunfest has grown from a small local event to an international attraction and brand. It is also an economic driver for the city. 'We have the economic studies that show that, you know, 20 to 25 per cent of attendance are coming from outside of London and other parts of Canada, and even all over the parts of the world,' said Alfredo Caxaj, the founder of Sunfest. Sunfest began with a focus on international acts, and this year it will feature more than 20, including groups from Cuba and Africa. 'We have a great band from DR Congo this year,' highlighted Mercedes Caxaj, the artistic co-director. 'They make all of their outfits and all of their instruments. They're known as an Afro-futuristic, punk, eco-friendly collective.' She added that the international sounds of Sunfest will be met equally by homegrown talent. 'This year we are really seeing a big focus on Indigenous voices, especially from across Canada and internationally. We also have women-led voices as well,' explained Mercedes. Sunfest Chair Paula Jesty hopes all featured artists will bring smiles to attendees' faces amidst an increasingly polarized world. 'I think now more than ever in the world we live in, we need organizations like Sunfest. We need to remember and to celebrate,' said Jesty. And if people take time to do just that, Alfredo concedes he would be moved, 'By all of you, by the local community, international people. This is so beautiful because it's so meaningful.' A free kickoff block party for Sunfest will be held this weekend at London Brewing Co-op on Burbrook Place. More information on Sunfest acts can be found online.
CBC
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Check out who's coming to Sunfest this summer
Social Sharing Victoria Park will be vibing with dozens of musical artists from coast to coast and around the world as Sunfest returns this summer. Organizers unveiled the 46 acts who will be performing across five stages from July 3 to 6, including bands from South Korea, Brazil and Sweden. "We're always looking for something that is new, fresh and innovative," said Alfredo Caxaj, the founder and co-artistic director of Sunfest. "Of course, the essential element is artistic quality. There's no question about that. And because that's basically how we have built the reputation of Sunfest. It's not based on names, it's based on artistic quality." There are five themes to this year's lineup. Indigenous voices will highlight healing, truth and empowerment as the audience hears stories from Les Mamans du Congo & Rrobin, Isleña Antumalen from Chile, and Canada's Digging Roots and Amanda Rheaume. Soundtracks of resistance will feature activist and revolutionary artists with a call to action. Featured artists include Canadian-Filipino rapper, singer and artist Kimmortal. The Lemon Bucket Orchestra from Toronto will bring their messages of liberation, resistance and solidarity. Future-forward and earth-conscious acts like Fulu Miziki Kolektiv from the Democratic Republic of Congo will perform with instruments and costumes created out of discarded materials. Theatrical acts that are bordering on avant-garde include South Korean bands Gonia and 64ksana, who blend new sounds with traditional instruments. New Brunswick's Les Moontunes will bring their celestial blend of jazz and heavy metal. Organizers are also highlighting places in the world that are new to the festival with a discovery of sounds, including Farah Siraj from Jordan, SARĀB from Syria, ViiK from Denmark, Fattú Djakité from Guinea-Bissau/Cabo Verde and De Mar y Río from Colombia. "It really is about celebrating being alive through music and coming together through music, and you will hear a diversity of sounds like you've never heard before," said Mercedes Caxaj, co-artistic director of the festival. "I think even the most seasoned industry professional in the global music scene will always discover something new at Sunfest, and that's something that we love to hear." In addition to the 23 national and 23 international acts coming to London, there will be more than 225 food and craft exhibitors in the park. For an early taste of the Sunfest spirit, Londoners can join the Block Party at London Brewing Co-op which is happening on Friday, May 16 from 4 to 10:30 p.m., featuring Curly Strings from Estonia, Less Toches from Montreal, and London's Mark Swan's Good Hand. The party continues on Saturday, May 17 from 2 to 10:30 p.m., featuring a lineup of artists from Toronto.
