FreeUp! The Emancipation Day Special

FreeUp! The Emancipation Day Special is an annual Canadian television special, which was broadcast for the first time by CBC Gem on August 1, 2020.[1] Growing out of an arts festival created by actress Ngozi Paul in 2017,[2] the special features musical, acting, dancing, comedy and spoken word performances by Black Canadian and Indigenous Canadian performing artists to celebrate Emancipation Day.[3]

Performers

2020
  • Jully Black
  • Jay Rukas
  • Sarah Musa
  • Chivengi
  • David Delisca
  • Andrew Forde
  • Zoë Edwards
  • Amina AbNa Alfred
  • Mackenta
  • Amaka Umeh
  • Janette King
  • Aba Amuquandoh
  • Hassanlogic
  • Matthew "Snoopy" Cuff
  • Jendayi Dyer
  • Travis Knights
  • Jaz Fairy J
  • Esie Mensah

2021

2022

In 2022, the special was paired with Freedom Talks, a special roundtable discussion on freedom and racism in Canada.[4] It also followed a different format than the previous two years, blending creative performances, documentary segments on Caribana, St. Lawrence Hall and the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum, and a tribute to jazz musician Joe Sealy.[5]

Awards

The 2020 special received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Performing Arts Program at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021.[6]

At the 11th Canadian Screen Awards in 2023, the 2022 performance special was nominated for Best Variety or Entertainment Special, Freedom Talks was nominated for Best Performing Arts Program, and Paul was nominated for Best Writing, Variety or Sketch Comedy.

References
  1. "Watch now: FreeUp! Emancipation Day 2020, a CBC special celebrating Black Canadian artists". CBC Arts, July 30, 2020.
  2. Ngozi Paul, "What does freedom mean to Canada? Celebrate Black artists in CBC's FreeUp! Emancipation Day 2020". CBC Arts, July 31, 2020.
  3. Katie Scott, "Why Ngozi Paul says celebrating Emancipation Day is about the future, not the past". eTalk, July 29, 2021.
  4. Mzwandile Poncana, "What is Emancipation Day? Director and activist Ngozi Paul helps Canada understand". Broadview Magazine, July 28. 2022.
  5. Mike Crisolago, "Emancipation Day: Ngozi Paul Talks Art and the Fragility of Freedom Ahead of CBC Specials". Everything Zoomer, July 31, 2022.
  6. Brent Furdyk, "Television Nominees Announced For 2021 Canadian Screen Awards, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Leads The Pack With 21 Nominations". ET Canada, March 30, 2021.


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