TABALA sounds the beat of the drums for Quebec's hottest African artists. In this documentary fable, filled with song and dance, an eclectic group of performers tell their stories, explore their creative traditions, personal visions and artistic connections. Shot on location in street festivals, world beat venues, and behind the scenes in rehearsals, dance workshops and recording studios, TABALA portrays the struggle of talented artists of the African diaspora to carve out their rightful place within the spectrum of Canada's performing arts. The film, produced by Nutaaq Media and directed by Erica Pomerance, premiered at Montreal's Maison de la Culture Frontenac on February 28th 1997, as the closing event in celebration of Black History Month. It also had its first network cable broadcast, the same evening, on Vision TV.