African Heritage Cultural Festival

Submitted by Jake on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 2:53pm
in
Date: 
Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 1:00pm - 7:00pm
Location : 
Virginia

Location: Market Square in Alexandria, VA
Organized By: Cheryl Lawrence, Director of Special Events
Event Description:
Alexandria to Host African Heritage Cultural Festival

Event Features Grand Processional, All-Day Film Festival, Music, Food,
and Exhibits.

Guided Black History Tours of Alexandria guided by ZSun-nee Matema from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

The music, culture, and food of Africa takes center stage as the City
of Alexandria hosts the African Heritage Cultural Festival on Saturday,
July 25, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Market Square (301 King St). This
free event, cosponsored by the City’s Department of Recreation, Parks
and Cultural Activities and the African Heritage Cultural Festival
Committee, will be held rain or shine.

The theme for this year’s festival is “Reaching Back, Moving Forward.”
The emcee for the festival is Glenn Harris, News Channel 8 sports
commentator. The event features a grand processional with pouring of
Libation (a ritual pouring of a drink as an offering). On the main
stage, live performances include the Belafon West African Dance
Ensemble, Cheik Hamla Diabete, kora (a West African stringed
instrument) player, and jazz ensembles The Mike Stephens Project and
Phaze II. On the youth stage, performances feature young people from
the City’s recreation centers, Samba demonstrations, and other
offerings by local talent.

The festival will feature displays, workshops and exhibits on Market
Square and in City Hall (301 King St.) showcasing traditional African
arts, crafts, paintings and culture; and the Vola Lawson Lobby on the
first floor of City Hall will be the site for an all-day film festival.
Highlights of the film festival include “500 Years Later,” a film by
Owen 'Alik Shahadah that has won several national and international
awards, and Peter Gabriel’s “Rhythms of the World,” which provides a
whirlwind tour of some of the biggest names in African, Caribbean, and
South American music. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Visitors to the historic district are encouraged to take the Metro
Yellow or Blue lines to the King Street Station in Old Town and take
the free King Street Trolley, take DASH or Metro Buses, or park in one
of the convenient parking garages or lots. For DASH schedule
information, call 703.370.DASH or visit dashbus.com. For Metrobus
schedule information, call 202.637.7000, or visit www.wmata.com.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the City’s Human
Rights Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a
reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative
format, call Cheryl Lawrence, Special Events Supervisor, at
703.838.4844 (TTY 703.838.4902) or e-mail
cheryl.lawrence@alexandriava.gov.