India Arie & Mary Mary to Kick off Chicago’s African Festival of the Arts Weekend

By: Charles S. Mombo

India Arie to Kick off Chicago’s African Festival of the Arts Weekend

India Arie and Mary Mary will be kicking off the African Festival of the Arts (AFA) 22nd anniversary. This world-class destination for family fun event is the largest neighborhood festival in Chicago boasting more than 300,000 attendees. The Festival takes place throughout the Labor Day Weekend, September 2-5, 2011 in Chicago’s Washington Park.

At this year’s Author and Book Pavilion, you will browse and shop for great book deals. You may hang around to meet, greet, and enjoy readings by bestselling and emerging authors, including R&B superstar Tyrese, who has penned “How to Get Out of your Own Way” and Pam Grier who returns to the Festival grounds to share excerpts from her revealing memoir, “My Life in Three Acts.”

You are encouraged to join in for fun and fitness – Zumba sessions, dance and exercise demonstrations, presented by Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo Health and Wellness Village.

A “must see,” at the festival is the Quilting Pavilion. The Quilting is an ageless tradition that has cultural significance across the African Diaspora. From slave codes to storytelling, quilting seamlessly connected generations of Africans to the Motherland. Festival-goers can visit the Quilting Pavilion to learn about the craft, gain insight to the intricate stitching and techniques like appliqué, piecing and embroidery. We also invite you to bring old family quilts for restoration lessons. Enjoy the breathtaking vibrant colors and fabrics that make this textile artistry a lasting Cultural Legacy.

Another “must see,” that comes highly recommended is the Fine Arts Pavilion. The festival is world renowned for its collectible of fine art that includes original oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, charcoal, graphite, and works of limited editions, as well as sculptures in metal, wood, and mixed media. The best artists and works of wearable art and jewelry are featured in the Fine Arts Pavilion. Throughout the years, the Festival has become known for assisting in uplifting the careers of contemporary visual artists, craft-makers and art galleries. This year’s featured artist is Dana Easter, who will be joined in the pavilion by artists, such as Uwa Hunwick, Woodrow Nash, Frank Frazier, Melvin King, Rondell, Stacy Brown, Nii-Oti, Dimali, Isodor Howard, and Dayo Laoye who is also the pavilion coordinator along with John Martin.

Mary Mary to Kick off Chicago’s African Festival of the Arts Weekend

The Drum Village: Come celebrate The Drum, The Dance, The Experience. Explore the influence African and African-American heritage had on the cultural arts in Chicago for more than 40 years. Master drummers Olu Shakoor and Baba Tyehimba Mtu lead this spontaneous and collaborative pavilion showcasing interactive music education sessions and cultural performances rooted in African traditions, historical artifacts, photos, performances, and demonstrations will be lead by artistic drummers and dancers from around the world. Bring your old drums for re-skinning.

The theme of this year’s festival is “Eleheh” which means “Moving Forward.” The term Eleheh is from the West African language of Soninke which is spoken in Mali, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Guinea Basao, Guinea and variations of it are spoken in Liberia. The theme reflects the cultural climate across the Diaspora.

The 22nd Annual African Festival of the Arts Chicago opens daily from 10am-10pm. The tax deductible admission is $10 in advance, $15 at the gate or $30 for a 4 day weekend pass.

Family and group discounts are also available. Media may submit request for credentials online http://africanfestivalchicago.com/media or email name of outlet and reporter, along with contact information and desired attendance dates to media@aihusa.org. Request for credentials must be received by August 17, and will be granted on a limited basis.

Updates, giveaways and live coverage will be posted to AFA’s social networks, Facebook and Twitter. Use hashtag #AFA2011 to follow live tweeted-coverage.

India Arie "Ready For Love"