Commemorate Kwanzaa in New York City
Kwanzaa, a seven day annual celebration of life based on the positive principles of African culture, runs from December 26, 2006 to January 1, 2007. On Saturday, December 30th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., New Yorkers and tourists can celebrate this festival at the American Museum of Natural History in association with Community Works and New Heritage Theatre Group.
Highlights of the celebration include traditional African dance, spoken word, drumming, live gospel music, a marketplace and African mask making and puppetry workshops for children and young adults. This feast will also include performances by Harlem's Repertory Theatre; Tsidii Le Loka, Tony-nominated and Drama Desk awardee for The Lion King on Broadway; Tony and Emmy winner Lillias White; and Ed Babb and his electrifying band, McCullough Invaders.
At noon, the first of the seven principles, Umoja (unity), will be observed with a riveting celebration of African-American pride featuring over 100 African and African-American artists of all ages. Opening words encouraging self-acceptance and community consciousness will be offered by host James Stovall, bringing Kujichagulia, the second principle of Kwanzaa, to light.
Also, the principle of Kuumba (creativity) will be highlighted through a presentation by Abada-Capoeira NYC. This Washington Heights program teaches and educates youth in the art of capoeira, a 500-year-old martial arts form fused with dance developed by Africans in Brazil. Next, The Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble, one of the largest professional African dance and drum ensembles in the United States, will perform to signify Nia (Purpose). Finally, at 3:30 p.m., Stovall will lead an Imani-Faith Concert honoring this seventh and final Kwanzaa principle.
A bustling Marketplace will honor the third and fourth Kwanzaa principles Ujima (collective work and responsibility) and Ujamaa (cooperative economics). Vendors, visual artists, and craftspeople, as well as representatives from major cultural institutions, will be selling pottery, traditional textiles, jewelry, and other unique adornments from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas. In addition, special Kwanzaa foods will be available at the Museum Food Court.
All performances and activities are free with Museum admission. Suggested admission is $14.00 for adults, $10.50 for students and seniors, and $8.00 for children. Neither tickets nor reservations are required for the Kwanzaa celebration.
Kwanzaa was created in 1996 by Dr. Mulana Karenga/Ron Karenga, professor and chair of the Department of Black Studies at California State University. The word Kwanzaa comes from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first-fruits.
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- For more information call 212-769-5100 or visit www.amnh.org/kwanzaa.
- All performances and activities are free with Museum admission.
- Kwanzaa lasts for seven days and is based on seven principles.
- The word Kwanzaa comes from the phrase matunda ya kwanza" which means "first-fruits.