African Festival of The Arts 2012

ALMOST TIME!!! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!!

The Annual African Festival of the Arts (AFA) is a spectacular celebration of arts and culture from across the African Diaspora.  

It is the largest neighborhood festival in Chicago, and said to be the largest of its kind in the U.S. Thousands of people from around the world come to Chicago’s Washington Park, Labor Day Weekend for this authentic African experience. They are transported to African villages across the Diaspora with vibrant drumming, storytelling, dancing, interactive demonstrations, historical artifacts, colorful and rich fabrics, informative health and wellness workshops, as well as fascinating entertainment. 

Lyfe Jennings

Dee Parmer Woodtor Main Stage...and more...

Friday, August 31, 2012

The Awakening

5:30 – 6:00 PM              SPIRITS of the Ancestors

6:00 – 6:30                              Taylor Moore

7:00 – 8:00 PM              Charles Neville and Youssoupha Sidibe

8:30 - 10:00 PM            Joan Collaso and the Eleven Divas

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Afro Soul

2:45 – 4:15 PM              GWADLOUP:  Master Percussionists

4:15 – 4:45 PM              SAMBA 1 Brazilian Dance Group

5:15 – 6:00 PM              Ray Silkman

6:30 – 7:45 PM              Dwele

8:30 – 10:00 PM             George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Praise Dance

3:00 – 4:00 PM             GWADLOUP: Master Percussionist Frantz Flereau with     Gwaka Dancer, Max Diakok

4:30 – 5:30 PM                 Aleya James

6:00 – 7:00 PM                   VaShawn Mitchell

8:00 – 10:00 PM       Inspired House Music by DJ’s Terry Hunter and Mike Dunn of The Chosen Few

Monday, September 3, 2012

Our Own Time

3:00 – 4:15 PM              GWADLOUP:  Sonny Troupe Quartet/Melting Groov’

4:45 – 6:00 PM              Southside Big Band tribute to Von Freeman

6:00 – 7:30 PM             Lyfe Jennings

8:30 – 10:00 PM            Kahil el Zabar, Nona Hendryx & Corey Wilkes

Schedule Subject to Change

Visit African Festival Chicago www.africanfestivalchicago.com

 PURCHASE TICKETS

Friday, August 31 thru Monday, September 3, 2012

Please pick up your tickets at the main gate at 51st and Cottage Grove Ave.

Any ticket can be used on any day between August 31 and Sept 3

AFRICAN FESTIVAL TICKETS Tickets can be purchased at the main gate at 51st and Cottage Grove Ave. Advanced Tickets $10.00 thru August 28th Daily Admission $20.00 at Gate Family / 2 Adults & 4 Children – $30.00 Weekend Pass – $30.00

You Missed It...The African Festival of The Arts...

If you didn't attend this year's African Festival of The Arts, you surely missed something quite pleasurable, relaxing, entertaining and cultural! It's four days of sheer magic with the opportunity to see musical artists from around the globe, this year's roster was fit for any king or Queen with India Arie, Mary Mary to Rn'B greats Chico DeBarge and Christopher Williams.The weather was great and this event never gets old because of its warmth, beauty and charm!

With Chrysler as the title sponsor, this year's festival was simply awesome! The vendors always bring the best in African inspired crafts and products. Even in this anemic economy, this festival is affordable and one of the best tickets in town, each and every Labor Day Weekend! I truly enjoyed so much of this festival with Mary Mary as one of my favorites, it was my first time seeing them live and they didn't disappoint. I had been struggling with physical challenges, so this dynamic duo was just what my soul needed. The crowd was energetic and swaying to contemporary gospel music at its best as Tina and Erica belted out hit after hit, from "Shackles" to the beautiful and emotional "Yesterday!" The stages at the African Festival of Arts are always "on fire" with Caribbean and African performances to hip hop, R&B, Jazz and gospel.

One thing anyone can attest to is that Chicago is one of the best summer cities on the earth! Every Labor Day Weekend comes an excitement because many know it's time for The African Festival of The Arts. After a couple of decades of putting together one of the finest cultural festivals in the country, if not the world, The International House has never fallen short to excite and amaze concert goers and this year was no different!

The food was soooooooo good, if you like authentic African and Caribbean food, this is the place. I had some of the best tasting grilled jerk fish I've ever experienced! There are many stages and attractions for the entire family on Chicago's Southside in Washington Park and there's even parking!

It's imperative that we continue to support this festival  because the cultural enrichment and exposure it offers is priceless!

The African International House is available to you all year long, please visit their website and show support for an outstanding organization that's making an incredible difference!

African International House www.aihusa.org