Fri, August 20th thru Sunday, August 22th
1 Hart Plaza, Detroit, MI 48243
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History presents the 28th Annual African World Festival August 20 - 22 on Detroit’s beautiful riverfront.
Be among the 350,000 souls in the sun-drenched sea of humanity exploring the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of African and African American culture and music. Indulge in mouth-watering foods from across the Diaspora. Examine the wares of over 200 master craftsmen and visual artists.
Groove to global music spanning the spectrum of roots, rock, reggae, R&B, world, blues, jazz, hip-hop and soul: 2010 headliners to include legendary reggae ambassadors Third World, native son K'Jon and “The Great Lady of Soul,” Bettye Lavette. Witness the improvisatory choreography of the step competition, dance troupes and drum ensembles.
This family-friendly festival includes something for all ages - the children’s Watoto Village, the Health is Wealth Pavilion, Generation Next Kingdom, and the Artists’ & Elder’s Villages.
The three-day, free event is one of the region’s most anticipated summertime rituals!
FRIDAY, August 20
• Noon: OPENING CEREMONY - Mayor Bing invited to join dignitaries
• 1 pm: Hospitality Suite under Main Stage - “Detroit Supports Haiti” Youth to Youth Skype-versation. The youth of Detroit and Haitian youth will communicate through a Skype internet connection.
• 6 pm: D-Lux - a Chicago-based Haitian kompa band creates lively music with eight world-class musicians. http://dluxmizik.spaces.live.com/
• 7 pm: Savallace - Native Detroit Hip-Hop Soul Artist http://www.myspace.com/savallace/music/playlists
• 9:30 pm: K'Jon - Native Detroit R&B Artist. The New York Times praised K-Jon’s 2009 “I Get Around,” as “one of this year’s most promising R&B albums,” noting that his debut single had been on Billboard’s Hot Adult R&B Airplay chart for almost six months. http://www.k-jon.com/
SATURDAY, August 21
• Noon: LIBATIONS - Honoring the ancestors
• 1 pm: "A Conversation on Black Economic Wealth" with Bella Marshall & Don Barden of Barden Industries. Facilitated by Detroit Councilwoman JoAnn Watson.
• 3 pm: STEPPING EXHIBITION - Iota Phi Theta and Gamma Xi Chi Fraternities and the little girls from Zeta Phi Beta • 3:30 pm: Tribute to Our Sheroes & Heroes: Remembering Sister Njere Alghanee
• 5 pm: Toby Foyeh & Orchestra Africa - Fast Lane International says the music is “a melting pot created out of a unique fusion of traditional Nigerian Yoruba music including Highlife, Afrobeat, folklore with jazz, rock, pop, and latin music. Though absorbing various western elements the music is fresh and original. http://www.tobyfoyeh.com/
• 7 pm: Bettye Lavette, “The Great Lady of Soul” - Selected for a key performance during the inauguration of President Barack Obama, LaVette wowed a worldwide audience with her rendition of “A Change is Gonna Come,” a duo she performed with Jon Bon Jovi at the Lincoln Memorial. http://www.bettyelavette.com/
• 9:30 pm: Kindred the Family Soul - R&B and neo soul vocal duo from Philadelphia responsible for hits such as "Far Away," "Where Would I Be (The Question" and "House of Love." http://www.myspace.com/kindredthefamilysoulspace
SUNDAY, August 22
• Noon: LIBATIONS - Honoring the ancestors
• 1 pm: Spirit of the African World (Gospel) featuring The New Mighty Inspirations, Nigerian Church Choir, Revelation Voices
• 3:30 pm: African Naming Ceremony - receive Your African Name
• 5 pm: Penny Godboldo - Detroit-based Afro-Cuban, Afro-Haitian and Dunham technique dance.
• 7 pm: AfroFlow - Detroit-based performers. Leader Mike E says their sound “will probably fall under Hip-hop, Rap, World Music or whatever, in the minds of marketers & consumers. My hope is that in the minds of music lovers it will inevitably emerge in2 lyrics without limits, beats without borders.” http://www.afroflow.com/
• 9:30 pm: Third World - 35th anniversary tour of the legendary Jamaica-based reggae band that the world has heralded since the 70s and 80s, with hits like “Now That We’ve Found Love,” and “Try Jah Love.” http://www.thirdworldband.com/
For up-to-date festival information, please visit http://www.africanworlddetroit.com
