Celebrating African Culture and Family Since 1971, “The Festival” returns to Commodore Barry Park: Thursday, July 4 – Sunday, July 7, 2019
Brooklyn, New York — The INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN ARTS FESTIVAL (IAAFestival), Brooklyn’s most beloved celebration of African culture and family, returns to Commodore Barry Park on Thursday, July 4, through Sunday, July 7, 2019, 10AM to 9PM daily. Each year, “Festival” selects a cultural theme from an African ethnic group and this year’s theme YA TOND LA TAABA (We are all as one) from the Mossi Nation of Burkina Faso is appropriate as “Festival” marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the East organization. It was the East that gave birth to “Festival,” which started as a PTA block party and fundraiser for the Uhuru Sasa Shule (Freedom Now School) that was located in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. This milestone celebration will feature performers from across the Africa and its diaspora as well as programming highlighting the rich history and significant contributions of the East to the International African Arts Festival and to Brooklyn’s unique cultural identity.
NEW ADMISSIONS OPPORTUNITIES:
This year, there will be a “Friends of Festival” (SFF/VIP) tent for those who contribute $100 or more to the continued growth of IAAFestival. “Friends of Festival” will receive expedited entry, preferred seating, refreshments, as well as a gift bag with lots of goodies. For those who wish to purchase FoF/VIP tickets they can go to the Eventbrite Website: http://bit.ly/30JWhLq or visit the IAAFestival office in Restoration Plaza at 1360 Fulton Street, Suite 401 Brooklyn, New York, 11216.
For $60, people can purchase a four-day General Admission Pass and receive expedited entry and an IAAFestival 2019 Tee-Shirt.
Based on the positive response received from last year’s inaugural collaboration with Africa World Documentary Film Festival (AWDFF), Dr. Segun Shabaka, Board Chairman of IAAFestival, is pleased to announce the return of AWDFF to “Festival.” AWDFF will once again screen several films which shed light on the various issues affecting Africans throughout Africa and its Diaspora. Dr. Shabaka adds, “They are very powerful, informative and well researched projects from a variety of filmmakers.”
Among those headlining IAAFestival 2019 is Jamaican born, reggae singer Etana, The Strong One. Etana, was nominated at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album for her-self produced album, Reggae Forever. The sultry songbird has five albums under her belt and is known for her exceptional stagecraft. The incomparable Ray Chew, known for his musical dexterity on the keyboards, as well as being the musical director for Show Time at the Apollo, is set to bring his unique musical orchestration to the stage at “Festival” with his ensemble Ray Chew Live. He is currently the musical director for ABC’s Dancing With The Stars. Also scheduled to perform is Hypnotic Brass, seven brothers from Chicago’s Southside, whose documentary film Brothers Hypnotic, explores their music, work ethic, life and experience of being raised by their jazz legend father, Phil Cohran. Others taking the stage at IAAFestival 2019 include SPIRIT of the Midnight Band, T.K. Blue, Dinizulu Dancers, Kulu Mele and Asase Yaa Dance troupes.
The Market Place:
Thousands journey to “Festival” annually because of its all-day family-friendly programming, safe and clean environment, and one of a kind African marketplace which features the best in food, artisans, and entertainment. The Market Place at the IAAFestival is known for assembling gifted artisans from parts of Africa, the Caribbean, and the United States. This diverse group of entrepreneurs journey to Brooklyn to engage in collective work and responsibility as they share their one of a kind art, crafts, jewelry, clothing, furniture, masks and much more. In addition, to the face painters and other activities for the children, the Market Place boasts one of the most unique gathering of food vendors in the country. An eclectic mix of chefs offer a culinary explosion from vegetarian offerings to traditional Caribbean, African American and African dishes. There are natural juice vendors as well as Sugar Cane and Coconut vendors. You name it, you will find it in the IAAFestival Market Place where the economy of trade is alive each and every day.
Formerly known as the African Street Festival, “Festival” will open from 10:00am to 9:00pm each day at Commodore Barry Park located on Navy Street between Park and Flushing Avenues in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Appropriate for people of all ages, backgrounds, and musical preferences, the general admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children (suggested minimum donation).
Please visit www.iaafestival.org or call the office at 718-638-6700 to get information or purchase tickets.
CONTACT US: The Festival is on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as @IAAFestival.
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