African Marketplace reopens
in Brooklyn for holiday
By Vinette K. Pryce
It has been 50 years since
masses of Black families first
converged on Brooklyn in
July to fashion Ghanian Kente
cloths, embroidered Nigerian
fabrics, South African beads,
Senegalese hair twists and display
a myriad of Africa mores.
Instead of sporting outfits
decorated by the traditional
red, white and blue stars
and stripes, culture-conscious
Black celebrants of the long
July 4th Independence Day
weekend flocked to the borough
in order to enjoy cuisine,
music, dance, entertainment,
books, artifacts, and a wide
variety of uniquely distinctive
items sold by vendors in a marketplace
tended by African and
Caribbean vendors.
Half a century later, International
African Arts Festival
is returning after a year off due
to pandemic restraints.
The theme – Hamsini Ni
Dhahabu – interprets from
Swahili to “Fifty is Gold” as
this year’s mantra marking the
50th annual commemoration
of Brooklyn’s premier cultural
event.
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Caribbean L 20 ife, JULY 2-8, 2021
consecutive cultural arts
festival in the nation, Caribbean
and African foods, unique African
clothing, culturally-correct
T-shirts, jewelry, leathercrafts,
hair braiding, massage centers,
media centers, specialty soaps
from the continent (Shea butter
specialist) and a multitude
of unique items are usually
available for purchase.
Slated to be held at Commodore
Barry Park at Park Avenue
and Navy St. with an entrance
at Flushing Ave. from July 2
thru July 4 — two performance
stages will provide continuous
entertainment. Guaranteed
there will be a fashion show.
This year’s festivities will
demand that all patrons wear
masks and are being asked to
practice social distancing,
Organizers have exceeded
expectations by booking reggae
favorite, Johnny Osborne,
as well as r&b A’ngela Winbush,
formerly of the duo Rene
&Angela.
Special events will feature a
dance party with DJ Debonair
spinning the discs on Saturday
and Sunday.
Dance contestants can compete
in categories of stepping,
salsa, dancehall, hustle etc.
The actual opening event
will spotlight special guest
speaker Dr. Julius Garvey on
Saturday at Restoration Plaza,
1368 Fulton St. where a tent
Obdine Wright with his statue he purchased at the festival
some years ago. Photo by Lem Peterkin, File
will provide an ambiance for
the pouring of Libation and a
tribute to women.
From 4 pm to 8 pm a program
of discussion — “Women Holding
Up Half The Sky and the
Heavens” as well as performances
by Eto”O Tsano (Congo)
Razia Said (Madagascar) Fara
Fina Kan African drummers
and dancers, Charisa the violin
Diva, The Drifters featuring
Magic, Mollywop, Broadway
In Brooklyn Theater, Diaspora
Meets Afrohorn and the Heart
of Steel Band orchestra.
For information, call 718-
638-6700 or log onto www.
iaafestival.org or www.libation2021.
eventbrite.com
Dr. Julius Garvey at a town
hall meeting in Queens. Photo
by Vinette K. Pryce, File
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/www.liba-tion2021.eventbrite.com
/www.iaafestival.org
/www.liba-tion2021.eventbrite.com
/www.iaafestival.org
/www.liba-tion2021.eventbrite.com
/iaafestival.org
/eventbrite.com
