Meet The Africa Center

Event Details

End: September 20, 2014
Contact: dwachsman@theafricacenter.org
More Info: www.theafricacenter.org

The Africa Center Opens to Public for the First Time at “Meet The Africa Center”

 

The Africa Center, Africa’s Embassy to the World announced that on Saturday, September 20th, The Africa Center will open its doors to the public for the first time, with an all-day “Meet The Africa Center” festival from 10:00am until 6:00pm.  A private concert performance will follow from 8:00pm until midnight.

 

Once known as The Museum for African Art, The Africa Center has expanded its mission to become the world’s leading civic African institution.  The Center is located less than 20 minutes from the United Nations, at One Museum Mile, and plans to permanently open in late 2016.

 

All are invited to the one-day extravaganza on September 20th, which will introduce the New York community to its new neighbor at The Africa Center’s stunning home at 1280 Fifth Avenue.  The “Meet The Africa Center” festival will be a celebration of African culture, featuring an art installation by Nigerian artist Emeka Ogboh; performances by the Dance Theater of Harlem; musical presentations by OkayAfrica; a West African Photo Booth; healthy living presentations and African-Influenced tastings by Alexander Smalls and The Cecil; and screenings of ONE’s inspirational film,The Power of Protest Music.

 

Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about and sample African cuisine, partake in educational craft workshops, listen to African musicians and storytellers, and much more, all while listening to the sounds of traditional and contemporary African music.

 

The evening concert at The Africa Center, is a special edition of the Festival-in-Exile, a solidarity event hosted in conjunction with the The Timbuktu Renaissance initiative.  The evening will feature many of the finest Malian musicians and special guest stars, in a unifying performance, including Amanar, Amkoullel, Rocky Dawuni, Salif Keïta; Samba Touré and Vieux Farka Touré; with remarks by H.E. N’Diaye Ramatoulaye Diallo, Minister of Culture of Mali.  All the way from the ancient cross-roads of Timbuktu, the concert is a musical exploration highlighting the profound connections between West African and American Blues.  

 

Partners: The Cecil, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Harlem Eat Up!, Okayafrica, The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, ONE, El Museo del Barrio, Wells Fargo and iMarc.

Supporters: The Government of Mali, The Brookings Institution, Festival au Desert, USAIDS/Office of Transition Initiatives, ONE.org, FN.org, Marcus Samuelsson of Red Rooster Harlem, The OIC.

Sponsors: The Boston Consulting Group, Voss Water and The Voss Foundation, Empire Entertainment.