KWANZAA SPIRIT 2006!

                                                       Saturday, December 30, 2006        

                                                                   11:00 am – 5:00 pm

                                                             Milstein Hall of Ocean Life

                                                Central Park West & 80th Street, NYC

                                             (212) 769 – 5100        www.amnh.org

                                                    

KWANZAA SPIRIT 2006! recognizes 40 years of KWANZAA celebrations throughout the world with an all-day festival honoring the seven African-based principles of KWANZAA (called NGUZO SABA in Swahili) through SONG, DANCE and SPOKEN WORD. Founded in 1966 as an "African American born" celebration of African American life while paying tribute to African history and origin, Kwanzaa Spirit 2006! will highlight the lives and artistic talents of African and African American visual and performing artists, teachers, merchants, and community organizations. Kwanzaa Spirit 2006 is focused on empowerment for FAMILY and COMMUNITY through the Seven Kwanzaa Principles (NGUZO SABA) as a compass for the programs for the day: UMOJA (unity), KUJICHAGULIA (self- determination), UJIMAA (collective work and responsibility), UJAMAA (cooperative economics), NIA (purpose), KUUMBA (creativity) and IMANI (faith). Kwanzaa Spirit 2006! will be "the tie that binds" the annual vibrancy of Kwanzaa to New York City’s vast multicultural communities.                                       

Presented by

                                                                       The American Museum of Natural History

                                                                        In Association with Community Works NYC

                                             Barbara Horowitz, President and Founder of Community Works NYC

                                         Kwanzaa Executive Producer: Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre Group

                                                                           Kwanzaa Artistic Director: James Stovall
 
 

                                             

                                              Saturday, December 30, 2006 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

11 am – 5 pm The UJIMAA=UJAMMA MARKETPLACE Honoring the third and fourth Kwanzaa principles – UJIMAA (collective work and responsibility) and UJAMAA (cooperative economics), the UJIMAA=UJAMAA MARKETPLACE will be a market of international exchange and communication. Open to the public at 11:00 am, the Marketplace will be comprised of an African Diaspora (African, African American, Caribbean, etc.), venders and merchants, visual artists and craftsmen, as well as representatives from major community organizations with “like-minded” missions to educate, uplift and economically strengthen our diverse world communities.

Location: Milstein Hall of Ocean Life throughout the day.

The UJIMAA=UJAMAA MARKETPLACE will also offer workshops in African Mask Making & Puppetry specifically geared to teach young people of the varying cultural art forms created throughout Africa. Called the “LIFE CELEBRATION” HARAMBEE, artist/anthropologist/teacher Vickie Fremont, renown for her incredibly inspiring artistic/cultural workshops and classes will conduct two workshop sessions on the balcony of Milstein Hall

12 noon – 1:30 pm The  UMOJA – UNITY CELEBRATION will salute the power of UNITY and feature several artistic organizations (Obediah Wright and Balance Dance Ensemble, IMPACT Rep Theatre, Percussionist David Pleasant) and will include a traditional LIBATION Ceremony to pay tribute to African Ancestry.   

                     

     Artistic Director/Host          Obediah Wright and Balance Dance Ens.                        Lillias White                          Tsidii Le Loka

        James Stovall                                                                                                   (photo: Erik Savage)              (photo: K. Brathwaite)

3:30 pm – 5 pm The IMANI – FAITH CONCERTwill end the day with a concert of outstanding performers and artists who salute our struggle against all odds through FAITH! The concert features Award-winners Lillias White, African artist Tsidii Le Loka, and the Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble, the McCollough Invaders; special guests – Mama Foundation’s Gospel for Teens Choir!

         McCollough Invaders  Gospel for Teens Choir