37th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL AFRCIAN FESTIVAL RETURNS
WEEKSVILLE HERITAGE CENTER CELEBRATES JULY 5th

By Keith L. Forest

The 37th Annual International African Arts Festival returns to Brooklyn Thursday July 3, through Sunday, July 6th at the spacious Commodore Barry Park near the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Themed “Akili na Moyo” which means Mind & heart in Kwi Swahili, the family friendly cultural extravaganza, which features live music, spoken word and dance performances includes a variety of seasoned and emerging local talent and its extensive marketplace that includes authentic African arts & crafts, clothing, story telling, cloths and youth talent search.

This years performance highlights include Jazz greats Brian Jackson; interactive dance workshop taught by various African And Contemporary Dance chereographers; . Other highlights include an outdoor fashion show featuring the latest fashions from top African American Designers and The Natural Hair Fashion Show, which display the sheer magic from New York top stylists.

Although July 4, 1827, officially marks the legal date New York slaves were finally emancipated, because of threat of violence, the newly freed citizens were not allowed to celebrate until the following day, July 5. To honor this rich history, Weeksville Heritage Center in concert with BAM about Brooklyn will present an outdoor lecture and concert. Starting at 5:00 PM, noted speaker Sherrill D. Wilson, will share a presentation the highlights the triumphs from slavery to freedom followed by a free outdoor concert featuring the six member rock/rap band Game Rebellion. Both events take place on the grounds of Weekville Heritage Center, 1698 Bergen Street (Between Buffalo and Rochester Avenues).

Keith L. Forest is a freelance publicist, writer and proud Bedford-Stuyvesant home owner who lives and works in the beloved community. His current blog space mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.