12/27/09 Global Weekends: Kwanzaa Spirit 2009 @ American Museum of Natural History

Sunday, December 27, 2009 from 12 noon to 5pm

American Museum of Natural History

Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, First Floor

Located at Central Park West at 79th Street, NYC

Admission: Suggested donation (pay what you want)

Cost of events: Free w/admission

For all ages

Global Weekends: Kwanzaa Spirit 2009!

Public Programs/Education presents

In Association with Community Works and New Heritage Theatre Group

Kwanzaa Spirit 2009! is an all-day celebration honoring the seven African-based principles of Kwanzaa (called Nguzo Saba in Swahili) featuring an international marketplace and performances of song, dance, and spoken word.

Since its inception in 1966, Kwanzaa is an annual celebration founded to salute African origin and African-American life and heritage. The seven “life” principles of Kwanzaa serve as a compass for the programs of the day: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). Kwanzaa Spirit 2009! features African and African-American visual and performing artists, craftsmen and women, and community organizations who demonstrate the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba).

Schedule of Events:

12pm  The Marketplace opens 

1 – 4:30pm  Main stage performances

1 – 2:30pm

Umoja (Unity)

The Unity Processional: An array of dancers, drummers, singers and stilt walkers will begin the celebration with a processional that symbolizes a universal call for unity and world peace. The audience will then be led in a traditional African Libation Ceremony by Artistic Director James Stovall of Community Works and New Heritage Theatre Group.

Kujichagulia (Self-determination)
The mission of inspiring young people with self-determination and empowerment has been the goal of the ADLIB International Steel Drum Orchestra since their founding in 1996. Based in the musical traditions of Trinidad and Tobago, this prize-winning orchestra of young musicians has been successfully nurtured in the art of steel drumming. Their presentation will express a diversity of styles including calypso, sosa, and jazz.

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
Arts organizations in Brooklyn have garnered numerous awards and accolades for training thousands of children and youth in the creative and performing arts. Outstanding among them is Restoration Dance Theatre Company from Bedford-Stuyvesant, under the artistic direction of Karen Thornton-Daniels, which performs traditional African dance with great exuberance and discipline.

2:30 – 3pm
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
An annual highlight of the Kwanzaa celebration is the community of support given to craftsmen, visual artists, vendors, and community organizations through the Marketplace.

3 – 4:30pm
Nia (Purpose)

With a 12-year history of educating and bringing purpose to the lives of young people through the arts, IMPACT Repertory Theatre has raised a harvest of young professionals and community leaders. In 2008, they were honored as nominees for an Academy Award for their participation in the feature film, August Rush. As witnessed by their performance of their song RAISE IT UP at the Oscar ceremony, they continue to touch audiences through their dynamic presentations of music, dance, and spoken word.

Kuumba (Creativity)
Performing for local and national audiences, Vy Higginsen’s Gospel for Teens Choir brings down the house every time they perform. Their natural creative talents have been trained and skillfully articulated as they pay homage to the African-American art form of gospel music. These young artists sing with impeccable vitality and spirit.

Imani (Faith)
“We’ve come this far by faith” is a theme and song that represents the amazing survival of African-Americans throughout the world. Director/Choreographer Obediah Wright & Balance Dance Theatre pay tribute to the African and African-American experience with a 10th anniversary presentation of their acclaimed masterpiece, Higher Ground, Still Rising. This highly praised production, written and directed by Mr. Wright, inspires universal hope for the future!

This event is co-produced by Community Works and New Heritage Theatre Group, under the artistic direction of James Stovall. The Marketplace is organized by the Harlem Arts Alliance.

Programs are subject to change. All programs are free with suggested Museum admission. Neither tickets nor reservations are required. Seating is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended that you arrive with plenty of time to enter the Museum and locate the program space.

For further information, call the Museum’s Department of Education on weekdays at (212) 769-5315 from 9 am to 5 pm.

A three-story parking garage is open during Museum hours; enter from West 81st Street. For public transportation, call (212) 769-5100. 

http://www.amnh.org/programs/specials/kwanzaa/ 

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Note: While you’re there, check out the Origami Holiday Tree! An annual AMNH tradition, the merrily lit, ceiling-high evergreen, graces the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall and is decorated with 500 animal-inspired ornaments, which follow an alphabet theme from Apatosaurus to zebra