1:00 p.m. The African Market Opens, filled with delicious foods plus books, unique handcrafted and imported items, art, home décor, natural body care, clothing and jewelry opens and will remain open throughout the event.
2:00 p.m. Drum Call & Processional, Kwanzaa Candle Lighting Ceremony, Affirmation of the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles, the Pouring of Ancestral Libation. The lighting of candles and the ceremony will feature a call-and-response affirmation. The Elegba Folklore Society’s performance company will lead the ceremony. The Society’s performers will also offer African Dance, Music and the Oral Tradition.
These dancers, drummers, and singers focus primarily on West Africa to spur an evolving understanding of the cultural and historical underpinnings of the dance and its music while showing its relationship to the United States. Further, audiences develop an appreciation for the dynamic nature and contemporary influence of this timeless art form.
4:00 p.m. Sharon Rae North sings jazz — straight-ahead, contemporary, smooth, and standards. Her CD, The Way You Make Me Feel, continues to receive airplay internationally and has received phenomenal reviews and sales from around the globe.
Sharon’s performances include opening for major artists, such as Joe Sample and the Crusaders and Patti LaBelle, Boney James, Stanley Clark, Ledisi, Chaka Khan, Chuck Mangione, Bob Baldwin, Marcus Johnson, Rain Pryor and others. Sharon has performed at venues throughout the country, from the storied Twins
Jazz in Washington, DC to Isaac Hayes’ Restaurant in Memphis to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. She has performed at the inaugural Jazz at Maymont festival here in Richmond and other concert series.
Take-Home Craft Making for Children is a cornerstone workshop of the Capital City Kwanzaa Festival. Children will be inspired to create a symbol or other art that will serve as a memento of this family festival and undergird their understanding of the Kwanzaa holiday. Workshops for adults include The Healing Place – alternative approaches to health maintenance. Workshops will be ongoing from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m. Legendary Actress and Humanitarian Miss Ruby Dee Speaks. From stage to screen, Oscar-nominated actress Ruby Dee is a cultural icon. With a career that has spanned over seven decades, the Emmy and Grammy-winning artist is multidimensional having received credits also as a producer and writer. Her roots as a Harlemnite formed the foundation of her acting career, while a member of the American Negro Theatre, where she was a trailblazer and set the path for African Americans in theatre, film and television. Ruby Dee?s creativity (her Kuumba) has been recognized both on screen and behind the scenes.
6:45 p.m. Born the son of musician/activist, Olamina of Awareness Art Ensemble (A.A.E.), a very influential force in introducing African culture and reggae music to the Mid-Atlantic region, Jah-I-Witness’ musical roots run long and deep. As an emcee, this socially conscious Hip Hop artist has created a colorful sound that truly stands out from the grayness of the music industry. With the microphone as his brush and beats as his canvas, Jah-I dips into his life experiences, emotions, and soul to paint sonic masterpieces. He is currently promoting the release of his second solo effort The Struggle, The Love, The Glory (The SLG), a collection of new songs and collaborations with various artists and producers around the world.
8:00 p.m. Formed in 1980, Truth and Rights Reggae Band is a socially conscious ensemble that has been entertaining a wide range of audiences for nearly 30 years.
Known for its political and social message of love, hope and unity, the group has shared the stage with Bob Marley & The Wailers, Third World and Black Uhuru.
9:00 p.m. Festival Closes.
WORKSHOPS
The Healing Space–alternative approaches to health maintenance
Spirit Reading – charting one’s course into the new year
Ills of the Game – lifestyle choices
Survival Skills – applying ancestral wit in the 21st century
Buffalo Soldiers – honoring our heroes
