Are you a writer, musician, or performer whose work celebrates Caribbean cultural heritage?
We need your talents on June 9th from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library – District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL)-901 G St, NW, Washington, DC.
Anancy (Ananse or Anansi) is the West African trickster hero of numerous folk tales that are popular across the Caribbean and throughout the African Diaspora. This clever and conniving character is familiar to millions of people around the world.
Anansy! Anansi! Festival is a celebration of the Caribbean’s diverse and spectacular cultural heritage, both traditional and contemporary, and is designed to have special appeal to the young and young at heart. If you are a writer, musician, artist, dancer or any other creative mind whose work celebrates Caribbean culture and your work is ideally suited for children and young adults, you are invited to submit a request to participate in Anancy Festival 2012 which will take place in South Florida, Kingston, Washington D.C., and Orlando on Saturday June 9th. There is no charge to participate in this festival.
To submit your request to participate, click on “Contact Us”.
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PRESS RELEASE
MAY 2, 2012 — The Inaugural Anancy! Anansi! Festival in Washington, DC will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2012, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. The event takes place at The Martin Luther King Jr. Branch of the DC Public Library, located at 901 G Street Northwest Washington, DC 20001. Admission is free.
The Anancy! Anansi! Festival, named for Anansi, the West African trickster of folklore, is a celebration of Caribbean-American culture that’s geared toward children and teens. The festival provides a unique way for youngsters to learn about their cultural heritage and experience a rich collection of stories, music and dance.
Xavier Murphy and Dr. Andrea Shaw are the driving forces behind the festival and its co-founders. Writer and publisher Kellie Magnus joined the team in 2011 to coordinate the first Anancy Festival in Jamaica. Dr. Claire Nelson of the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington, DC and Eva Wilson of Socamom.com are the coordinators of the Anancy! Anansi! Festival in Washington, DC event as part of the nationwide Caribbean American Heritage Month Celebration.
“The Anancy! Anansi! Festival was added as an official celebration of National Caribbean American Heritage Month in 2010 and the goal is to add more cities every year making this a truly national event,” stated Dr. Nelson, Chair of the National Commemorative Committee for celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month (CAHM). “In Washington DC, this event will be the Opening Act of the CAHM AllSPICE Festival of the Arts and Humanities in Washington DC now in its fourth year. We are encouraging Caribbean organizations across the country to join us…it is not too late to set up your own Anancy! Anansi! Festival in your city. All you need is the right initiative and attitude and aptitude! We are here to guide you as to protocols to get this done.”
“I am honored to be a part of the coordination of this festival in the DC area, “says Eva Wilson. “As a first generation Caribbean American, with children, it is important for me and parents like me to keep our children connected to our culture.”
The Festival promises a morning of song, dance, stories and fun. The event is geared toward youngsters, but adults won’t want to miss the unique performances. The Anancy! Anansi! Festival offers an enjoyable way for people of all ages to experience the rhythm of the islands through dance, music and written word.
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