WHAT'S ON

CONTACT:  Marjorie Beazer: 717-3292                    REL#: 2019-FEST01
Email: africancarib1@gmail.com

3rd April, 2019

African Caribbean Cultural Festival Society (TACCFS) Launches New Cultural Festival, May 23-25, 2019

Some say that visionaries are not made, they're born.  Well, thanks to the visionaries of TACCFS we are pleased to announce the inaugural African Caribbean Cultural Festival (The Festival), May 23-25, 2019.  this year's theme:  "African Diasporic Reconnection and Revival".  There, we will be "...educat[ing]..., celebrat[ing] and promot[ing our] intangible heritages", as we bring celebration, education and creativity to bear on what we envision as our country's next calendar event.   We are Caribbean people whose African heritage permeates all we are and all we do; sadly, we don't even know it.  Well, guess what...that's about to change!

So what does that mean?  It means that TACCFS, a new non-profit organization comprised of community members with a passion for culture, education, and preservation.  Namely, Mr. Gavin Christopher, Mr. Joe Martin, Mrs. Tavia Hunte, Dr. Alvin Edwards, and Mr. Alister Thomas who came up with a transformational idea--take back our culture, recapture our heritage, celebrate our creativity and passion, and bring new levels and vantage points!  And thus,...The Festival was born! From there we look forward to enriching, educating, and edifying our youth, community, and country (while preserving it for generations to come!)  

The primary goal of this event is to showcase and feature multiple aspects of Continental and Diasporic African culture and art, and our enduring cultural synergy. Not only that, we have created what we envision being a new, exciting, and unique Caribbean calendar event that will attract visitors from far and wide!

Slated for three (3) power and fun-packed days, The Festival has something for everybody.  Entertainment (our very own Asha Otto will be in the house!!!), education (knowledge, as you know, is power!), and a variety of cultural expressions that will reverberate not just across this country, but the region and beyond (can you say moko jumbie, dancers, drummers, art, men-only and performing competitions, spoken word,....should I go on?!!)  Ok, so here's the lineup:  

African Caribbean Cultural Festival (The Festival)              

Day 1, Thursday, May 23, 2019 - Opening Ceremony.  This kicks off the 3-day culture, creativity, and conversation-filled Festival.   Among our featured speakers who will be offering remarks, are His Excellency Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, Her Excellence Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, African Union Ambassador to the USA.  Also, an invitation has been extended to the Oonie of Ife of Nigeria.  

Day 2, Friday, May 24, 2019 - Conference.  Here, we will have long-overdue discussions and conversations about topics like “Antigua’s Africans: From Where to Here. What Knowing our African origins does for Us” and “Mental Decolinisation”.  Featuring local, regional and international experts education, illumination, and excitement about where we've been/we come from (our history), who we are (our heritage), and where we're going (charting the future and our legacy) are the order of the day.  These conversations promise to be eye-opening and thought-provoking indeed.

Day 3, Saturday, May 25, 2019 (also African Liberation Day) - Cultural Parade & Cultural Village.  On this very auspicious day, we will be celebrating our cultures and heritages as expressed through parade, food and other fare.  Moko jumbies, drummers, dancers, warri exhibition, martial arts demonstrations, and so much more.  All of this excitement culminates at our cultural village at T.N. Kirnon Primary School.  Featuring vendors, student art displays, competitions and results, and more, the cultural village is one of our opportunities to begin reclaiming and showcasing many aspects of our forgotten traditions, including creativity and passion!  

An evening concert featuring cultural artistes and performances (can you say Asha Otto, Nyabinghi drumming & chanting, and Mac Truc?!)  And, to up the ante, how about an MC whose identity won't be revealed until show time (can you guess who??!) will bring The Festival to a rousing close!  Festival-goers clamoring for next year's bigger, better affair!

This, is a labour of love. And, as the Society responds to the need for a vehicle for reclaiming and celebrating our rich and vibrant culture and heritage, we look forward to Festival-goers having an amazing time.  But not just that, this experience "is just the beginning", as we contribute to enhancing our little nook in the world called Antigua & Barbuda.  Here's to us!