Kuumba Festival

Date: 06/22/2011

Thursday, June 23, 12-2pm
KUUMBA kicks off at the East Tennessee History Center on Gay Street from 12-2pm for a luncheon forum focusing on the history of African Americans during slavery and the Civil War; guest speakers Knox Heritage discussing slave cemeteries and African American historical cemeteries; storytelling reenactment by Obakunle Akinlana, of the slave experience before and during the Civil War, artist exhibits and more. Admission is free.
6-8pm At Haley Heritage Square on Dandridge Avenue; Kuumba Watoto West African Drum & Dance Company African Naming Ceremony conducted by High Chief Kayode Faniyi, traditional Yoruba cultural master Teacher and Artist and Film Maker from Oshogbo, Osun State in Nigeria west Africa . Fill free to dress in white attire.
 
Friday, June 24, 6pm
Starting in Downtown Knoxville at 6 PM the JUNKANU Parade will start on Gay Street and Market Square (features festival participants, the original Free Spirit Stilt Walkers, Kuumba Watoto Dance and Drum Company, churches, and community groups who strut, drum, and dance), Come enjoy the “Taste of Africa & the World” from select Chefs & Vendors. The African Market Place on Market Square will have vendors selling traditional crafts, clothing, and foods. The festival culminates with REGGAE ON SQUAR featuring Meg & Dread and Reggae Group Cobalt Blue. After 9pm at the Preservation Pub Reggae Group Natti Lovejoys will perform.

Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26, Chilhowee Park, Gates open 11am- 10pm
Enjoy the African Market Place with traditional crafts, clothing, and foods; the World Children’s Village; and two entertainment stages. On Main Stage at 5:30-6:30pm Meet & Greet with UT Head Basketball Coach Cuonzo Martin and Assistant Coach Marco Harris. Kuumba Watoto West African drum and dance company to follow. Hip hop party stage will showcase local and regional hip-hop and R&B talent. Admission is $5 all day. Children 6yrs and under FREE.

Sunday, June 26, Chilhowee Park, Gates open from12-9pm
Relish in the African Market place as the early afternoon brings forth the Gospel with GOSPEL IN THE PARK and the Knoxville Zoological Garden’s Petting Zoo (Children’s World Village) from 3 PM - 5 PM.
Also featuring Live R&B Recording Artist SHAI at 7pm. Admissions: $5.00; children 6yrs and under FREE, and on Sunday children 12yrs., and under FREE.

The Kuumba Festival (KUUMBA) was started in 1989 by local Knoxville artists and community activists who were looking to showcase local African American art and artists therefore sharing, educating and exposing rich cultural art forms to the Knoxville community. This event gives African American Appalachian Arts Inc.(AAAA) an avenue to reach out and service the Greater Knoxville community through the offering of cultural arts activities. KUUMBA Festival is located in three primary locations including: Knoxville Museum of Art, Market Square/ Downtown and Chilhowee Park. the Kuumba Festival is presented by African American Appalachian Arts, Inc. (AAAA), a non profit 501(c)3 arts organization that focuses on positive social and community development by utilizing creative methods of education through cultural artistic programming and development.

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