Mexico City is hosting the 6th Annual African Drum and Cultures Festival, subtitled “A Reencounter with our African Diaspora”, from March 14th through the 22nd, organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Federal District and Festival del Tambor y la Cultura Africana, A.C. The festival takes place in various fixed and mobile venues around Mexico City and covers a range of cultural events focusing on rhythm and dance, making reference to three basic themes: the transport of millions of Africans to the New World during the slave trade era, the evolution of afro-american cultures through the combination of the african cultures with native american and european roots, and the emergence of cultural identities based on african origins.
Program (subject to change):
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Inauguration: “African Brotherhood Day”, the Lindbergh Forum, Parque Mexico, Deleg. Condesa. African, Latin American and Caribbean gastronomy and crafts fair; presentation of artisitic grouops. Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Monday, March 16, 2009
African Dances Masters class (Prof. Karin Keita – Guinea), at Centro Cultural La Piramide, Cerrada de la Piramide and Calle 24, Col. Mixcoac. Time: 7 pm – 9 pm
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Presence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo at UNAM; Conferences, painting exhibition, gastronomic and crafts shows at the Aula Maga of the Faculty of Philosophy of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Time 11 am – 3 pm.
Wednesday March 18, FridayMarch 20 and Saturday March 21, 2009
Harmony in Movement
Caribbean Rhythms and Guinean Dance Classes at Dr. Velasco No. 192 (corner of Cuauhtemoc)
Times: 4 pm – 6 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm
Contact: 5588 5680, 5761 7947
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Circle of Percussions, artistic presentation by the Magbana Drum and Dance group from Guinea at the Rectory Esplanade of the Autonomous Metropolitan University – Iztapalapa. Time: 2 pm
Conferences and gastronomic show at Sala Cuicacalli, Autonomous Metropolitan University – Iztapalapa. Time: 4 pm
Magbana Drum and Dance group activities with at-risk youngsters at the Kiosco of Deleg. Azcapotzalco, Time: 7 pm
Friday, March 20, 2009
Artistic presentation by the Magbana Drum and Dance group from Guinea at Prolong. Canal de Miramontes No. 3855, Ex-Hacienda de San Juan de Dios, Deleg. Tlalpan. Time: 5 pm
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Magbana Drum and Dance group activities with at-risk youngsters at the Cultural Center, Deleg. Azcapotzalco, Time: 12:00 noon
Discussion: Los sonidos percutidos del blues by Octavio Herrero; presentation of the Magbana Drum and Dance group, Ruta 61, Av. Baja California 281 between Insurgentes and Nuevo Leon, Col. Condesa. Time: 12 midnight.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Closing festivities: Carnaval parade starting at the Angel of the Independence monument, along Ave. Reforma to the Zocalo, Historic Center of Mexico City. Time: 2 pm.
At the Zocalo: Presentations by Más allá del tam tam, David Bayle – Jamaica, Las Krudas – Cuba, Warabari – México, Magbana Drum and Dance – Guinea-Nueva York. Time: 4 pm – 8 pm.
For more information (in Spanish) visit www.festivalafricano.org
