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Atlanta Youth Rite of Passage Festival 2024

Updated: Nov 4

A COLLABORATION BETWEEN WRFG ATLANTA 89.3FM AND MANGA AFRICAN DANCE


A rite of passage is a ceremony that marks the important transitional moments in a person 's life, often referred to as a milestone. Manga's Annual Youth Rite of Passage Festival is a celebration of art and culture that takes place every year.

The goal for Manga is to instill in our youth a strong feeling of self-achievement and self-confidence; to develop dance skills, body coordination, and fitness; to cultivate leadership skills and teamwork; and to expose the youth to the rich background of Africa culture and history.

Beyond dance and drum instruction, the program last year included hands-on activities in partnership with the Fulton Arts and Culture Community Partnerships, a youth forum with the founders of youth ensemble companies, partners to this program, dance and drums classes, and a concert performed by the children, contributing to students' sense of identity within their community. A big thank you to the Fulton Arts and Culture Community Partnerships!




LOCATION

Little Five Points Community Center: 1083 Austin Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

City Dance and Music: 524 Plasters Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30324



Weekend Event Schedule

This is an exciting weekend filled with creativity and learning! This year, children will not only engage in hands-on activities to create amazing dance props, but also have the unique opportunity to share their voices during a forum guided by the wisdom of our elders. The program will include songs, plays, and storytelling that highlight African ways of life, alongside a history lesson about the inspiring Queen Amina of Zaira City, Nigeria. Children aged 4-17 are invited to participate in free dance and drum classes, culminating in a vibrant concert performed by the Manga Patel youth company, also free for the youngsters.


***** Attention: 2 venues hold the event.

  • Friday 13 @ WRFG Atlanta Conference room, 1083 Austin Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

    African dance class with live drumming 6:30pm - 7:15pm

  • Saturday 14 @ City Dance and Music, 524 Plasters Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

    • African art activities 1pm - 2pm

    • Wisdom sharing with the Elders forum : 2:15pm - 3:15pm

    • Energetic drum class : 3:30pm - 4:30pm

    • Concert performance by Manga’s Patel youth company starting at 5:00pm

  • Sunday 15 @ WRFG Atlanta Conference room, 1083 Austin Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

    • Storytelling of the African ways of life: 1pm - 2pm

    • History lesson of Queen Amina of Zaria City, Nigeria: 2:15pm - 3:15pm

    • Songs and plays, an important piece of a kid's childhood: 3:30pm - 4:30pm




2023 PHOTOS




Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge our supports.


Georgia Council for the Arts: "This program is supported in part by Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. Georgia Council for the Arts also receives support from its partner agency

- the National Endowment for the Arts."


Fulton County for the Arts and the Fulton County Bord of Commissioners: Funding for this program is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioner.


Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta: Funding provided (or funded in part) by a grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.


City of Atlanta, Mayor's Office of Cultural Affaires: "This program is supported in part by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs"


South Arts



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