FAMILY FUN DAY
THEME: UMOJA FESTIVAL
In partnership with The SW Atlanta STEAM Stars
WHY UMOJA FESTIVAL?
Umoja, which means Unity- one of the 7 principles of Kwanzaa- is about striving for and maintaining unity in the family, community, nation and race (from the National Museum Of African American History and Culture.
With the celebration of the Black History Month, "I would like to honor those who came before me and celebrate those are here with us now, Our community is changing and we need unity of us all to move positively into the future" says Sonji Sims, founder of South Atlanta STEAM Stars who is hosting the event, in partnership with Manga African Dance, Inc.
The activities planned are:
Music
Poetry
Face painting
Drum workshop
Dance workshop
Dance performance
Dr. Ramatu Afegbua-Sabbatt (Founder/ Executive Director of Manga African Dance) and Ms. Sonji Mims (Founder of SW Atlanta STEAM Stars)
Black History Theme : AFRICAN AMERICAN AND THE ARTS
Credit photos are acknowledged with the link to the article
HIP POP MUSIC
Article and photos by USA Today
‘The South got something to say’: Inside the rise of Atlanta hip-hop
Sierra A. Porter, Des Moines Register
Published 7:01 AM EST Feb. 10, 2021 Updated 7:01 AM EST Feb. 10, 2021
Read article here
I think this track works so well because all 4 talk about love but with different variations on it. Andre 3000’s verse is about the romantic ideal of marriage, Pimp C raps about taking someone’s girl, Bun B’s verse is from the perspective of a pimp, and then Big Boi talks about the dangers of love and how making a mistake can cost you everything. Basically 3 separate fantasies or ideal scenarios and then what happens if you choose wrong. Allows them to weave their different personalities into one narrative.
This single means so much. It was one of the last times outkast collaborated on a track as a duo and it was the last single UGK made before Pimp C died later that year. This video marks the end of an era, but the way they celebrate in the song with the wedding theme and it being the "end of a pimping dynasty" was done so perfectly. In my opinion this is a legendary song and video that will be a staple of what southern hip hop was like years from now. #RIPIMPC
VISUAL ARTS
Kara Walker: Using The Horrors Of The Past To Awaken The Present
Jul 10, 2020 • By Zoe Mann, BA Art History
Read article here
The Fons Americanus by Kara Walker
Credit photo:WikipediaA
“The Fons Americanus is an allegory of the Black Atlantic, and really all global waters which disastrously connect Africa to America, Europe, and economic prosperity,” says Kara Walker
THEATER
The Origins of Black Theatre
Post published:February 11, 2021
Post category:Black History Month
Read article here
PERFORMING ARTS
Manga African Dance, Inc.
Manga African Dance, established in 1990 by Dr. Ramatu Afegbua-Sabbatt, stands as a prominent performing arts company dedicated to preserving, presenting, and instructing indigenous African cultural arts. Operating as a non-profit organization, Manga utilizes various artistic mediums such as dance, drums, fashion, drama, songs, African arts, and crafts to fulfill its mission. With a rich history in Atlanta, the company achieved notable recognition, including a performance at the 1996 Olympics. Over its 33-year existence, Manga African Dance has collaborated with the Woodruff Arts Center, conducted educational programs in both public and private schools, engaged with senior facilities, and prioritized outreach to underserved and diverse communities. Since 1998, the company annually marks the Osun festival, an ancient cultural celebration from Osogbo, Nigeria. Additionally, Manga has hosted an annual dance and drum conference in Atlanta since 2000, drawing acclaimed performers from various African dance and drum traditions on local, national, and international levels. Manga has also conducted spring and summer camps since 2018 for the youth population, targeting underserved communities.
Visit website
LITERATURE
Alice Walker Topic Overview
"Walker, Alice (1944-), An Introduction to." Contemporary Literary Criticism Volume 319, Gale, 2012
Read article here
Photo credit: https://thefirstedition.com/product/the-color-purple-2/
Photo credit: https://thefirstedition.com/product/the-color-purple-2/
"The Color Purple" follows an African-American teenager named Celie being raised in rural Georgia in the early 1900s. Through letters written by Celie to God, we follow her struggle with an abusive father, teenage pregnancy, and abusive marriage.
MARCHING ARTS
The Best In the Land: A Complete List of HBCU Marching Bands
By Jessica Fraser / October 24, 2016
Read article here
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