A celebration of the First Fruits of the Harvest and recitations of the seven principles of the Nguzo Saba will mark the 34th annual cultural acknowledgement of the African-American holiday known as Kwanzaa.
Slated for Dec. 29 at the Museum of Natural History, the annual gathering coordinated by New Heritage Theater and Community Works promise a half day full of treats.
Beginning at noon, the rich traditions of Kwanzaa will be evident with an international marketplace, performances, and tributes to distinguished individuals who have been guided by the holiday’s seven guiding principles. Culled by Dr. Maulana Karenga to unite and advance African-Americans, they foster and promote unity, purpose, self determination, creativity, co-operative economics, collective work and responsibility and faith.
Hosted by storyteller Linda Humes, highlights will include a special interview about Karamu (African Feast) with restaurateur B. Smith. Family-friendly hands-on activities are also planned.
Choreographer Obediah Wright will lead the Restoration Dance Theatre Company and Balance Dance Theater through a program that also includes newcomers Soul Steps and Underground System Afrobeat.
The museum is located at 79th St. & Central Park West.
Belafonte Will Be Back In Brooklyn For MLK Day
Civil Rights activist and actor Harry Belafonte is slated for another high profile appearance in Brooklyn to keynote the annual tribute to his associate and friend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
His winter re-visit to the borough he walked as Grand Marshall during the end of last summer’s West Indian Day parade is slated for the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Jan. 21.
The 27th annual birthday tribute to the martyred Nobel laureate bills ‘Come Share The Dream,’ for a celebration that re-affirms King’s visionary speech and hope for America when he revealed to the world in a speech “I Have A Dream.”
The free event begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Howard Gilman Opera House.
Belafonte will deliver the keynote address.
The event will be marked by performances from The Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir and Kindred The Family Soul.
In addition streaming of inaugural events for President Barack Obama will highlight New York City’s largest public celebration held in honor of the iconic trailblazing human rights activist.
Deputy Borough President Sandra Chapman will emcee the proceedings.
Simultaneous to the celebration, complimentary MLK weekend programming includes a presentation with the Black Rock Coalition Orchestra Salute to Richie Havens at BAMcafe Live.
“Picture The Dream” an art exhibition will also display images related to the life and work of the southern, Black preacher who was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee because he dared to dream.
BAM is located at 30 Lafayette Ave.
Grenada will not ‘Legalize It’
Grenada will stand firm against pressure to legalize marijuana.
The island’s Prime Minister Tillman Thomas made the declaration on Dec. 7 when he addressed the 9th Annual General Meeting of the Grenada Drug Information Network and National Observatory on Drugs (GRENDIN/NOD).
“Today, amid renewed attempts at the regional and international levels, I wish to place on record that my government will not yield to such pressures or persuasions,” the PM said, “We will not decriminalize or legalize marijuana.”
He said the recent decision by some American states to decriminalize marijuana has again brought more public focus on the issue.
He said the government rejected calls to decriminalize marijuana 10 years ago and will stick to its position.
One of the reasons for the government’s staunch position he said is the potential impact on “national well-being and law and order.”
He pledged to continue working with the regional and international community to suppress the flow of drugs through the region destined to the northern market.
He commended the establishment of GRENDIN — renamed Grenada Drug Epidemiology Network (GRENDEN) — which became the first mechanism in the region for allegedly “collecting and collating drug-related statistics in an organized, timely and reliable manner.”
“This tool is an invaluable part of our fight to reduce and ultimately eradicate the use and abuse of illegal drugs in Grenada and our region. It’s an accomplishment, not just for GRENDIN, but for the people of Grenada,” the prime minister added.
Catch You On The Inside!
