Celebrate Kwanzaa With a Day of Festivities at Weeksville Heritage Center

Kwanzaa celebrations return to Weeksville for the first time in over 40 years with a celebratory day of music, art and heritage.

The historic site is partnering with Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation for a day-long festival with music, movies, storytelling, crafts and classes. You can take a Calypso dance class, learn Djembe drumming and try your hand at making waist beads. Artists featured during the day include Zulu Soul, Performance by Esota, Asase Yaa Youth Ensemble, Nubian Messengers and DJ Hard Hittin Harry. There will also be a marketplace so you can pick up zawadi (gifts) for your own celebration.

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The afternoon marks the first time Weeksville has celebrated Kwanzaa since 1974. The African-American holiday, celebrated from December 26 to January 1, was created in the 1960s by Dr. Maulana Karenga and honors community, heritage and family. During an anniversary that marks 400 years since the first captive Africans were transported to the U.S., Weeksville is bringing back their Kwanzaa celebration to honor a heritage of resistance and transformation.

The festivities take place on Saturday, December 14 from 12 to 8 p.m. at Weeksville Heritage Center at 158 Buffalo Avenue in Crown Heights. There is a suggested donation of $10 with an additional $15 charge for a separate Sip & Paint event. For the full schedule of events visit the event page online.

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