The African American Dance Ensemble hopes you can join us Kwanzaa Fest on January 1, 2022 at the Durham Armory!!!

Kwanzaa is a celebration for all people, focusing on family, friends, and the fruits of the earth. Celebrated December 26th – January 1st, the name Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first fruits of the harvest.”

Celebrating the holiday season and Durham's diversity, AADE’s annual Kwanzaa celebration is a time to enjoy family, community, and culture. Kwanzaa itself is a seven-day African holiday that celebrates a different principle each day. AADE’s Kwanzaa takes place on the seventh day, which is dedicated to Imani, or faith.

On January 1, 2022, at the Durham Armory we will celebrate with the community. The doors will open to the public at 11 am and the performances will begin at 1:00 pm. We offer a free venue of quality performances, marketplaces and collaborate with businesses and non-profits.

In honor of Baba Chuck Davis, collected canned foods will be donated to the Urban Ministry of Durham

The NC Dance Festival celebrates its 30th Anniversary Season with a live performance in Greensboro on October 2. The performance features 5 NC professional dancers performing the work of Helen Simoneau; a light-hearted duet by Asheville’s Stewart/Owen Dance; and a collaborative performance between classical Indian dancer Aparna Keshaviah and West African drummer Atiba Rorie. The Festival honors its founder, Jan Van Dyke, with a new work based on Van Dyke’s choreography, performed by 3 generations of dancers including former Van Dyke Dance Group company members, and Dance Project pre-professional students and alumni. Three dance films, by Cara Hagan, Jeehyun Joung, and 20 NC dance artists, respectively, will be screened with the performance. Audience members are required to show proof of vaccination or negative COVID tests prior to entry, and masks are required throughout the performance. Tickets are limited, to provide adequate distance between seats.

Virtual works created by Choreographer, Martha Connerton during the COVID shutdown are paired with live works featuring a diverse cast of performers from Charlotte and Greensboro areas.  Also featuring a world premiere live work by Martha Connerton.

Don't miss these one of a kind immersive events including visual art displays from Charlotte Art League and Activist Artist Andrea Downs.

Featuring the work of:

Martha Connerton

Camerin Watson

Jasmine Powell

Kyle Garrison Shawell

Gelly Long

Joshua Lanning/Adrienne Powell with Rogue Artistry

Visual installation by:

Charlotte Art League

and

Andrea Downs

Tickets and Info:

mckineticworks.org

$20 single

$30 Buy 1 get 1 half price

This will be a masked and socially distanced event for performers and audience.  Please bring your own though we will have some at the door.