For Immediate Press Release!
Madison Embraces African Fest 2000

On Saturday, August 19, the people of Madison will have an opportunity to
participate in Africa Fest 2000 under the sub-theme, "reaffirming cultural
links in the new millennium."  The Festival will officially commence on
Martin Luther-King Blvd with a Masquerade procession led by the Gorboi Mask
and all the drummers for the day.  Began in 1998 as "a festival of African
folk life," the theme remains the same - "building and bridging
 communities!"  The African Festival is a vehicle "to promote and preserve
the UNDERSTANDING of African Culture and heritage, and to unite the diverse
ethnic and racial groups of the Madison community."   Africa Fest 2000 will
take place at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, 1 John
Nolan Drive, Madison, Wisconsin.

There are two parts to the festival.  The first part will run from 10 A.M to
5 P.M.  This part is divided into two sections, both dealing with African
folk life.  The main stage performances will show case a variety of
activities such as a traditional Sierra Leone Wedding Ceremony.  The
Ceremony is a continuation of the 1998 Engagement ceremony, commonly known
as "put stop."  Kweku Ananse and the Sweet Vibrations will showcase their
eclectic ensemble with a rhythmically acrobatic performance by Habib
Iddrissu. There will also be performances from the Edo and Ewe (E-VAY)
cultural groups, Brimah Moiwah from North Carolina and Madison's own, Goongo
Peas.

Cultural exhibitions will be on going.  Africans will illustrate cultural
identities, from the continent and the Diaspora. The children's room will
feature hands-on African activities.  For adults, there will be music,
songs, dance, food, and hair braiding demonstrations.  Many vendors will be
on hand to promote African cultural commerce.  Guests may participate in all
celebrations. They will also be entertained to Africa's diverse cultures.
Guests will sample food, share past festival experiences and visit with the
vendors.  It is a day the whole family could come together and enjoy the
pride of the Africans in Madison. This is what makes Africa tick.  At 5 PM,
the Gorboi masquerade will emerge again to close the day's event and to open
plans for the evening.

There will be a grand African ball from 8 P.M. to 12:30 A.M. at the Monona
Terrace, featuring "De Great Steady Bongo," from Sierra Leone, West Africa.
Steady Bongo combines the best of a new generation of African Musicians
emerging from the turmoil of civil strife.  For a preview of Bongo's popular
music style, the "Born 4 Suffer" tour will open in Madison on Friday, August
18th at the Memorial Union, UW-Madison. The Rising Star, STEADY BONGO with
his cultural heroes, will provide the latest music from the continent right
here in Madison.

Please join us on Saturday, August 19, 2000 at the Monona Terrace Community
and Convention Center. You'll be glad you did.

For further questions, call the Festival Planning and Implementation
Committee:

(608) 258-0261
Email: [log in to unmask]

Sincerely,
Abu-Hassan Koroma
 Chairman, Marketing & Publicity sub-committee.


"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."
                              --Ralph Waldo Emmerson

www.africanartville.org

Shopping Mall: http://www.npsmall.com/african2000.asp

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