Join over 75,000 attendees at this year's 44th annual International African Arts Festival (IAAF), beginning Thursday, July 2 - Sunday, July 5, 2015 at Commodore Barry Park with star-studded headliners, including hip hop artist Talib Kweli, jazz musician Norman Connors, the rock band Living Colour and beloved salsa singer Cita Rodriguez, amongst others.
The International African Arts Festival began in 1971 as the African Street Carnival, a PTA's block party fundraiser for an independent school in Bedford Stuyvesant with about 20 arts and crafts vendors and food prepared by the parents.
Today, the IAAF is a community-based, non-profit organization that produces an annual event-- four days of family-friendly, fun-filled art, culture, and entertainment that celebrates the African Diaspora in Brooklyn, New York City, the United States and from around the world.
The small vendor market has grown into an African marketplace with more than one hundred micro-enterprise vendors and entrepreneurs. Local talent from across the borough will also perform. Participants can also look forward to other special highlights, including a talent show, street theatre performance, fashion show, a natural hair show, a barber competition, as well as food and drinks!
:::::::::: CONFIRMED ARTISTS ::::::::::
Living Colour (GRAMMY® award-winning band: Rock!) July 4
Talib Kweli (your favorite rapper's favorite rapper: Hip Hop!) July 3
Norman Connors (famed musician: Jazz + R&B!) July 4
Kaïssa (Cameroon-born esteemed vocalist: World Music!) July 5
Cita Rodriguez (beloved Bronx-born Puerto Rican vocalist: Salsa!) July 2
New Kingston (new generation music: Reggae!) July 2
Ayanna Gregory (soul singer, activist: Healing Message Music!) July 5
...and more!
WHAT: International African Arts Festival
WHEN: Thursday, July 2 - Sunday, July 5, 10:00am - 9:00pm, rain or shine
WHERE: Commodore Barry Park, Flushing Avenue and Navy Street in Fort Greene
HOW MUCH: Donation: $5 adults + $2 children
