A journey from Africa to America, all in one afternoon of storytelling, good jazz, instruments and dance, a free family event on Sunday, Aug. 21 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will show tribute to poetry. This exciting and educational program will be held at the Woodridge DC Neighborhood Library (1801 Hamlin St. NE, Washington, DC 20018).
“American Fruits with African Roots” is a program that will enlighten, inform and commemorate the richness of the cultures that have survived for over 400 years, from Africa to America! This storytelling performance by Nana Malaya & Nubian, along with women and jazz musicians past, present and future, are sure to be an educational afternoon you don’t want to miss!
Nana Malaya was declared “The Dancing Diplomat” since she has performed around the world in places such as Scotland, Japan, Hawaii, Ghana, Barbados, Jamaica and so many more. She has had the honor of performing for the king of Ghana, President Bill Clinton, Rosa Parks and others.
A story about the Dancing Diplomat on All Eyes on DC read:
“Since the age of 16, Nana Mayala Rucker has brought African-centered folklore to life through spoken word and dance. Her craft for telling stories in this manner has taken her around the world. She has performed before well-known political powerbrokers. In her role as a ‘cultural ambassador’ Rucker introduces people of various backgrounds to forms of African dance and music. In her journey, she learned more about the most remote places on earth and the elements of Africa they possess.
“These days, Rucker performs and educates our young ones, ensuring that the arts remain a vehicle for change that people of African descent utilize to their fullest potential. At a time when schools in communities of color have embraced test-based curricula, this elder works hard to bridge the generational gap and ensure that young people have access to a time-tested means of the artistic education that has been proven to uplift. This mission bears a strong similarity to previous ventures, including Nubian Theatre & Dance Co., an international dance company that has exposed children and adults of African descent to the folklore and spoken word since the early 1980s.”
The family program allows adults and children to experience the art of stories told through dance, music and song, and can transform any room into a magical place. A key component of this program is exploring storybooks, which are a major bonus to instill a joy for reading!
There will be instruments large and small for adults and children to play with supervision, as well as lots of interactive activities including rhythmic games such as body percussion (an art of using the body to make sound). This program will introduce common threads in music that have mended lives from Africa to America as we celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month during April.
There will be a pre-reception at 1:30 p.m., followed by the main program at 2 p.m. and a post-reception afterward.
Please join the community in this unique history lesson about our journey from Africa to America, and American fruits with African roots! It is truly another exciting opportunity for you, your students and family. The Western tendency to undermine Africa’s advancements is well known. The story of the Ethiopian people as a point of reference to African realities are reflected throughout the biblical text. When you study the Word, it shows how life began in Africa, Egypt and other lands called the Holy Land. Millions of people travel to the Holy Land, in Africa.
Lyndia Grant is a speaker/writer living in the D.C. area. Her radio show, “Think on These Things,” airs Fridays at 6 p.m. on 1340 AM (WYCB), a Radio One station. To reach Grant, visit her website, www.lyndiagrant.com, email lyndiagrantshowdc@gmail.com or call 240-602-6295. Follow her on Twitter @LyndiaGrant and on Facebook.
