The Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum is celebrating the seven days of Kwanzaa with performances, storytelling, and craft and dance workshops. Events take place daily at ACM from noon to 2 p.m. We encourage visitors of all ages to join us for these free, family events. Registration is requested, not required, and can be completed by visiting: anacostia.si.edu/kwanzaa
A full schedule of events is below:
Thursday, December 26 — Kwanzaa Opening Ceremony, Umoja (Unity)
The week-long celebration kicks off with this afternoon gathering, uniting families and communities. Storyteller and griot Mama Ayo leads the traditional candle-lighting ceremony, pours the libation honoring ancestors and shares the history of Kwanzaa. Taratibu Youth Association, a performing arts group for the youth of the African diaspora, will follow.
Friday, December 27 — Family Workshop, Kujichagalia (Self-Determination)
A family workshop led by Jessica “Culture Queen” Hebron, a Grammy-nominated teaching artist and children’s musician, will encourage self-determination through affirmations, song, dnace and hands-on activities.
Saturday, December 28 — Verbal Gymnastics Workshop, Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
This live interactive storytelling workshop will honor those have inspired our lives, prompting visitors to share stories of their personal heroes. The theatre company Verbal Gymnastics will then play back these stories with actors and musicians.
Sunday, December 29 — Memory Box Craft Workshop, Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Families will decorate and fill their own memory box in this arts and crafts workshop led by artist Tamara Thomas. Participants are encouraged to bring their own photos and trinkets. Ms. Thomas will also lead an Ujamaa vision project, discussing what is needed in local communities and the benefits of having a family or community business.
Monday, December 30 — African Dance Workshop, Nia (Purpose)
African cultures imbue every dance with purpose, from rites of passage to communing with the spiritual world. Khepera Wellness, a community-oriented yoga studio, will celebrate Nia through this African Dance Workshop, guiding participants through intentional movements.
Tuesday, December 31 — Family Kwanzaa Bag Workshop, Kuumba (Creativity)
Local artist Rain will lead families in this arts and crafts workshop creating and decorating family Kwanzaa bags. The bags can be used in many ways, including carrying handmade Kwanzaa gifts or the fruits of the harvest.
Wednesday, January 1 — Spiritual Dance Workshop, Imani (Faith)
Start the new year with a performance and workshop on miming and liturgical dance guided by Crazee Praize. Landle and Antoinette Jones will then lead a discussion on what gifts and talents keep participants hopeful despite life’s challenges.
The museum has welcomed the local community to celebrate Kwanzaa for over fifty years and this year, ACM will be displaying images of past Kwanzaa celebrations nightly on the museum’s façade December 19-Jan 2nd.
The Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum is located at 1901 Fort Pl SE Washington, DC 20020. It is open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (except Dec. 25) free of charge. More information about the museum’s current exhibition and public programs can be found on the museum’s website at anacostia.si.edu.
