Nashville’s 34th Annual African Street Festival with this year’s theme of “Nashville Then and Now” will be held at Hadley Park, Friday, September 16 through Sunday, September 18, 2016, hosted by the African American Cultural Alliance (AACA). This phenomenal, family-oriented festival has grown continuously and now attracts thousands who are interested in African and African American culture. Festival hours are 6 pm to 8 pm on Friday; 11 am to 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Come explore this fantastic community focused event.
The festival remains one of the city’s premiere events, attracting people of all ages and from all walks of life and from all sectors of the region. And the celebration is now also expanding to include the cultures of the Caribbean, North, Central and South America, in addition to other places around the world where Africa is also represented in its people and cultures.
Some of what’s included each year at the festival are an eclectic mix of live music, such as African, Reggae, Latin, R&B, Jazz, Gospel, Neo-Soul, Country, Blues, African Drumming & More; Spoken Word; and Dance. Visit the New African Pavilion.
Be sure to come out Friday for the Opening Night International Music Block Party.
The Children’s Pavilion features arts and crafts, drumming, dance, storytelling and more Authentic African, American and other cuisines representing the Diaspora.
This year’s special activities and discussion / presentation topics include an Art Show along with African Art Exhibits; a Bike Repair Clinic; an African Spelling Bee for children; the Nashville Civil Rights Monument; and Health Walks. There will be at least 30 distinctive Ethnic Cuisines to sample and over 110 international vendors to shop with.
As always, the festival offers FREE admission and FREE parking. It is completely Handicapped Accessible and Valet Golf Cart Rides (for the handicapped, elderly, or whoever might need them) are graciously provided on a complimentary basis.
The African Street Festival event also gives companies and other organizations a unique opportunity to support one of the largest festivals of this type in the Southeast. To contact them about becoming a sponsor, visit their profile at GivingMatters.com to learn more about them.
The AACA was founded in May of 1983 by several concerned African American community members in Nashville who wanted to promote the positive aspects of African culture.
The primary concern of the African American Cultural Alliance is to enhance the awareness of the cultural and historical background of people of African descent, while providing various outlets in which to take part in demonstrating this culture to others.
The African Cultural Alliance embraces the definition of culture as all material and immaterial things that a people manifests in order to survive, adapt, control and flourish in their environment.
Since 1983, the African Street Festival has sponsored, organized, and operated by the African American Cultural Alliance, with offices located at 1215 – 9th Avenue North, Nashville TN 37208.
The Festival Hotline is 615 942-0706.
