SAN DIEGO ---- In celebration of Black History Month in San Diego, the 18th annual Kuumba Fest will return next weekend at the Lyceum Theatre in San Diego's Horton Plaza. The three-day event celebrates black culture, history, cuisine and the arts, with a focus on African heritage.
Among the diverse offerings at the three-day festival, subtitled "Black to Greatness," are an Apollo Theater-style talent show, a fashion show and hairstyling challenge, hip-hop dance and play performances, a speech competition, as always, a gospel concert finale. An African Market Place featuring arts and crafts by local vendors will be presented in the Lyceum lobby.
Founded in 1993, Kuumba Fest began as an offshoot of the San Diego Urban Warriors' gang diversion program. Founder Daj-ahn Blevins taught arts to at-risk youth as a means of social development, cultural enrichment and self-empowerment. The students presented a sold-out performance at the San Diego Repertory Theatre at the end of the program, and the feedback from the community was so strong, Kuumba Fest was born.
The Kuumba Fest opens at 6 p.m. March 12 with a drum call and live music in the Lyceum courtyard. At 7:15 p.m., the Royal Court Procession will lead the audience into the theater where local dignitaries and volunteers will be honored. The program honors African heritage with a procession of Warrior Kings and Queens in traditional dress and a performance of African dance by Niancho the Mandingo Warrior and Co. The evening will conclude with a performance of the one-hour play "Black at the Gate" from 9 to 10 p.m.
The second day of Kuumba Fest begins at 11 a.m. March 13 with the opening of the free African American Market Place, which will offer health, fitness and community awareness booths, interactive workshops and vendor booths.
At 1 p.m., the Kuumba Kids will present the youth play "It Only Takes One Time," written and directed by Blevins about the importance of social, health and urban survival skills. It also features music by Rene Flenoid and the MADA School of Music.
At 2:30 p.m., R. Muhammad will host an extemporaneous speech competition on the topic "The Advantages of Being Healthy, Active and Fit as an African-American person."
At 3:30 p.m., the Step N Music Showcase and Competition will feature a step team contest, dance showcase and freestyle dance battle organized by Shanna Cofield and STAY Entertainment.
At 4 p.m. comes Taste of Soul ---- a tasting event by San Diego-area black-owned restaurants, caterers and local black chefs. At 6 p.m., a fashion show will feature clothing by local black designers, along with a hairstyling contest by black-owned salons and salons that serve a primarily black clientele.
And at 9 p.m. is "Late Night Live," an Apollo Theater-style talent showcase co-hosted by past performers Guilian "G" Bwinika and Terrilyn Hunter.
The festival concludes March 14 with a full afternoon of programs. The African American Market Place reopens at 1 p.m. with performances of poetry, a live DJ and a youth art exhibit.
At 3 p.m., "The Living Truth" will feature a series of biographical dramatic monologues performed by local Christians sharing their personal testimonies about how they overcame challenges.
At 4 p.m., Taste of Soul returns with healthy cooking demonstrations and a social networking banquet.
And the event concludes with the "How Great Thou Art" gospel event from 7 to 9 p.m.
Tickets for individual events range from $5 to $20; some are free. All events take place at the Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, or in the courtyard immediately outside. Call 619-544-1000 or visit myspace.com/kuumbafest.
