[Archived] Alexandria Celebrates African American Heritage and Cultural Festival

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	July 14, 2006 PIO# 174-06/rdo	Brian Hannigan, Director of Communications, or Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

Alexandria Celebrates African American Heritage and Cultural Festival
Entertainment Includes African Drums and Dance and Gospel and Hip Hop Music

The City of Alexandria’s African American Heritage and Cultural Festival is scheduled for Saturday, July 22, from 1 to 7 pm at Market Square, 301 King St., in Old Town, Alexandria. Admission is free and the festival will be held rain or shine.

“For more than 30 years, we have been able to showcase traditional African heritage in the City of Alexandria,” said Randy Stephens, Chair of the African American Heritage and Cultural Festival Committee, a cosponsor of the festival. “The African American Heritage and Cultural Festival Committee provides the opportunity for the City to display traditional African and African American heritage through song and dance, exhibitors, food, and crafts.”

Entertainment includes African drums and dance from the Whole Village Program, gospel music from Syncere Praze, and hip hop music from Scandalous featuring Alicia Mooreland. Other local bands that will perform are Our Man Muncie Gospel Renaissance, the Special Occasion Band, and the Curly Robinson Trio.

The festival will also feature displays showcasing traditional arts, crafts, paintings, and souvenirs. African American foods will be available for purchase.

The City’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities is cosponsoring the festival with the African American Heritage and Cultural Festival Committee.

For additional information on the African American Heritage and Cultural Festival, call the City's Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686.

Visitors to the historic district are encouraged to take the Metro Yellow or Blue lines to the King Street Metro Station in Old Town, take DASH or Metro buses, or park in one of the convenient parking garages or lots. For bus route information, call the City’s Office of Transit Services and Programs at 703.838.3800. For a parking map, call the Alexandra Convention and Visitors Association at 703.838.4200.

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