[Archived] City of Alexandria to Hold African Heritage Cultural Festival – “Reaching Back Moving Forward”

For Immediate Release: May 23, 2011

The City of Alexandria will host the African Heritage Cultural Festival on Saturday, June 18, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St. The Festival theme is “Reaching Back Moving Forward,” highlighting the African-American experience from the Civil War era to the celebration of Juneteenth and current events in Alexandria. The festival will be held rain or shine.

Featured performers include Sandra Johnson, contemporary jazz; SAMO’O and the band JFC, with Caribbean sound; Elikeh, Afro funk music; and the Michael Stephens Project (MSP) R & B.  Additional performers include the Alexandria City Community Theater (ACCT); Hot Topics All Stars Cheer Group; Recreation Center youth performances; and performances by the Alfred Street Baptist, Roberts Memorial United Methodist and Shiloh Baptist church groups performances.

Festival displays showcase traditional arts, crafts, paintings and souvenirs; a Film Festival in the Alexandria Black Museum, and exhibits & workshops inside of the Charles Houston Recreation Center.  Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The City’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and the African Heritage Cultural Festival Committee are cosponsoring the festival.  The Office of Historic Alexandria and the Alexandria Black History Museum contributed to the planning of the festival.

Visitors to the historic district are encouraged to take the Metro Yellow or Blue lines to the Braddock Road Station in Old Town, take DASH or Metro Buses.  Visitors parking in some residential area and metered parking is limited.  For DASH schedule information, call 703.370.DASH or visit dashbus.com.  For Metro bus schedule information, call 202.637.7000 or visit wmata.com.

For additional information, visit alexandriava.gov/recreation, or call the City’s Special Events Hotline at 703.746.5592 or the Office of Special Events at 703.746.5418.
 
The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the City’s Human Rights Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act.  To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, call Cheryl Lawrence, Regional Program Director, Office of Special Events, at 703.746.5419(TTY 703.838.4902) or e-mail cheryl.lawrence@alexandriava.gov.