International African Arts Festival

The holiday weekend starts early for celebrants of the 44th annual International African Arts Festival in Commodore Barry Park from 10am to 9pm this Thursday, July 2 through Sunday, July 5. With three stages and over 150 vendors, the annual event is dedicated to “preserving and honoring our heritage.”

Entrance costs are a donation of $5 for adults and $2 for children, and covers all the arts, dance and musical performances, as well as food, a youth talent show, fashion show, natural hair competition, chess tournament, shopping, and more.

The schedule includes performances by:

• CITA RODRIGUEZ (beloved Bronx-born Puerto Rican vocalist: Salsa!) July 2
• NEW KINGSTON (new generation music: Reggae!) July 2
• TALIB KWELI (your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper: Hip Hop!) July 3
• NORMAN CONNORS (famed musician: Jazz + R&B!) July 4
• LIVING COLOUR (GRAMMY® award-winning band: Rock!) July 4
• KAÏSSA (Cameroon-born esteemed vocalist: World Music!) July 5
• AYANNA GREGORY (soul singer, activist: Healing Message Music!) July 5