DanceAfrica Tributes Ancestors at African Burial Ground National Monument Today

African Burial Ground National Monument, in partnership with the Brooklyn Academy Of Music (BAM), cordially invites the public to the launching of the 36th Annual DanceAfrica Festival with a special tribute to the ancestors who are buried at the African Burial Ground cemetery in Lower Manhattan. The event will take place today, May 18, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The program includes a libation ceremony which will be conducted by the DanceAfrica Council of Elders; music and drumming; and dance performances byUmkhathi Theatre Works from Zimbabwe and the United African Dance Troupe of New York City. The tribute is under the guidance of DanceAfrica artistic director Baba Chuck Davis.

Members of the community and visitors to the African Burial Ground National Monument are encouraged to take part in this celebration; and, to enjoy a day of fun and exciting activities in recognition of National Kids to Parks Day. For more information visit: www.parktrust.org/kidstoparks. Youths who complete the park's Junior Ranger Program will earn Junior Ranger badges and certificates. The African Family Memory Box Workshop will be offered for the public at 12:00 Noon.

The DanceAfrica festivities continue at BAM (30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY) on May 19, 2013 and May 24-27, 2013 with dance, music, art, film, and an outdoor bazaar. For more information visit: www.bam.org.