Schedule Announced for Rediscovering the African Burial Ground 20th Anniversary Commemoration
By: Lauren Wolman Sep. 25, 2011
The National Park Service has announced the schedule for the African Burial Ground National Monument's 20th Anniversary Commemoration, taking place from Oct. 4-8, 2011. The schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
10:30AM: Film Series - Eric V. Tait, Jr., director of the film, "Then I'll Be Free to Travel Home," will conduct a screening of the documentary, and provide commentary about the making of the film. Part 2 (56 min.) of the film will be shown. A question and answer period will follow the screening of the film. RSVP required (212) 637-2019
NOON: 60 Seconds of Silence: The African Burial Ground National Monument will honor the lives of the estimated 15,000 enslaved and free Africans and African descendants who are buried in the African Burial Ground cemetery by observing 60 seconds of silence at 12 noon on each day of Youth Week (October 4-8, 2011). During this time frame, everyone is encouraged to stop, think and reflect upon the lives of those who are buried in the African Burial Ground and the horrors of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.
12:15PM: Gallery Talk - "The Slave Revolt of 1741"
1:00PM: Children's Story Time
2:00PM: An Introduction to Ancient and Early African Writing Systems andthe Philosophical Language of Adinkra by Pat Leonard. RSVP required (212) 2637-2019
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
11:00AM: Workshop presentation on other rediscovered African Burial Grounds. RSVP required (212) 2637-2019
NOON: 60 Seconds of Silence
NOON: Children's Story Time
1:00PM: Film Series - "George Washington Carver" (29 min.)
2:00PM: Rev. Pat Singletary from the Harlem African Burial Ground Project. RSVP required (212) 2637-2019
Thursday, October 6, 2011
11:00AM: A workshop on "Proverbs, Aphorisms and Mother Wits- Learning from the Wisdom of Ancestors and Elders" by Pat Leonard. RSVP required (212) 2637-2019
NOON: 60 Seconds of Silence
12:30PM: "For Freedom's Sake" - A first-person presentation by Nicola and Rufus James about the African presence in New York during the 18th Century. RSVP required (212) 2637-2019
1:00PM: Children's Story Time
2:00PM: Children's Entertainment: face painting, a magician and animal balloons
3:00PM: Gallery Talk-Burial Practices and Pinkster
3:30PM: Film Series - "The Maggie Walker Story" (12 min.)
Friday, October 7, 2011*
10:45AM: F.R.E.E.D.O.M. Academy performance
11:00AM: Ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of the rediscovery of the African Burial Ground
NOON: 60 Seconds of Silence
1:00 PM onward - "Ceremony of Receiving African Names" conducted by Queen Mother Dr. Delois Blakely for the general public.
1:15PM: African Drum and Dance performance by F.R.E.E.D.O.M. Academy
1:30-4PM: Exhibit on slavery in New York in the visitor center. Gene Peters, the exhibit's curator and an African Burial Ground NM volunteer, will be on-hand to answer questions.
2:00PM: Film Series - Shawn Utsey will conduct a screening of his documentary, "Meet Me in the Bottom" (45 min.) a film about the Richmond Burial Ground in Virginia. A question and answer period will follow the screening. RSVP required (212) 2637-2019
4:30PM: Carolyn Evans will bring history alive through first-person interpretation of two African-American women who changed the world: Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth. RSVP required (212) 2637-2019
6:00PM: Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy (The name Ifetayo comes from the West African Yoruba word meaning, "love is enough for joy") youth will provide a spirited performance incorporating African dance, drum and song.
6:30PM: Universal Creative Arts Ensemble-Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble - traditional African songs, instruments, dance and stilt walker
7:15PM: Performance by the African Caribbean group Something Positive, Inc.
(30 minute performance)
*Memorial and Visitor Center will remain open until 8:00PM
Saturday, October 8, 2011
10:00AM: Libation ceremony with Gregory Carr featuring a drum circle
11:00AM: Family Memory Box Workshop. RSVP required (212) 2637-2019
NOON: 60 Seconds of Silence
1:00PM: Poetry Slam, "A Shout Out to the Ancestors"
2:00PM: Red Storm Drum and Dance Troupe - This program offers insight into Native American history, art and music. It also showcases the music and dance traditions of America's indigenous nations.
6:30PM: Candle lit "A Broader View" walking tour will leave from Federal Hall National Memorial and conclude at African Burial Ground National Monument's outdoor memorial. RSVP required (212) 2637-2019
6:30PM: Candle lit "Abolitionist" walking tour will leave from African Burial National Monument and conclude at the site's outdoor memorial. RSVP required (212) 2637-2019
All events are free. Schedule is subject to change.
ATTENTION ALL DRUMMERS
THERE IS AN URGENT CALL FOR DRUMMERS TO PARTICIPATE
IN A DRUM CIRCLE FROM 9:00AM - 4:00PM TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY,
AND 9:00AM UNTIL 1:00PM ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2011
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