SPIRIT OF WEST AFRICA Brings Drumming, Dance, Fashion and More to Seattle Center Armory Today

Spirit of West Africa offers drumming, dance, fashion and an authentic African marketplace, 12 p.m.-8 p.m., today, May 9, in Seattle Center Armory. The traditions of West African countries come to life through this spirited festival of live music, film, art and games.

Now entering its 10th year at Seattle Center, this festival honors and celebrates the performance traditions of West Africa and the African diaspora. See musicians and dancers from Guinea, Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, Honduras, Senegal and Cuba perform on the Armory stage and participate in a West African dance workshop. Featured performers include master kora player Prince Diabaté, Gansango Music & Dance Company, Obo Addy's Okropong, Udoka Cultural Dance, Hagucha Garinagu, Mapathe Diop & Family and Bembe Olele.

Visitors can browse the offerings of local vendors specializing in African products and crafts, including handwoven baskets, carvings, handmade jewelry, masks, singing bowls and drums. Visual artist Marita Dingus will lead an African doll making activity suitable for children of all ages. Nansare Consolata of Best of Both Worlds will send her designs down the runway, showcasing an aesthetic that unites traditional African textiles with modern tailoring. La Teranga will serve delicious West African specialties such as lamb and vegetarian mafe, chicken yassa and a variety of refreshing beverages.

In 2015, Seattle Center Festál explores the "art of culture" in 23 celebrations on weekends throughout the year. The events, organized by ethnic/cultural organizations in partnership with Seattle Center, make use of indoor and outdoor spaces on the grounds and offer wide-ranging entertainment, food, visual displays and exhibits and hands-on learning opportunities. The annual series forms the bedrock of public programming at Seattle Center, captivating and enlightening festival-goers as they experience the distinct cultures that influence the character and course of our broader community.

Seattle Center Festál is a program of Seattle Center Productions. Admission is free-of-charge. For more information on Spirit of West Africa and other Seattle Center public programming, click on www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.

Seattle Center Festál 2015 explores the art of culture on weekends throughout the year. The festivals highlight the diverse cultures and common threads of ethnic communities in our region with traditional and contemporary art, music, foods, youth activities, workshops, marketplaces and more. This collection of 23 cultural events is produced with the generous support of Coca-Cola, Alaska Airlines, T-Mobile, KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, Boeing, RealNetworks and 4Culture. Additional support is provided by the City of Seattle and Seattle Center Foundation.

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