Aquarium of the Pacific African-American Festival

Celebrating the richness and diversity of African-American and African cultures, the Aquarium’s thirteenth annual African-American Festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, February 21 and 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Guests can experience the sights and sounds of performances by local African-American groups, including Mardi Gras second line dancers, hip hop and break dancers, tap dancers, jazz musicians, interactive drum circle musicians, and West African dancers. The festival will also feature cultural displays, handmade craftwork, ethnic food, and storytellers. Guests will have the opportunity to explore the festival’s offerings and discover the wonders of the Pacific Ocean at the Aquarium.

WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, February 21-22, 2015, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

COST: Free to Aquarium members and included with general admission for the public
General admission: $28.95 adult (12+), $25.95 senior (62+), and $14.95 child (3-11)

Aquarium of the Pacific African-American Festival

Entertainment – SATURDAY

10:00 a.m. African-American Dance — Fantasia

10:40 a.m. Storytelling in the West African Tradition — Baba the Storyteller

11:45 a.m. African-American Song and Dance – PISE (Positive Images of Self Expression)

12:20 p.m. West African Dance — Dembrebrah

12:30 p.m. DJ Seven Seize* / Shark Lagoon

12:55 p.m. The LA LA Mardi Gras Second Liners

1:00 p.m. Spoken Yoga – Deep Red

1:40 p.m. Breakdancing and Popping — Homeland Crew

2:30 p.m. Interactive Drum Circle — Ambianz Muzic Experienz

3:10 p.m. Dancing, from Broadway to Hollywood – Harry V. Scott Jr.

3:30 p.m. Children’s African Storytelling –David Lewis

4:15 p.m. Jazz music ensemble — Music in the Moment

Entertainment – SUNDAY

10:00 a.m. Flute performance – Abdul-Salaam Muhammad

10:40 a.m. Storytelling in the West African Tradition – Baba the Storyteller

11:45 a.m. Dancing, from Broadway to Hollywood – Harry V. Scott Jr.

12:20 p.m. West African Dance — Dembrebrah

12:30 p.m. Children’s African Storytelling –David Lewis

12:55 p.m. The LA LA Mardi Gras Second Liners

1:40 p.m. Heritage Award Ceremony honoring Dr. Matthew Jenkins and Roberta Jenkins

2:30 p.m. Interactive Drum Circle — Ambianz Muzic Experienz.

3:10 p.m. Da Hip Hop Wizzard of Oz preview by LQ’s

3:30 p.m. Breakdancing and Popping — Homeland Crew

4:15 p.m. Music performance by Per Se

All programs subject to change and weather dependent.

Cultural Demonstrators & Exhibitors / Great Hall
Art Display — Michael Seale, Jr.
Art Display – Opoku Acheampong
African Craftwork — Welcome 2 Afrika
Art Display — Betty Evans
Beaded Art — Piasart
Forgotten Images — A Celebration of African and African-American History
George Washington Carver Museum of California

Front Plaza
KHHT Radio – 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Saturday only)