Friday, August 23-Saturday, August 24 (Fri 4-9pm) (Sat starts at 11am)
Mayme Moore Park, 867 Mt. Vernon Ave.
The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, with support from the Department of Neighborhoods, present the third annual African-American Cultural Festival Friday, August 23 and Saturday, August 24, 2019

Hosted in the heart of the Historic Bronzeville District, a variety of live music, spoken word and dance performances highlight the third annual African-American Cultural Festival. Visual artists, a kids’ fun zone and more will help round out the day. Admission is FREE.

This year’s African-American Cultural Festival will feature entertainment and live performances, education, health and wellness, the cultural corner and main stage performances. Our main stage will enjoy great performances by several groups, including the Urban Jazz Coalition, the Paragon Project, Mark Lomax, MojoFlo, ZuZu Acrobats and Rose Royce.

Main Stage Schedule:

Friday, Aug. 23:
4 p.m. Opening Ceremony
4:15 p.m. The ReDO
7:30 p.m. The Urban Jazz Coalition
Tribute to Sly and the Family Stone

Saturday, Aug. 24:
11:30 a.m.Paragon Project
1:30 p.m. Mark Lomax
3:30 p.m. MojoFlo
5:30 p.m. ZuZu Acrobats
7:30 p.m. Rose Royce

With the festival being in a new location, there will be tours on Friday, Aug. 23, at 6 p.m. to showcase historically relevant sites in the Bronzeville area.

Entertainment and live performances over the weekend will include drumming circles by Ayinde West and Sogbety Diomande teaching drumming. Dancing will be presented by the Jelani Dancers and CRPD Dance, youth dance programs highlighting dance from various community center programs. There will also be poetry and spoken word, as well as a workshop on Senegalese dance.

The African-American Cultural Festival will offer educational opportunities, such as learning hip hop and various dance styles, learning how to grow your food, teaching people how to begin tracing their genealogy, as well as cooking demonstrations and food education. Other fun activities will include learning more about nature, story time and reading programs with the Columbus Metropolitan Library, fire safety education and much more. Health and wellness will be a focus of this festival, with a Black Men Run at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, as well as opportunities for visitors to try yoga and meditation.

The African-American Cultural Festival is produced by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department and Department of Neighborhoods and made possible through the generous support of our partner, American Electric Power Foundation.