For over 40 years, the International African Arts Festival has made the history and traditions of the African diaspora an important part of our city’s larger cultural fabric, and we expect this year, with 75,000 plus projected visitors to drop in Commodore Barry Park over the four-day weekend, to be no different. Festivities are an all-day affair, starting at 10am and continuing until 9pm, rain or shine. This is the oldest event of its kind in the U.S. There’ll be family-style events like dance workshops, runway shows, and educational dialogues, not to mention the sprawling marketplace that will feature handcrafted and original merchandise with everything from imported African fabrics to soap to marble statues to jewelry and T-shirts. And of course, the musical performances of the IAAF should only continue to garner international acclaim, and with past guests like Gil Scott Heron, the Fugees and India Arie, it’s really no wonder.
