Kwanzaa 2014: Our Brightest Lights. The American Museum of Natural History‘s annual celebration features African dance, spoken word, live musical performances and traditional crafts that celebrate Kwanzaa’s seven principles. The day also includes a Kwanzaa Marketplace with vendors, visual artists and craftspeople. Savion Glover’s resume includes a Broadway debut at age ten, a Tony nomination at 15 (he won seven years later), four years on Sesame Street, and a PBS special at the White House. The Tap Dance Kid makes his Museum debut, as he brings in ‘da noise and ‘da funk for the Museum’s 36th annual Kwanzaa celebration! Artistic Director of Yaffa Cultural Arts Linda Humes hosts a dynamic, family-friendly program that will get your toes tapping and includes an exciting film screening, introduced by a special representative of the United Nations. Program is subject to change. Support for Celebrate Culture programs is provided, in part, by the Sidney, Milton, and Leoma Simon Foundation, the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Inc., the family of Frederick H. Leonhardt, and The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation. KWANZAA 2014: OUR BRIGHTEST LIGHTS and HERE WE STAND: HONOR BLACK HISTORY are co-presented by Community Works and New Heritage Theatre Group. The Kwanzaa marketplace is organized by the Harlem Arts Alliance. Free with Museum admission. Saturday, December 27, noon and 3 p.m. Held at the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life and Kaufmann Theater, first floor.
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s preeminent scientific and cultural institutions. Since its founding in 1869, the Museum has advanced its global mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition. The Museum is renowned for its exhibitions and scientific collections, which serve as a field guide to the entire planet and present a panorama of the world’s cultures.
Kwanzaa Celebration at the Apollo Theater: Regeneration Night. This special celebration features Abdel Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre with special guests, Abiodun and Babatunde of The Last Poets, Michael Wimberly, Yacouba Sissoko and F the Elemental. The name Kwanzaa means first fruits in Swahili. This seven-day annual holiday is a seasonal highlight for millions worldwide. The Apollo’s Kwanzaa Celebration is a joyful evening of dance and music honoring the principles of Kwanzaa—family, community, and culture. This annual event features the renowned Abdel Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre and special guests who join the celebration. Award winning radio broadcaster, poet and songwriter, Imhotep Gary Byrd, hosts. December 27 7:30 p.m. $18.
The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit organization established in 1991, is dedicated to the preservation and development of the legendary Apollo Theater through the Apollo Experience of world-class live performances and education programs that honor the influence and advance the contributions of African-American artists, and advance emerging creative voices across cultural and artistic media. Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc.’s vision is to expand the reach of the Apollo Experience to a worldwide audience. The world famous Apollo Theater is so much more than a historic landmark – it is a source of pride and a symbol of the brilliance of American artistic accomplishment. With its rich history and continued significance, the Apollo Theater, considered the bastion of African-American culture and achievement, is one of the most fascinating chronicles in American history.