Denis Opudo
Africa Salon festival will be taking place for the fourth time since the launch. The festival will take place from 5th to 8th April 2018 at New Haven and Yale. It will bring together dancers, artists, photographers, writers and comedians on the same floor. The main aim of having the festival is to allow Africans in diaspora celebrate their culture and art. African Saloon festival is organized by Betty MacMillan and The Whitney. Betty comes from Center for International and Area Studies at Yale. The event was created by Ewurama Okai from Woodbridge Fellow at the Yale Office of International Affairs.
The urge to look for the reality, future, and history of the black diaspora by the African creative is on the rise globally. This comes amidst political wrangles across Africa. The African Salon festival allows the attendees to discuss widely the African culture. They should give listeners all the historical background of the African culture. They should also encourage the African communities to embrace the strong African artist and culture.
The likes of My Noose and My Tongue is spoken word shows will grace the 2018 festival. African Lens will give the viewers a true picture of how Africans take themselves and the continent as a whole. African Lens is a 2018 media exhibition. The panel will comprise of Detangling Our Roots and (Re) Presenting Heroes. The latter will look at why the African children need to be represented in the superpower. Detaining Our Roots will interview the cultural and historical side of questioning black hair.
The weekend of that week will give the viewers a lot about the African culture. Dancers and those not willing will be introduced to the popular afrobeat type of dances by Dance!. Taste of Africa will introduce people to African culture. This will take place via food, getting different types of dishes. Furthermore, it will use that to show the history and importance of different types of food. The 2018 festival brings the young and talented creative from the diaspora. There will be the present of Katlego Kai Kolanyane-Kesupile a TransARTivist with the Botswana origin. Nigeria will be represented by Chuma Nwokolo who is a writer and also an author. Mukami Kimotho a Kenyan entrepreneur will also grace the occasion. Clifford Owusu who is a comedian will represent Ghana.
The event will be open for public viewing at no cost. Much detail for those interested can be found on the platform’s website the AFRICA SALON. One can also register to get the regular updates to the schedule and the lineups.
