Sonya Hollins, editor
editor@comvoicesonline.com
KALAMAZOO (Mich.)-In honor of the 25th Anniversary of the Black Arts Festival, admission will be 25 cents all day on Friday. Access to the park, vendors and a host of entertainment will cost a quarter. That is the lowest admission for the festival since it moved from a free event at Bronson Park to Arcadia Festival Site a few years ago.
“This is a celebration of 25 years and our theme of Family Reunion,” said Sid Ellis, executive director of the Black Arts and Cultural Center who hosts the annual event.
Ellis hopes this special rate will not only bring more people into the festival than ever before, but also attract newcomers who may have never attended a festival.
The week-long Black Arts Festival began on Monday with storytelling with LaRon Williams at the Kalamazoo Public Library Central Branch. Storytelling enthusiasts for all ages listened to, participated in and told their own stories.
This year’s festival runs through Sunday, Aug. 1, and has already provided free poetry and storytelling events. On Wednesday, the free Mini-Film Festival will be held at the downtown library. From noon to 7 p.m. films from locally made documentaries to Chris Rocks, “Good Hair,” will be shown and discussed by those in attendance. plans to not only highlight the past 25 years of the Black Arts and Cultural Center but to honor families who are celebrating their own family reunion.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Children’s Day in Arcadia Festival site will feature special games, instrument petting zoo, face painting, free ice cream and entertainment by area youth. At dusk, the family movie, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” will also be shown.
On Friday, participants will pay a quarter in honor of the quarter of a century the Black Arts Festival has been in existance. On Saturday, Ellis said, “Those who come into the festival wearing a family reunion T-shirt or Black Arts and Cultural Center T-shirt from any year, will receive $1 off admission. We want people to begin planning their local family reunion events around the annual festival. It will be a way to continue their family fellowship in an exciting way.”
Ellis said families who have memorabilia to share about their families may purchase a booth and can even sell items there as well.
From 5-7 p.m. on Friday, the Fine Arts Invitation Reception will be held in the Gail Sydnor Gallery at the Black Arts and Cultural Center office located in the Epic Center, downtown. That evening at the park, D.J. Chuck will provide musical entertainment and events will be emceed by comedian Simply Shanelle. The night also will feature Ova 3 Treo and evening headliner, Ralph T’s Theory. Various vendors too will be on site offering food, clothing and accessories. Local authors will also be on site to sign books purchased.
Festival in the Park continues from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 31 with Teen Special Performances beginning at 1 p.m. Local ACT-SO gold medal winner Jasmine Franklin will be the headline performer in addition to various other local performers. Evening performance will feature the groups, Funk 211 and Funkilinium and Zapp.
The Zapp Band or Zapp and Roger, is a soul and funk band formed in 1978 by brothers Roger Troutman, Larry Troutman, Lester Troutman, Tony Troutman and Terry “Zapp” Troutman. Known for hits such as “More Bounce to the Ounce”, “Dance Floor” and “Computer Love”, the group was a partial source of inspiration to West Coast hip-hop and G-funk, which came out of the hand clapped-drum beat styled funk of Zapp’s records, with Roger’s use of the talk box becoming another reason for the group’s impact and its success.
On Sunday, Gospel in the Park will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and features Grammy Nominated Sheri Jones-Moffet in addition to various local choirs and gospel entertainers.
Admission:
Friday, July 30: 25 cents all day!
Saturday, July 31: Free until 1 p.m.; $3 before 7 p.m.; $5 after 7 p.m. (discounts same as above).
Sunday, August 1: Free before 1 p.m.; $2 after 1 p.m. with $1 discount for BACC members; (children age 12 and younger are free with paid adult).
Wear a family reunion T-shirt of a Black Arts and Cultural Center T-Shirt and receive $1 off admission.
For more information regarding the Black Arts Festival or information on becoming a vendor, visit: www.blackartskalamazoo.org/events-calendar/56
