New York Celebrates African Burial Ground |
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
When the $1.2 million African Burial Ground Memorial is completed in
See New York City Burial Ground
20th anniversary celebration schedule below
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
10:30AM: Film Series — Eric V. Tait, Jr., director of the film, “Then I’ll
Be Free to Travel Home,” will conduct a screening of the documentary, and
provide commentary about the making of the film. Part 2 (56 min.) of the
film will be shown. A question and answer period will follow the screening
of the film. RSVP required (212) 637-2019
NOON: 60 Seconds of Silence: The
will honor the lives of the estimated 15,000 enslaved and free Africans and
African descendants who are buried in the African Burial Ground cemetery by
observing 60 seconds of silence at 12 noon on each day of Youth Week
(October 4-8, 2011). During this time frame, everyone is encouraged to
stop, think and reflect upon the lives of those who are buried in the
African Burial Ground and the horrors of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.
12:15PM: Gallery Talk — “The Slave Revolt of 1741”
1:00PM: Children’s Story Time
2:00PM: An Introduction to Ancient and Early African Writing Systems and
the Philosophical Language of Adinkra by Pat Leonard. RSVP required (212)
637-2019
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
11:00AM: Workshop presentation on other rediscovered African Burial
Grounds. RSVP required (212) 637-2019
NOON: 60 Seconds of Silence
NOON: Children’s Story Time
1:00PM: Film Series — “George Washington Carver” (29 min.)
2:00PM: Rev. Pat Singletary from the
RSVP required (212) 637-2019
Thursday, October 6, 2011
11:00AM: A workshop on “Proverbs, Aphorisms and Mother Wits— Learning from
the Wisdom of Ancestors and Elders” by Pat Leonard. RSVP required (212)
637-2019
NOON: 60 Seconds of Silence
12:30PM: “For Freedom’s Sake” — A first-person presentation by Nicola and
Rufus James about the African presence in
RSVP required (212) 637-2019
1:00PM: Children’s Story Time
2:00PM: Children’s Entertainment: face painting, a magician and animal
balloons
3:00PM: Gallery Talk—Burial Practices and Pinkster
3:30PM: Film Series — “The Maggie Walker Story” (12 min.)
Friday, October 7, 2011
10:45AM:
11:00AM: Ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of the rediscovery of
the African Burial Ground
NOON: 60 Seconds of Silence
1:00 PM onward — “Ceremony of Receiving African Names” conducted by Queen
Mother Dr. Delois Blakely for the general public.
1:15PM: African Drum and Dance performance by
1:30-4PM: Exhibit on slavery in
Peters, the exhibit’s curator and an African Burial Ground NM volunteer,
will be on-hand to answer questions.
2:00PM: Film Series — Shawn Utsey will conduct a screening of his
documentary, “Meet Me in the Bottom” (45 min.) a film about the
Burial Ground in
screening. RSVP required (212) 637-2019
4:30PM: Carolyn Evans will bring history alive through first-person
interpretation of two African-American women who changed the world: Harriet
Tubman and Sojourner Truth. RSVP required (212) 637-2019
6:00PM:
African Yoruba word meaning, “love is enough for joy”) youth will provide a
spirited performance incorporating African dance, drum and song.
6:30PM: Universal Creative Arts Ensemble-Universal African Dance and Drum
Ensemble — traditional African songs, instruments, dance and stilt walker
7:15PM: Performance by the African Caribbean group Something Positive, Inc.
(30 minute performance)
*Memorial and
Saturday, October 8, 2011
10:00AM: Libation ceremony with Gregory Carr featuring a drum circle
11:00AM: Family Memory Box Workshop. RSVP required (212) 637-2019
NOON: 60 Seconds of Silence
1:00PM: Poetry Slam, “A Shout Out to the Ancestors”
2:00PM: Red Storm Drum and Dance Troupe — This program offers insight into
Native American history, art and music. It also showcases the music and
dance traditions of
6:30PM: Candle lit “A Broader View” walking tour will leave from Federal
Hall National Memorial and conclude at African Burial Ground National
Monument’s outdoor memorial. RSVP required (212) 637-2019
6:30PM: Candle lit “Abolitionist” walking tour will leave from African
required (212) 637-2019
All events are free. Schedule is subject to change.