On Saturday, February 27, the Aquarium of the Pacific will host its nineteenth annual African-American Festival as a virtual online festival, streaming live from the Aquarium of the Pacific. Anyone can tune in for free from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This virtual event will feature African and African-American music, dance, storytelling, and historical displays. Festival performances will include Mardi Gras second line dancing, hip hop and break dancing, tap and modern dance, soul-pop fusion music, and West African drumming, dancing, and storytelling. At 3:15 p.m., the Aquarium will present the Heritage Award to Felton Williams, Ph.D. for his outstanding service to the African-American community. Immediately following the Heritage Award, the Aquarium will officially announce and celebrate its 2021 African-American Scholar recipients.
How to view Virtual African-American Festival
On Saturday, February 27, visit this webpage and enjoy the live streaming event. Tune in early to each presentation and see every minute of this very special event!
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Festival Schedule
| PDT | Program |
|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. | Storytelling in the West African Tradition – Baba the Storyteller |
| 10:45 a.m. | Tap and Modern Dancing – PISE (Positive Images of Self Expression) |
| 11:30 a.m. | Forgotten Images – A Celebration of African and African-American History |
| 12:15 p.m. | West African Drumming and Dancing – Dembrebrah |
| 1:00 p.m. | Animal Presentation by the Aquarium of the Pacific AND The LA LA Mardi Gras Second Liners |
| 1:45 p.m. | Breakdancing and Popping – Homeland Crew |
| 2:30 p.m. | Soul-Pop Fusion Music performance by Per Se |
| 3:15 p.m. | Heritage Award Presentation honoring Felton Williams, Ph.D. |
| 3:25 p.m. | African-American Scholar Winners Announcement |
Festival Emcee: Baba the Storyteller.
Special thanks to our community advisor Naomi Rainey, president Long Beach Branch NAACP.
Sorry this event has passed.
