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African American Festival logo with Marci Gras dancer holding umbrella

African American Festival

The Aquarium of the Pacific will host its twenty-first annual African-American Festival, which features music, dance, storytelling, and historical displays.

African American Festival

The Aquarium of the Pacific will host its twenty-first annual African-American Festival, which features music, dance, storytelling, and historical displays.

African American Festival logo with Marci Gras dancer holding umbrella

Join the Aquarium of the Pacific as we host our twenty-first annual African-American Festival, celebrating the richness and diversity of African-American and African cultures. The weekend will feature live entertainment, arts, and more. Featured are hip hop and break-dancers, Mardi Gras second line dancers, live jazz, interactive drum circles, West African dance, cultural storytelling, and a host of other exciting activities. Our 2023 African American Scholars will be announced Saturday, February 25 at 1:00 PM, and the heritage Award will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at 1:00 PM. Advance reservations are required.

Livestream for the African American Scholar announcement can be found here.

All programs subject to change and weather dependent.
Saturday Festival Schedule
10:00 AM Music and Spoken Word - Abdul-Salaam Muhammad / Honda Blue Cavern
10:30 AM Penguins Film / Great Hall
10:45 AM Jazz Music Ensemble – Music in the Moment / Honda Blue Cavern
11:30 AM West African Drumming and Dancing - Dembrebrah / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
12:15 PM Mardi Gras 2nd Liners / Honda Blue Cavern
1:00 PM African American Scholar Ceremony / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
1:30 PM Babies! Film / Great Hall
1:45 PM Traditional Storytelling – Baba the Storyteller / Honda Blue Cavern
2:30 PM Hip Hop Dance by LQ Performing Arts Center / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
3:00 PM Babies! Film / Great Hall
3:15 PM Interactive Spoken Word and Yoga – Deep Red / Honda Blue Cavern
4:00 PM Breakdancing by the Homeland Crew / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
4:45 PM Babies! Film / Great Hall
5:45 PM Penguins Film / Great Hall
All programs subject to change and weather dependent.
Sunday Festival Schedule
10:00 AM Music and Spoken Word - Abdul-Salaam Muhammad
10:30 AM Penguins Film / Great Hall
10:45 AM Jazz Fusion – Per Se / Honda Blue Cavern
11:30 AM African Drumming and Dancing - Dembrebrah / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
12:15 PM Mardi Gras 2nd Liners / Honda Blue Cavern
1:00 PM Heritage Award Ceremony Honoring Dr. John Hamilton / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
1:30 PM Babies! Film / Great Hall
1:45 PM Traditional Storytelling – Baba the Storyteller / Honda Blue Cavern
2:30 PM Interactive Drumming – African Drum & Dance Ensemble / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
3:00 PM Babies! Film / Great Hall
3:15 PM Interactive Spoken Word and Yoga – Deep Red / Honda Blue Cavern
4:00 PM Hip Hop Dance by LQ Performing Arts Center / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
4:45 PM Babies! Film / Great Hall
5:45 PM Penguins Film / Great Hall

Ocean Theater, Honda Pacific Visions Theater and Ocean Science Center — See monitors for shows and times.

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DATE
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COST
Festival is free with general admission.

EVENT DETAILS

Date
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Cost
Festival is free with general admission.
R.S.V.P.
(562) 590-3100, ext. 0

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