African American Dance Ensemble
Come and be part of the 39th Kwanzaa Festival, organized by the African American Dance Ensemble, as we honor the principles of family, community, and culture. Mark your calendars for January 1st at the Historic Durham Armory (212 Foster Street, Durham, NC), where doors will open at noon and performances will begin at 2:00 pm. We kicked off our very first Kwanzaa celebration in Durham back in 1986, and we proudly held our inaugural event in Raleigh in 2023.
Kwanzaa Fest is free and open to everyone and will feature health screenings, a Children's Village, delicious foods, dancing, and a market for vendors. Let's come together and celebrate peace, love, and respect for everybody while preserving the traditions of African and African American dance and music.
In honor of Baba Chuck Davis, your donated canned goods and personal care items will be distributed to Ummi’s Ummah. If you require accommodation during Kwanzaa Fest, we invite you to stay with us at the 21c Museum Hotel Durham.
We’re excited to announce an amazing lineup of performers for Kwanzaa Fest! Joining us will be the Harambee Collective Mime Team, the African Dance Class from Lyon Park, Jasme Kelly, Purusha Jones-Shearin and the Ms. Full Figured NC Pageant. We’ll also have the SUAH School of Music & Dance and the African American Dance Ensemble. This year, DJ Scoot will be spinning the tunes, and Candace Thomas will be there to add some fun with her face painting!
The African American Dance Ensemble proudly held its first Kwanzaa Fest in Durham back in 1986. Kwanzaa Fest is held every year on January 1st celebrating the principle of Imani or Faith. Mostly hosted at the Durham Armory, we have also hosted at Hayti Heritage Center and Walltown park Recreation Center. In 2023, we were thrilled to celebrate our inaugural Kwanzaa event in Raleigh, highlighting the principle of Ujima,
which focuses on collective work and responsibility. This event took place
at C3 at the Venue.
Baba Chuck Davis emceed Kwanzaa Fest each year until 2016, Pierce
Freelon emceed in 2017, and founder members Venita Allen has hosted
since 2018. In 2021, Venita and other AADE members hosted Kwanzaa Fest
online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kwanzaa Fest is a wonderful opportunity to embrace our communities and the righteousness of our endeavors. It acts as a lively marketplace and a dynamic performing arts concert, showcasing dance, music, poetry, and much more. Artists and performance groups from the region come together with the African American Dance Ensemble for a heartfelt celebration of love, sharing, and inspiring entrepreneurship as we step into the new year.