National Museum of African Art Launches Second Installment of Africa Underground—West Africa to the Caribbean

First Africa Underground Was Sell-Out Success
May 10, 2011
News Release

Africa Underground is back with an evening of West African and Caribbean delights at the National Museum of African Art, Friday, May 20, from 7 to 11 p.m. Coming on the heels of a successful first installment of African Underground in February, this edition will also see the museum’s doors held open after hours, giving revelers the chance to enjoy West African and Caribbean foods, refreshments and dance, and experience the museum’s exhibitions, ambiance and performances.

The first Africa Underground sold out in four days, and this installment will include several exciting new elements such as music by DJ Spyda, who will spin Caribbean and West African beats from the museum’s Haupt Garden and from a designated perch in the thick of Africa Underground. The evening will also feature a Farafina Kan, performing a traditional West Africa dance, Moko Jumbie Stilt Dancers, spoken word from Mistress of Ceremonies Love the poet, and new- and old-school reggae from Kurow and the All Stars. 

Highlights

  • Demonstration of African textile headwrapping by Deniece Moudou
  • West African and Caribbean storytelling by Claire Nelson
  • Guests will get the opportunity to participate in an art-making workshop where they will decorate cloth with custom-made West African wooden stamps featuring traditional Adinkra symbols to take away and frame for a personalized memento

Africa Underground is held four times a year in the winter, spring, summer and fall. Each event is themed and features works of art, cuisine from the African diaspora from area restaurants, specialty cocktails, creative art activities, live performances and music entertainment from emerging DJs or music groups.

About the National Museum of African Art

The National Museum of African Art is America’s only museum dedicated to the collection, conservation, study and exhibition of traditional and contemporary African art. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except Dec. 25. Admission is free. The museum is located at 950 Independence Avenue S.W., near the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange lines. For more information, call (202) 633-4600 or visit the National Museum of African Art’s website at africa.si.edu. For general Smithsonian information, call (202) 633-1000 or TTY (202) 633-5285.

For more information

For ticketing and additional information the public may visit www.africa.si.edu.

Sponsors

Support for “Africa Underground” is provided by Thompson, Cobb, Bazilio & Associates, PC.

 

Note to editors: To attend or to arrange an interview with a specific guest, contact Eddie Burke at (202) 633-4660 or BurkeE@si.edu.

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SI-205-2011

National Museum of African Art