Sat, Sep 19, 1:00 PM
Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation hosts its ninth annual Celebrate Africa Festival, featuring several DMV-area performers. Anna Mwalagho, also known as “Mama Africa Anna,” performs a blend of comedy, spoken word, music, acting and African dance. Multi-instrumentalist Amadou Kouyate is a 150th generation Manding griot (a West African oral historian and storyteller), as well as a master instrumentalist on the kora, and djembe and koutiro drums. The kora carries a rich and resonant tone, which Kouyate plays deliberately and delicately, delivering intricate rhythmic melodies complemented by smooth, spoken word-style vocals. His repertoire is diverse, ranging from traditional 13th-century African folk, to original compositions that blend elements of blues and jazz. Osagyefo Dance Company promotes African traditional dance and music through performances, workshops and teaching residencies. Mlanjeni Magical Theater specializes in Muungamano, an East African theatrical tradition that blends puppetry, music, dance, magical illusion and interactive storytelling. Vocalist and composer Armand Ntep specializes in Afro-fusion, delivering a mixture of salsa, jazz, reggae and traditional lihongo rhythms from his native Cameroon. He performs alongside Memphis Gold , a D.C.-based guitarist whose sound calls back to the steady, rich musicianship of classic bluesmen like Charlie Patton and B.B King.