The 3rd Annual FREE Leimert Park Village African Art & Music Festival Partners with over 30 Local Groups and Organizations To Offer Free Health, Education, Arts and Literacy Workshops and Resources

The 3rd Annual Leimert Park Village African Art and Music Festival scheduled for Labor Day Weekend, September 3, 4, 5, 2011 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm,  in Historic Leimert Park Village, also known as "The Harlem of the West Coast", has significantly expanded it's programs for 2011.  The free, family-friendly festival is known for bringing world-class entertainers such as jazz icon Randy Crawford and internationally known fine artists such as Charles Bibbs to the culturally-rich neighborhood known for it's Sunday drum circle and monthly art walk. 

Azar Lawrence, Barbara Morrison, Najite and the Oklun Prophecy, Balle Fette bu Senegal, Wadada, Wali Ali, Kamsi Washington, Medusa, JJ Kambasi and S.H.I.N.E. Mawasi and others will perform a wide genre of music from afro-beat, blues, jazz, reggae, and spoken-word, to traditional African drumming and dance.  This year, in addition to the entertainment and fine arts market, the festival will feature three new signature programs: Leimert Park After Dark, "Sankofa Sunday" and Health, Education, Arts and Literacy (H.E.A.L.) Programs tailored specifically for children, teens and adults. 

On Sunday, September 4th, the Festival will have it's first "Sankofa Sunday" celebration where they will look back to remember those in the local and global community that have transitioned to the next phase of life since their last Festival in September 2010.  "Leimert Park After Dark" will provide entertainment options in venues in and around Leimert Park Village after 6pm on Saturday and Sunday September 3rd & 4th. 

The most extensive of the new offerings are the H.E.A.L. programs and activities which include more than 40 free activities, workshops and resources specifically designed for children, teens and adults that will be presented by local community groups and organizations. 

Free dental screenings for children, free table massages for adults, a t-shirt design workshop for teens are a few of the activities which will certainly be popular along with the safety festival in the Children's Village that will offer free photographs and fingerprinting kits, a puppet show and much more.

A full list of activities can be found online at: http://leimertparkfestival.blogspot.com.

The festival will be held in Historic Leimert Park Village and is scheduled for Labor Day Weekend, September 3, 4, 5, 2011 from 10:00am - 6:00pm daily on the Vision Theater Special Events Lot at 4300 Degnan Blvd., LA 90008.

Volunteers and vendors are need.

For additional information contact: Sika or Amaechina Doreen at (310) 431-7964.