Festival Sundiata at Seattle Center shares traditions of Africa and African Americans

Music, visual arts, dance and events for all ages illuminate African-American heritage and culture at Festival Sundiata on Saturday and Sunday at Seattle Center. Named for the 13th-century King Sundiata of West Africa’s Mali Empire who helped preserve his people’s culture and history by rescuing their griot (historian and storyteller), the annual festival shares traditions of Africa and African Americans for everyone.

Performances all day Saturday and Sunday feature headliners funk and rhythm-and-blues band Con Funk Shun, reggae artist Clinton Fearon and Earth, Wind and Fire tribute band Kalimba. Other performers include Northwest Tap Connection, Reggie Garrett and the Snake Oil Peddlers, Dora Oliveira & Dance Brazil, Total Experience Gospel Choir, Lance Randall & The Nu Jazz Playaz, Afua Kouyate and Funk E. Fusion.

Artist Marita Dingus teaches African doll making using recycled materials from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, and all can join in a Zumba class at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The African American Writer’s Alliance hosts a community conversation with the theme “The Poet, the Musician, and the Artist Poets” at noon Saturday, and Gary Giles discusses “Pass the Torch: The Voices of Our Ancestors” at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

“Smokin’ Black Chefs” host cooking demonstrations Saturday and Sunday on the Armory balcony, and six food trucks offer choices to satisfy everyone’s appetite. African clothing and woodcarvings, jewelry and natural beauty products are among an array of marketplace items from 30 vendors.

Festival Sundiata’s visual-arts exhibition, which is open all weekend, kicks off Friday with an artists reception with music, spoken-word performances and a roundtable discussion on local art.

All events are free, at Seattle Center Armory, Mural Amphitheater and Fisher Roof at Seattle Center.

Festival Sundiata

Time: noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 11-12. Artists reception, 6 p.m. Friday, June 10

Cost: free

Location: Seattle Center, Seattle

More info: 206-684-7200, seattlecenter.com or festivalsundiata.org/index.html

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