EVENTS & CLASSES
Featured Events
Journey Through Africa
Celebrate the diversity and richness of African culture, history and people during a special series
of programs taking place through August at various IMCPL locations.
“Journey Through Africa” will feature craft programs, storytelling, and music and dance performances
for adults, teens and school-age children. The programs include:
African Drumming
Griot Drum Ensemble will present a wonderfully exciting blend of African Diaspora music and storytelling.
Attendees will become an active participant in this high-energy performance.
Free and open to the public.
African Storytelling
Join renowned storyteller Deborah Asante as she presents “Once Upon a Time in Africa,” a program of African folktales. Separate programs will be presented that feature the folktales of the North, South, East, West and Continental Africa.
Free and open to the public.
Arts, Crafts and Culture of Africa
Kimberly Ba and representatives of Dianbaar Art will present the following programs about various
African art and craft forms to help people learn about the diversity of the African culture and people
through an appreciation of their art, culture and crafts . . .
Reverse Glass Painting
Participants will create their own reverse glass masterpiece from start to finish using their own photo. A popular art form in Senegal, the image is drawn in reverse on glass and painted so the entire image is seen on the front.
Registration is required. Limit 15 per workshop.
Paper Jewelry
Women in Kenya and Uganda have made their livelihoods by fashioning glossy magazines,
catalogs and brochures into fashionable eco-friendly jewelry.
Participants will make their own recycled paper necklace, earrings or bracelets.
Registration is required. Limit 15 per workshop.
African Film Festival
From Ousmane Sembene, "Faat Kine"
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library will present a festival of films documenting modern life in Africa as part of the community’s 10th annual African Festival on Saturday, August 15 in the Clowes Auditorium at Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair Street.
The African Festival, presented by the African Community International Inc. in partnership with the City of Indianapolis, will be held throughout August and feature a variety of programs at various locations. Many of the special events will take place adjacent to Central Library on Saturday, August 15 at the American Legion Mall, including the African Festival and Concert, the Fashion of Africa show, the Children’s Pavilion, and health and job fairs.
The Library’s “African Film Festival” will feature the following films:
Faat Kine
Central Library’s Clowes Auditorium at 11 a.m.
Directed by the acclaimed father of African cinema Ousmane Sembene, Faat Kine explores one woman’s resistance to the patriarchy that is inherent in the social, family, and economic contexts of her life. Faat Kine presents a new perspective of womanhood in 21st Century Africa. Presented in both French and Wolof with English subtitles. (running time: 2 hours and 1 minute)
Afro@Digital
Central Library’s Clowes Auditorium at 1:15 p.m.
Afro@Digital by Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda questions and explores the multiple facets of technology in modern Africa. It presents a new perspective on how technology has influenced, is influencing, and will influence an “Africa on the move.” Presented in English, French, Jula and Yoruba with English subtitles. (running time: 52 minutes)
Ezra
Central Library’s Clowes Auditorium at 2:30 p.m.
Ezra by Newton Aduaka explores the complexities of civil war from the perspective of a former child soldier. It demonstrates the effects of civil conflict on one child as he loses the innocence of childhood and plunges into a cycle of violence that destroys himself, his loved ones, and his fellow citizens. Presented in English. (running time: 1 hour 50 minutes)