African American Arts and Music Festival celebrates culture as ArtPrize begins

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – As music and life painted Rosa Parks Circle in the September sun, hundreds gathered for the African American Arts and Music Festival the first weekend of ArtPrize on Saturday, Sept. 14.

The festival is a celebration of African American culture through music, dance, food, vendors and more.

“The festival is an opportunity for Black expression here in our city,” said Lisa Knight, festival chair. “It’s an opportunity for people to feel and see the culture and to be immersed in what we are doing.”

Thousands of people are expected to come to Grand Rapids throughout the 16-days of ArtPrize, giving them a chance to see the city as opposed to exploring one specific space.

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“This is an awesome opportunity for people to come together and be in community together,” Knight said. “To share the joy and the harmony of seeing one another, talking with one another, to meet new people and to create new relationships.”

Among some of the resources at the African American Arts and Music Festival was the nonprofit A Glimpse of Africa.

Located in Grand Rapids, A Glimpse of Africa aims to promote African culture and to help African immigrants and refugees by connecting them to resources.

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“Festivals are important because they are a great way for people to come out and see what’s happening in the city,” said Afua Brantuo, A Glimpse of Africa coordinator.

“ArtPrize is a really big event that happens,” Brantuo said. “Having the festival at the same time gives us a chance to promote things that are going on in Grand Rapids, especially since this festival is promoting African American culture. Its really great to connect people to what we do.”

The international art competition kicked off Friday, Sept. 13 and concludes Sept. 28.

More about ArtPrize and events happening around the 16-day event can be found here.