Local Libraries and African American Cultural Collaborative’ s 2017 Celebration of African American History Month

Tuesday, 27 December 2016 12:25
Candice Frederick

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 27, 2016

Contact: Helen Walker
Cell: 609-638-2741
Email: Chuckeebree1973@gmail.com

 

(TRENTON, NJ) – An awesome collaboration of learning, culture, arts and exploration is underway to commemorate and celebrate African American History Month throughout Mercer County.

The African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County (TAACC) is pleased to promote the ever evolving vision of the festival that has led to the creation of an even larger, more inclusive entity to serve the residents of Mercer County and beyond.  In the spring of 2016, the Trenton African American Cultural Festival organization, along with community based support and sponsorship, evolved into the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County. As a result, multiple events occurred during the spring and summer in Downtown Trenton, Princeton and the surrounding areas.

In efforts to continue expansion through partnerships, a series of events have been organized in conjunction with the Mercer County Library System and Trenton Free Public Library to bring awareness and collective celebration opportunities for all ages during the month of February in honor of African American History Month.

The following comprise the schedule for the month of February. All events are FREE to the public. Registration is required for some due to limited seating.

Saturday, February 11, 2017  Hidden Figures Featured Book Discussion and Actor Scenes

Join the Trenton Free Public Library and The African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County in recognition of African American History Month! Our community is reading “Hidden Figures” by Margot Lee Shetterly, soon to be a movie! Our U.S. space program may not have gotten off the ground were it not for a group of black women. Recruited to work for NASA during World War II, these remarkable black female mathematicians quietly changed the game for space travel. Borrow the book in our library…or watch the actors at the library. Join our discussion from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017 – African American History Youth Event

Join the Trenton Free Public Library and the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County in celebration of African American History Month for our Youth Event! African Drums, Poets and Dance Performances followed by Q & A! Join us from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for a youth inspired experience of fun and culture. For more information, please contact Sarah Powell, Youth Services Librarian at 609-392-7188.

Sunday, February 19, 2017 – Don Evans Players Performing “LIFTing Every Voice” Skit

Join the Mercer County Library System, Hickory Corner Branch and the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County for afternoon of inspiration. The Don Evans Players, a volunteer community theater group named after the late Trenton off-Broadway playwright, will be doing a short skit entitled “LIFTing Every Voice.” The skit is an interpretation of the Black national anthem through song, poetry and improvisation directed and created by Todd Evans. Please join us at 2:00 p.m. for this presentation. Register by calling 609-448-1330.

Sunday, February 26, 2017 – Jazz Sunday featuring the Bob Smith Trio

Join the Mercer County Library System, Ewing Branch and the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County in celebration of African American History Month! Sunday Jazz celebration featuring the Bob Smith Trio! Jazz and Blues starting at 2:00 p.m. Seating is limited. Registration is required. Call 609-882-3148.

Philadelphia artists Kindred the Family Soul to headline the 2014 Trenton African American Cultural Festival

Wednesday, 09 July 2014 18:28
Candice Frederick

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Candice Frederick
cell: 609-532-6552
Candicefre@gmail.com

Festival celebrates African American culture and will feature music and dance performances, activities for children, vendors, health screenings and more.

(TRENTON, NJ)—The 2014 Trenton African American Cultural Festival (TAACF) presented by Children’s Futures, Inc. will boast a full schedule of cultural entertainment; including music by neo soul duo Kindred the Family Soul. The festival will be held from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at Cadwalader Park.

Kindred the Family Soul, the neo soul duo consisting of married couple Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon will perform their hit songs to include “Stars” and “Far Away”. The duo has been nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Album, Group Band or Duo for Surrender to Love in 2004 and a BET Award for the BET J Cool Like That Award in 2006. The duo will also perform new music from their newly released album A COUPLE FRIENDS,

The festival will also feature a full line up of entertainment to include Trenton’s own The Amazin Grace & GLB. The Amazin Grace & GLB is a solid, precise sounding group playing their mix of soul, R&B, pop, jazz, rock, and funk favorites. Along with the main festival stage, this year’s event will have two additional stages of entertainment. Local talent will be showcased on the Thomas Edison Stage College sponsored “Artist Row” stage along with a Caribbean Stage. All stages will feature performances covering the musical categories of gospel, R&B, Caribbean, African, and more.

“TAACF is an opportunity for us to highlight the diverse talent of the African and African American Diasporas both locally and nationally,” says Candice Frederick, Marketing Chairperson. “We see generations of families come out together to enjoy the day’s festivities. There is something for everybody to enjoy both musically and culturally, along with the number of activities that are offered,” says Frederick. “We have a rich culture and this is a day to celebrate it.”

The festival will also feature performances by Egun Omode (Children of the Ancestors), Trenton’s own West African dance/drum troupe. The Yoruba Folklore Performing Arts Company will kick things off with a traditional African dance presentation. There will also be African drumming; Capoeira demonstrations, Brooklyn Jumbies stilt walkers, and more. The festival will have a Children’s Village that will feature story telling, African drum lessons, arts and crafts, inflatable jumps, face painting. There will be a variety of vendors spread throughout the park selling their wares and food of all varieties.

The popular Healthy Living Pavilion will return to raise awareness of the health issues affecting the African American community. There will be free health screenings, health care & holistic wellness speakers, natural product vendors, as well as fitness & wellness activities. Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie will be open and offer a full program of events such as, “Record Your Living History,” book discussions, talks, and art presentations. For full schedule and information visit www.taacf.com
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The Trenton African American Cultural Festival is an annual celebration of the history, culture, heritage, and arts that represent the rich traditions and zestful spirit of the African and African American Diaspora. Following the legacy of the African American culture’s Juneteenth celebration, the goal of the festival is to inspire an appreciation for the diversity, influence and contributions of the African and African-American Diaspora. For more information about the festival, visit  www.taacf.com.

Children’s Futures is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve health and development outcomes for children and their families. To achieve our mission, we formally collaborate with schools, social service providers, health care agencies, faith institutions, civic associations, employers and others around school-readiness and success strategies that have the greatest positive impact on children’s immediate health needs, as well as long-term development.

The 2014 Youth Sports Expo Kicks Off Fourth Annual Trenton African American Cultural Festival in August

Wednesday, 09 July 2014 18:23
Candice Frederick

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Candice Frederick
cell: 609-532-6552
Candicefre@gmail.com

(TRENTON, NJ)—On Saturday. August 9th from 12pm-4pm, the fields of Cadwalader Park (Parkside Ave. & West State St.) will be filled with children and youth as The Trenton African American Cultural Festival (TAACF) formerly the Trenton African American Pride Festival will kick off its fourth year with a Youth Sports Expo. The Youth Sports Expo, will link numerous youth sports organizations throughout the city for a day of fun and exercise.

The event will feature basketball, football, soccer, tennis, golf and boxing exhibitions. New this year, gymnastics and karate will be added to the roster of activities. The main festival will be held the following weekend from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 16th at Cadwalader Park (Parkside Ave. & Bellevue Ave. entrance).

The Trenton African American Cultural Festival, which was first held in 2011 and has quickly become one of the most anticipated festivals in the state capital, celebrates the history, culture, heritage, arts, rich traditions and zestful spirit that encompass the African and African American Diaspora. The festival will feature music, performances, African cuisine, vendors, a Children’s Village, and a Healthy Living Pavilion.

The TAACF Youth Sports Expo has partnered with several city based youth sports organizations to bring a variety of sports to the event. Participating organizations include the West End and North End Little League, First Tee Golf, New Jersey Tennis League, Eric Judkins Boxing, Schaeffer Gym Gymnastics, Trenton Bridge Lacrosse, and a host of others.

“The expo will provide an opportunity for the kids to engage in the sporting activities they know and love, and also try the ones they haven’t before” says Candice Frederick, Marketing Chairperson. “Each year, this event expands as new organizations come on board to participate with us. We want to continue to expose our kids to a range of activities that will encourage them to step out of their comfort zones” says Frederick.
For more information visit www.taacf.com
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The African American Cultural Festival is an annual celebration of the history, culture, heritage, and arts that represent the rich traditions and zestful spirit of the African and African American Diaspora. Following the legacy of the African American culture’s Juneteenth celebration, the goal of the festival is to inspire an appreciation for the diversity, influence and contributions of the African and African-African Diaspora. For more information about the festival, visit www.taacf.com.

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