Virginia Beach, Va. — Africana (ã-fr-ï-kä’na) a three-day festival celebrating family, culture, and entertainment of the African Diaspora makes its debut Friday August 23 through Sunday August 25 incorporating the world class R& B entertainment of FunkFest with seminars, exhibits, cultural performances and special events. The event is produced by NNOVACOMM, a Virginia Beach based minority-owned marketing firm in partnership with Beachevents, The City of Virginia Beach’s entertainment operation at the Beachfront Africana Virginia Beach 2013 featuring Funkfest is designed to provide a family oriented, culturally rich event that will provide information, insight, opportunity, entertainment and fun celebrating the full range of the African American experience.
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Elegba Folkore Society
Africana Virginia Beach opens Friday August 23 with the Mid-Atlantic Black Business Showcase at the Sheraton Oceanfront Hotel featuring a free franchising seminar conducted by the International Franchising Association MinorityFran and VetFran coordinator Ms. Miriam Brewer. Also, opening Friday is the Cox Cultural Pavilion at 24th Street on the Boardwalk featuring artists, specialty vendors, cultural exhibits and performances by The Elegba Society’s African dancers and Teens with a Purpose.
Friday evening at 6 p.m., the funk superstar group, Cameo, hits the stage for a free concert on the beach at 22nd Street and from 10pm -1 a.m., African Nights will offer an Africana after-party at the Sheraton and urban entertainment at various venues on the beachfront.
Saturday, August 24 the Health, Wealth and Wellness day at the Sheraton takes place featuring a health and wellness roundtable; a natural hair show; cultural presentations; vendors; personal wealth seminars; and a discussion with Maggie Anderson, the author of “Our Black Year,” that recounts her experience buying everything for her family from black businesses. To benefit the Sickle Cell Association, the Sickle Cell Wobble Challenge sponsored by Denny’s will be held at the Cox Cultural Pavilion and on the beach in front of the FunkFest Stage.
The FunkFest Beach Party continues with the legendary Midnight Star hitting the stage for a free concert on the beach at 6 p.m. and from 10 p.m. -1 a.m., African Nights will again offer an Africana after-party at the Sheraton and urban entertainment at various venues on the beachfront.
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Midnight Star
Soul Sunday WHOV-88.1 FM FAMILY DAY closes out the Africana experience at the Cox Cultural Pavilion with performances by The Elegba Folklore Society’s African dancers, local gospel and jazz groups performing topped off by national jazz artist Marcus Johnson. All performances and seminars are free. Some of the special events have admission fees.
Hotel discounts, vendor and exhibitor space, luncheon tickets and patrons packages are still available. For program information, costs, event and vendor information visit www.africanavirginiabeach.com or call 757-593-8562.