VOICE & VIEWPOINT STAFF
The 44th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration at World Beat was a heart warming and spiritual event with a Center full of beautiful people living out the spirit of Unity (Umoja). This was Day 1 of the 7 day celebration. The event opened with an exciting Drum Call followed by the traditional Libation. The African Drum and Dance presentation had everyone on their feet as our very essence reached back to the Motherland.
Alyce Smith Cooper, San Diego’s own Master Storyteller, presented a tribute to the late Nikki Giovanni with the reading of several of her poems. And Mariea Antoinette, the renowned Harpist, gave a soul stirring presentation on Harp and video called “Africa”, which was an experience to say the least. Children were brought out for the Candle Lighting Ceremony followed by the traditional “Harambe” (all together shout). Then the celebration with Traditional Karamu African Food and Music began. The food, the music, the vendors with African jewelry and apparel as well as the art and setting of the entire place, added volumes to the event.
Executive Director, Founder, and host, Makeda Dread, was the spirit of the event and the facility. Forty four years ago, she took an abandoned Water Tower and transformed it into the Cultural Center it has become today. The entire event was free of charge unless one stopped at the coffee bar at the entrance. The event was multiracial in attendance which is consistent with the participation of the many programs and activities the center offers. This was the atmosphere and scene for all of the nightly celebrations.
