Friday, December 21st
Holiday Artists Showcase Saint Luke’s Church, 520 Clinton Ave. (bet. Fulton & Atlantic), 7PM, FREE. The Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Cultural Arts Program gifts the community with a pair of free performances featuring the talented young people in its dance program.
Winter Wonderland Family Holiday Celebration Ingersoll Community Center, 177 Myrtle Ave., 5:30PM (doors @ 5), FREE. Admission and toy tickets are first-come, first-served at this event, with a capacity of 150 people. It features a toy giveaway, raffle to win household appliances, food, free new clothing, tree-lighting, games, arts & crafts, music and performances. Meet members of the Vulcan Society, the Black firefighters organization sponsoring the event along with Assemblyman Walter T. Mosley and City Council Majority Leader Laurie A. Cumbo. Giveaways are while supplies last. For info call 718-522-5051.
The Gift: A Christmas Musical The Church of the Open Door, 201 Gold St., 7PM, FREE. Join The Church of the Open Door’s Music Ministry as it presents The Voices of Praise, The John R. Thomas Choir, The Walter Johnson Choir, The Men’s Chorus and the PPG & Friends Community Choir.
Saturday, December 22nd
Holiday Artists Showcase JHS 113, 300 Adelphi Ave. (bet. DeKalb & Lafayette), 1PM, FREE. The Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Cultural Arts Program gifts the community with a pair of free performances featuring the talented young people in its dance program.
Monday, December 24th
A Christmas Eve Worship Experience Emmanuel Baptist Church, 279 Lafayette Ave., 7PM, FREE. Join the congregation for a joyful Christmas worship experience. All are welcome.
Tuesday, December 25th
Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa Eve!
Wednesday, December 26th
1st Day of Kwanzaa Program, Sistas’ Place, 456 Nostrand
Ave. @ Jefferson, 7PM, Donation. Join in “Lighting the First Candle of Unity in Struggle for Human Rights.” All gathered will observe Umoja/Unity: “To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.” Sponsored by the December 12th Movement. For info call 718-398-1766.
KwanzaaFete, Amarachi Restaurant, 189 Bridge St.,11AM-11PM, FREE. The public is cordially invited to celebrate the beauty and gift of Kwanzaa. Focusing on Umoja (Unity) and Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Amarachi will offer a complimentary meal showcasing delicious dishes from the African Diaspora and an opportunity to shop with local vendors. And in the spirit of celebration, some of NYC’s very best DJ’s will keep the party going all day and night spinning the best in Afrobeat, Soca, Reggae, House, Hip-Hop and R&B.
Thursday, December 27th
The Kwanzaa Collective presents A Unity Celebration, JHS 57, 125 Stuyvesant Ave., 1-8PM, FREE. The Kwanzaa Collective is pleased to announce its annual celebration taking place on Kujichagulia day this year. Featuring several performances, including one by the legendary Asase Yaa African-American Dance Theater. Bring the family and enjoy a Karamu (feast), activities and gifts for the children, a market with vendors offering beautiful cultural merchandise, a raffle drawing and more.
Saturday, December 29th
52nd Annual Kwanzaa Celebration with Dr. Maulana Karenga, JHS 258, 141 Macon St., 4-8PM (Doors at 3), $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and children under 12. The New York Chapter of the National Association of Kawaida Organizations, in conjunction with the International African Arts Festival, will host a 52nd Anniversary Kwanzaa Celebration. The creator of Kwanzaa, Dr. Maulana Karenga, will be present to deliver his yearly founder’s message entitled, “Reimagining and Remaking the World: A Kwanzaa Commitment to an Inclusive Good.” Cultural presentations by the Donald Smith Quartet and Asase Yaa African-American Dance Theater and catering by Neighborhood Bakery.
OYO ORO Afro-Cuban Experimental Dance Ensemble, American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West, Manhattan, 12PM & 3PM. Free w/museum admission. Get there early! Suggested donation: Adults $23, children 2-12 $13, seniors and students $18. OYO Oro features over a dozen musicians, singers and dancers celebrating the African Diaspora in Cuba. Also discover Kwanzaa’s core values with Yaffa Cultural Arts Artistic Director Dr. Linda H. Humes and master drummers Sanga of the Valley and LeeAnet Noble. Enjoy Kwanzaa Con, when seven artists from the Black Comics Collective live-draw illustrations and strips representing the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles). Kwanzaa 2018 is co-presented by Community Works and New Heritage Theatre Group. The Kwanzaa marketplace is organized by the Harlem Arts Alliance.
Sunday, December 30th
The African Village Annual Kwanzaa Celebration, Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton St., 3-8PM, $20 or a donated dish. Drumming, dancing, food, fun and family are all on the program for The African Village’s Annual Kwanzaa Celebration. RSVP at 917-681-0315 or 347-915-3636.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Monday, December 31st
NYE Jazz Vespers presents 3 Women & Their Music, Emmanuel Baptist Church, 279 Lafayette Ave., 6-7:30PM, FREE. Stop by before your New Year’s Eve celebrating to enjoy some live music by these talented women. Madame Pat Tandy sings the blues, Patsy Grant sings jazz and Stephanie Bates sings R&B.