Annual Champaign-Urbana Black and African Arts Fest this weekend

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The fifth annual Champaign-Urbana Black and African Arts Fest will take place this weekend.

More than forty food vendors from different cultures, artwork and live music can be enjoyed during the events. They’re expecting more than 1,500 people in total.

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“It’s very important for us to celebrate our culture and the Black Diaspora, whether you’re from the Caribbean, whether you’re from Africa, whether you’re identify as African American, is just a melting pot of us, and we deserve to have a space to celebrate,” Black and African Arts Lead Planner Cindy Ogwal said.

The kickoff event of the two-day festival will be at the Rose Bowl Tavern Friday night from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission to the Afro-Caribbean Soul Night is free, and attendees can expect live entertainment.

Dr. Reginald Lewis is a jazz musician and the Director of Jazz at Illinois Wesleyan University. He will perform on the Rose Bowl patio, where food and drinks will also be available. The night will close with a performance by Dexter O’Neal and the Funk Yard.

To accommodate the festivities, a portion of West Water Street in downtown Urbana will close from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday. City officials said Urbana City Lot 2 will remain accessible via North Broadway Avenue.

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On Saturday, events and activities for people of all ages will be held at the I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In the Humanities Room, attendees can try Fox Element Southern cuisine, Jollof Junction and Taste of Ghana all day. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., community beading will be held in the Loyalty Room and in the Innovation Room, attendees can listen in on a panel discussion centered on Black Literacy.

Events and activities for young children will be in the Alma Room from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

For a full list of events at the CU Black and African Arts Fest, check out their Facebook page.

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