In this year of expected challenges anticipated from national election political rivalry between candidates hankering to seek the highest office in America; ongoing wars overseas, and unsuspecting events destined to steer normalcy, the last year ended on a high with the Apollo Theater’s 46th annual Kwanzaa: A Regeneration Celebration.
Families united at the landmark Harlem Village location to reaffirm an affirmation claimed as the Nguzo Saba with seven principles that represent tenets for an equal amount of days of the week created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 to celebrate African culture and tradition.
Umoja—Unity; Ujima—Collective work and responsibility; Kujichagulia – Self-determination; Ujamaa – Cooperative economics; Kuumba – creativity; Nia – Purpose; Imani – Faith.
“This is ours, established right here in the US. It has nothing to do with any other day,” host Semsut Olabaidele Husbands Hart said in greeting an SRO crowd to the festivities.
As a matter of fact, during intervals in the program the griot/educator/ explained that observers of Kwanzaa are not restricted to shopping for tech items, fancy wrapped gift items, religious rituals, commercial practices or any of the usual attachments assigned to holidays.
According to the force of nature, the weeklong holiday tradition is meant to honor generations of contributors to the distinctive and unique culture that is solely African-American.
Offering positive guidelines to follow she conveyed the uniqueness of the celebration which is based on African harvest festival traditions from various regions of West and Southeast Africa.
Its principles are neither religious, political or even ordained to replace traditional holidays such as Christmas, Hannukah, Diwali or any others hailed by dominant populations residing in America.
Kwanza is observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1,
An Apollo tradition for more than 15 years, the annual Kwanzaa celebration attempts to “bring families together and to create and build communities in an uplifting evening of celebration and reflection.”
At a juncture during the matinee, Apollo legend Billy Mitchell walked onstage to deliver good news about an expansion project which includes a four-stage venue extending to the Victoria Theater.
Mitchell has been offering good news to patrons of Amateur Night proceedings and other specialty shows usually include his palming of the Tree of Hope, a tree stump performers rub for luck before facing sometimes critical audiences.
But back to the host, that she is a force of nature is no exaggeration.
In fact, the choreographer/dancer is Chief Executive Officer of Forces of Nature, a collective of extremely talented dance, theater and production assembly she co-founded in 1981 with Abdel R. Salaam, a Harlem-born native.
Together they fortified the force with Dyanne Harvey-Salaam, assistant to the artistic director, Eugene Niles, Jude Evans, Charmian Wells, Melissa Padham-Maass, Fritlyn Hector and Temisha Johnson.
The sold out crowds were able to glimpse into the fortress to witness expressions titled “Elemental Exuberance…A Memorial tribute,” “Fallen Idols?… Wallstreet 3.0”and the unapologetically, un-objective eye-candy titled “A Question of Modesty.”
They were all spectacular.
However, yielding to fellow artistry from the Harlem Children’s Zone Youth Academy of Dancers’ “Rated R “Revolution,” there was more than a matinee’s worth to inspire, enhance and solidify a global village.
In addition, Mumu Guest gifted gems of poetic enchantments. She’s a Grammy nominated Indigenous Music award winning talent.
Outside the theater, vendors peddled accoutrement for a decorated New Year’s Eve. Lit head and eye ornaments, noisemakers, horn blowers dominated the 2024 onslaught.
And while capitalism seemed pervasive on the sidewalks with commercial intrusions, there were plenty of keepsakes unique to the neighborhood – incense, body oils, shea butter and a pause on politics.
Happy happy 2024.
Catch You On the Inside!
