This annual nonprofit festival celebrates 21 years as the region’s premiere celebration of African-American heritage and culture. Here are the basics for this year’s fest, expected to draw up to 100,000 people:
What: 2007 Denver Black Arts Festival: “A Legacy Unfolds”
Where: City Park West, various locations
When: Today, noon-7 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Activities: Watu Sokoni (People’s Marketplace), Urban Spectrum Visual Arts Pavilion, Children’s Youth Pavilion, community mural painting, sculpture garden
Exhibits: Blair Caldwell African American Research Library, Stiles African American Heritage Center, Black American West Museum
Boogaloo Celebration Parade: “Carnivale du Promenade,” parade starts at East 22nd Avenue and Colorado Boulevard and winds through City Park to East 17th Avenue and Esplanade, 5 p.m. Saturday
Regional Drum & Drill Competition: Featuring 500 youths on 12 teams from the area and Midwest region; bleacher seating, $2-$5, 4:30 p.m. Friday
KUVO Kuumba Stage: Roots, reggae, jazz, blues and soul from Lion Souljahs, Freddy & the Ivory Sensations, Linda Theus Lee, Lattitude, Old School, Saturday-Sunday
F. Cosmo Harris Gospel Stage: Soloists Yalonda Marant, Nathaniel Black, Minister Michael Williams and Eternal Life (ensemble), area church choirs, Saturday-Sunday
Joda Village: Drums of Thunder, Heritage Drum & Dance Presents “African Ballet Suite,” Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Mr. Joda & Friends Ballet Concert, Saturday-Sunday
City Park Jazz: Concert featuring Sheryl Renee and her Revue, 6 p.m. Sunday
Info: 720-309-2302 or
– John Wenzel
