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12:26 AM / Tuesday June 16, 2026

17 Dec 2011

The African American Museum in Philadelphia presents Family Kwanzaa celebration

December 17, 2011 Category: Entertainment Posted by:

The African American Museum in Philadelphia [AAMP] will embrace the holiday season with its annual Kwanzaa celebration. This year’s event features two days, December 28 and 31 – of the traditional candle-lighting ceremony as well as an introduction to Kwanzaa symbols and principles, using a family-friendly format presented by master storyteller, Mlanjani.

 

Other activities, each day ,will include live interactive sessions featuring traditional music, dance, drumming, storytelling, an art making workshop and viewing of The Black Candle: The Story of Kwanzaa, A Film by M.K. Asante, Jr.

 

The Black Candle is an explosive, vibrant documentary that uses Kwanzaa as a vehicle to explore and celebrate the African American experience. Narrated by world-renowned poet Maya Angelou and directed by award-winning author and filmmaker M.K. Asante, Jr., The Black Candle is an extraordinary, inspirational story about the struggle and triumph of African American family, community and culture.

 

The celebration days are Wednesday, December 28th and Saturday, December 31st at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, located at 701 Arch Street.

 

All Kwanzaa Activities are Free with Museum Admission.

 

The schedule of activities includes:

 

Wednesday, December 28 * Kwanzaa Celebration ~ 1:00PM -4:30PM

Kwanzaa Candle-lighting Ceremony with Mlanjeni’s Magical Theater ~ 1:00PM -1:30PM

 

Learn the meaning of Kwanzaa, witness the candle-lighting, and sing along with Mlanjeni’s Magical Theater in this family-friendly program.

 

Drum and Dance Workshop with Camara Arts ~ 1:30PM -2:30PM

 

Get the whole family moving towards a healthy, active new year with this interactive workshop.

 

Mixing Media Art Workshop with Martina Johnson Allen & Tanya Murphy Dodd ~ 2:30PM -4:30PM

 

In observance of Kwanzaa, accomplished multimedia artists Martina Johnson Allen and Tanya Murphy Dodd lead mixed media art making workshops appropriate for all ages, drawing on themes from AAMP’s current exhibition, Mixing Metaphors: The Aesthetic, Social and Political in African American Art.

 

Cinema Sepia, Kwanzaa Edition: The Black Candle (71 min.) ~ 3:00PM -4:30PM

 

The Black Candle is an explosive, vibrant documentary that uses Kwanzaa as a vehicle to explore and celebrate the African American experience. Narrated by world renowned poet Maya Angelou and directed by award-winning author and filmmaker M.K. Asante, Jr., The Black Candle is an extraordinary, inspirational story about the struggle and triumph of African American family, community and culture.

 

Saturday, December 31 * Kwanzaa Celebration ~ 12:00PM -4:30PM

Kwanzaa Candle-lighting Ceremony with Mlanjeni’s Magical Theater ~ 12:00PM -12:30PM

 

Learn the meaning of Kwanzaa, witness the candle-lighting, and sing along with Mlanjeni?s Magical Theater in this family-friendly program.

 

Drum and Dance Workshop with Camara Arts ~ 12:30PM -1:30PM

 

Get the whole family moving towards a healthy, active new year with this interactive workshop.

 

Mixing Media with Martina Johnson Allen & Tanya Murphy Dodd ~ 1:30PM -3:30PM

 

In observance of Kwanzaa, accomplished multimedia artists Martina Johnson Allen and Tanya Murphy Dodd lead mixed media art making workshops appropriate for all ages, drawing on themes from AAMP’s current exhibition, Mixing Metaphors: The Aesthetic, Social and Political in African American Art.

 

Cinema Sepia, Kwanzaa Edition: The Black Candle (71 min.) ~ 3:00PM -4:30PM

 

The Black Candle is an explosive, vibrant documentary that uses Kwanzaa as a vehicle to explore and celebrate the African American experience. Narrated by world renowned poet Maya Angelou and directed by award-winning author and filmmaker M.K. Asante, Jr., The Black Candle is an extraordinary, inspirational story about the struggle and triumph of African American family, community and culture.

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