Press Release

Media Contacts
Faruk Kaiyum, (585) 442-9892
or Curtis K. Rivers, (585) 271-7010

Theatre and Jazz promotes three new one-act plays, two art exhibits.

Rochester NY: The Sankofa Festival of the Arts committee is extending an invitation to you to attend and support this year's festival which marks our ninth year of celebrating arts and theatre. Making their debut this year are very memorable one-act plays from three local playwrights. The curtain goes up at 7PM on Friday, August 21st at the Multi-use Community Cultural Center, 142 Atlantic Avenue. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $12.50, or $15.00 at the door. A special discount is available for groups of ten or more. For information on the Friday night Theatre and Jazz, contact Curtis K. Rivers at 585-271-7010.

These works will be staged on August 21, at MuCCC:
“Catholic Girls” by Laura A Thomas
“No Woman … No Cry” by Justice Peace
“How Come Y’ All Got to Blame Me?” by Dr. David A. Anderson/Sankofa

NEW THIS YEAR!
Come out and enjoy two major art exhibitions. The first will be held at the Arts and Cultural Council Gallery, 277 North Goodman Street, including works of several well-known African American artists from western New York. The show will run from July 24th thru August 14th, 2009. The second exhibit will be held in concert with the opening night of the Sankofa Festival at the Baobab Cultural Center, 728 University Avenue. The exhibit will run from August 21st thru September 30th, 2009. The Sankofa Festival of the Arts is open to the public.

About the Festival
The Sankofa Festival is an annual African American music, art, theatre, spoken word, and dance festival sponsored by Mood Makers Books, Kaiyum Gallery and Village Gate. It is a comprehensive, joyful celebration of art and artists of African decent. It is our mission to showcase the best of Rochester’s culture … “Learning from the Past - Building for the Future!”

For the past eight years the Sankofa Festival of the Arts has been successfully presented at Village Gate, in the neighborhood of the Arts, traditionally held on the 4th Saturday in August. This year’s festival marks our ninth year and is scheduled for August 21st & 22nd, 2009.

In the past, it has been a one-day event, featuring a market place of vendors, information booths, food, and an impressive list of music, dance, spoken word, artists and local talent. Last year (2008) marked an expanded two-day festival which included a Friday night celebration of theatre arts and jazz. Local playwrights were asked to submit one-act plays for consideration to be staged as the opening night festival celebration and fundraiser. Seven plays were submitted and three plays were selected for staging.