“Africa Underground” Returns to Celebrate Kenya on the National Mall
National Museum of African Art Hosts Evening of Food, Music and Dance
“Africa Underground” celebrates “Kenya on the Mall” Saturday, June 28, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art with a cultural evening of food, music and dance from Kenya and its diaspora. The event will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. and is part of the museum’s 50th-anniversary yearlong celebration; it is in conjunction with the 48th Smithsonian Folklife Festival where Kenya is one of the featured countries.
Coming on the heels of the successful sold-out “Africa Underground” in February 2013, DJ Omosh Fya will be spinning beats from the heart of the Enid A. Haupt Garden. There will be performances from Kenyan comedian Baby J, Makadem with his fusion of Kenyan sounds and Afro-rock jam band Jabali Afrika.
Tickets are $25 and must be purchased online. Entry includes one free drink with ticket purchase. Food and drink will be available for purchase. A special 20 percent discount rate is available to Folklife Festival Market Place store patrons on the National Mall June 25–28 (with festival discount code). Participants must be 21 to be admitted (IDs will be checked at the door).
“Africa Underground” is held twice a year. Each after-hours event is themed and features works of art, cuisine from the African diaspora from area restaurants, specialty cocktails, creative art activities, live performances and music entertainment from emerging DJs or music groups.
About the National Museum of African Art
The National Museum of African Art is the nation’s premier museum dedicated exclusively to the collection, conservation, study and exhibition of Africa’s traditional and contemporary arts. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free. The museum is located at 950 Independence Ave. S.W., near the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange lines. For more information, call (202) 633-4600 or visit the National Museum of African Art’s website. For general Smithsonian information, call (202) 633-1000.
Note to Editors: To arrange an interview with the performers, contact Eddie Burke at (202) 633-4660 or burkee@si.edu.
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SI-319A-2014