A DAY IN WEST AFRICA - LIVING MUSEUM PROJECT

Trina Soumare in collaboration with Ballet Brika West African Dance Theater, the Midtown Commerce Center will create a two day "West African Living Museum" experience for youth and the adults. Artists will recreate a West African village setting which will provide visitors with an experiential interpretation of life in indigenous West Africa. The gallery and a portion of the parking lot of the Midtown Commerce Center will be transformed into a mock African village (constructed mainly of natural and recycled materials) complete with authentic textiles, artifacts and structures, a royal family and villagers clad in authentic African garments going about their daily activities (such as preparing meals, telling stories, caring for children, building drums, braiding hair, building drums, craft making). The museum will also feature information and hands-on arts and learning activities surrounding holiday celebrations, non-religious rituals (like rites of passage ceremonies), the significance of African hair braiding, how values are taught, and lessons in indigenous languages. Youth will have opportunities to dress up in traditional West African attire, play authentic musical instruments, interact with actors and ask questions. Visitors will be invited to participate in an exciting community celebration including music and dance.