Elegba Folklore Society

Opening the Roads to Our Future (Northside)
2020-10-09 17:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Hotchkiss Community Center, 701 E Brookland Park Blvd,, Richmond, VA, 23222, United States
Join us for “Opening the Roads to Our Future”, a four-part series of self-determination neighborhood events featuring performances, conversations, engagement for children and more.

Chief Oluwo Obafemi Fayemi to Visit Richmond - Day 2
2020-08-12 18:00 - 21:00 | African Burial Ground, Broad and 15th Streets, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States
Our inner reality determines our outer reality. As the global vibration is shifting amid demands for social justice, what powers us to be the change? Be with Elegba Folklore Society as we explore the spiritual path of the Yoruba, Ifa,as a tool for guidance & clarity.
Please contact us if you would like to schedule a personal reading,

Chief Oluwo Obafemi Fayemi to Visit Richmond - Day 1
2020-08-11 18:00 - 21:00 | African Burial Ground, Broad and 15th Streets, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States

Juneteenth 2020, A Freedom Celebration - Live Stream
2020-06-20 17:00 - 20:00 | Facebook Live
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Craft making materials

COVID-19 Update
2020-04-30 | Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center, 101 E Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States

The Thursday Cultural Forum Facebook & Instagram Live Begins April 16 at 6p.
2020-04-16 18:00 - 2020-04-30 19:00 | Facebook Live IG Live
https://efsinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20200409_2248034.mp4
We are strong, resilient and self-determined. Keeping this knowledge at the forefront of our minds gives us confidence and calm during this uncertain time. Join Ęlęgba Folklore Society on Facebook & Instagram Live every Thursday for The Thursday Cultural Forum at 6p. We will discuss various biographies, occurrences and black facts that you can add to your protective armor. Seeing ourselves is our own empowerment.

Wonder Wednesdays Facebook Live Begins April 15 at 11a
2020-04-15 11:00 - 2020-04-30 11:30 | Facebook Live
https://efsinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20200409_2248555.mp4
Who knew you would be home schooling?? Ęlęgba Folklore Society is launching a weekly story time for your children. We’re inviting you to gather your children and join us on Facebook Live for Wonder Wednesdays each week at 11a. Together, we will explore African folktales and contemporary chidren’s stories from throughout the African Diaspora.

Community Study Group, What Is Africa to Me?
2020-02-26 17:00 - 19:00, 2019-12-18 19:00 - 21:00, 2019-09-18 19:00 - 21:00, 2019-04-17 07:00 - 21:00 | Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center, 101 E Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States
In this Community Study Group, we explore and discuss history, culture and contemporary affairs throughout the African Diaspora with former Virginia State University professor, Neal Holmes, political scientist and historian.
What Is Africa To Me?
Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center
Monthly. Free.

Black Book Expo - Day 1
2020-02-22 | Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center, 101 E Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States
pThe Black Book Expo, Sat • Feb 22, Sun • Feb 23
Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center, 101 E Broad Street Free. Refreshments Available.
The public is invited to meet authors and browse and buy books to complement personal collections. A variety of titles will be available for adults and children.

3rd Saturday Documentaries
2020-02-15 17:00 - 19:00 | Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center, 101 E Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States
3RD SATURDAY DOCUMENTARIES SAT, FEB 22 • 5P

BASQUIAT: RAGE TO RICHES

Nearly 30 years after his death from a drug overdose in 1988, the legendary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat managed to take the world by storm yet again, when one of his Skull paintings from 1982 recently sold at Sotheby’s for the record-breaking sum of 110 million dollars.

The monetary value and art historical importance of work by this former Downtown NYC graffiti artist is now considered alongside the stars of 20th Century painting such as Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock and Francis Bacon.

Basquiat: Rage to Riches features exclusive interviews with Basquiat’s two sisters, Lisane and Jeanine Basquiat, who have never before spoken about their brother and his art for a television documentary. Contributing alongside them are some of the world’s most powerful and legendary art dealers, including Bruno Bischofberger, Larry Gagosian and Mary Boone. They helped fuel Basquiat’s reputation as he rocketed to art world fame while their own careers and fortunes may have benefited just as much, and possibly more.

With striking candour, art world colleagues and his most intimate friends, lovers and fellow artists draw a portrait of a handsome, charismatic and fragile personality – and spill the beans on the cash, the drugs and the pernicious racism which Basquiat encountered.

The main weapon which Basquiat used to fight the prejudice was his art; the beating heart of this documentary is the painting – the game-changing ways in which it embodied and reflected breakthroughs in music, poetry and a new type of expressionism in modern art.

Black Book Expo - Day 2
2020-01-22 | Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center, 101 E Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States

Capital City Kwanzaa Festival December 28, 2019
2019-12-28 13:00 - 20:00 | Martin Luther King, Jr Middle School, 1000 Mosby St, Richmond, VA, 23223
Capital City Kwanzaa Festival December 28, 2019

Capital City Kwanzaa Festival presents performances, workshops, children’s activities, The African Market, food and more observe the year’s-end Kwanzaa holiday, a cultural affirmation of values, thanksgiving and growth. This event is the largest of its kind in Virginia, and therefore, one of the largest on the East Coast. Elegba Folklore Society’s Artistic Director first produced a Kwanzaa program in Richmond in 1986 and the Society first presented its festival in 1990. (Annually during the December Kwanzaa Holiday)
2019 Capital City Kwanzaa Festival Details
Interested in Vending for 2019 Click Here

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3rd Saturday Documentaries: Black Indians of New Orleans
2019-12-21 17:00 - 19:00 | Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center, 101 E Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States
THE BLACK INDIANS OF NEW ORLEANS
“This classic award-winning documentary is the first definitive treatment of the origins and rituals of the Black Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans, It features two tribes: The Yellow Pocahontas led by Big Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana, and The White Eagles, led by Big Chief Gerald “Jake” Milon. The first part of the film reveals the sociocultural history of the Mardi Gras Indians, their costume prepartion, music, songs, dance and gatherings for a ritual practice. The second part is a sunrise to sunset visual account of the processions and street culture of the Black Indians on Mardi Gras Day. The film was screened for a full week in the New York Whitney Museum’s New Filmmakers Series. also was a finalist in the Cine Golden Eagle Awards and was screened at the Margaret Mead Film Festival. International festivals/screenings include: The Pompedeau Centre in Paris; London; Berlin; West Africa.”

Meet Maasai Chief Josefph Ole Tipanko
2019-10-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center, 101 E Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States
MEET MAASAI CHIEF JOSEPH OLE TIPANKO VISITING WITH HIS DELEGATION FROM KENYA
He and his delegation will speak about Maasai culture — Maasai origins, traditional belief systems, rights of passage and more. Attendees can enjoy a performance of Maasai traditional dance and poetry. Plus, handmade jewelry and other art items by Maasai women will be available for sale. Authentically collectible.
Plus, learn about community development in the Ngong Hills of the Great Rift Valley of southern Kenya.
Free. Bring the family.

Soulful Sunday
2019-09-15 15:00 - 19:00 | Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, 1440 N. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23223, United States
Admission is FREE!
From their first arrival in 1619, Africans & African Americans have contributed to and shaped our nation’s culture in countless ways. Their traditions reflect through art, music, food, religion, and most of all, the convictions of hope, determination, and courage. They have left an indelible and enduring mark on American society.
Come celebrate and commemorate these traditions with dance & music performances, arts & craft activities, historical portrayals, and product & food vendors!

Dominion Energy Center for the Performing Arts 10th Anniversary Celebration
2019-09-06 19:30 - 21:00 | VA
On September 6, 2019 at 7:30PM, RPAA will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the opening of Dominion Energy Center for the Performing Arts (which opened as Richmond CenterStage in 2009). Presented by Altria Group, Virginia Repertory Theatre’s Artistic Director, Nathaniel Shaw, will bring together our resident companies – City Dance Theatre, Elegba Folklore Society, Latin Ballet of Virginia, Quill Theatre, Richmond Ballet, Richmond Symphony, SPARC, Virginia Opera and Virginia Repertory Theatre- for a collaborative performance to celebrate the transformative power of the arts in our community. There is no better way to highlight the mission of RPAA than to provide the Richmond community with access to the incredible local talent of these organizations!
Tickets at: DominionEnergyCenter.com or call 1.800.514.ETIX (3849)
Tickets for the performance will be $27-$42. Use discount code: RPAA10 for 10% off any ticket!
Link to tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/2350036/

2019 AfroFest RVA
2019-08-31 12:00 - 18:00 | Pine Camp Park, 4901 Old Brook Rd., Richmond, VA, United States
AfroFest RVA is returning once again!
Enjoy food, music, African performances, a fashion show, children activities and much more!
“The purpose of AfroFest RVA is to help Africans who have relocated to Richmond form home bases to create connections between other African Nations living in Richmond, as well as to create quality friendships and community connections with the citizens of Richmond,” Enrichmond.comsays.

AfroFest RVA will be held on Aug. 31, from 12-6 p.m. at Pine Camp Arts and Community Center.

29th Annual Down Home Family Reunion
2019-08-17 16:00 - 23:00 | Abner Clay Park, Brook Road and West Clay Street, Richmond, 23219, United States
Down Home Family Reunion, A Celebration of African American Folklife is a downtown weekend festival that celebrates African American folklife with world music and dance, the Heritage Market, special children’s events, interactive site demonstrations and delicious down home food. It is designed to show aspects of West African cultural traditions that are African American and that have been absorbed by the American South. This is one of the Society’s original programs created in 1990.

Juneteenth, A Freedom Celebration - Homage to the Ancestors - JUNE 16, 2019
2019-06-16 15:00 - 19:00 | Richmond’s African Burial Ground, Both Sides of the 1500 Block of E. Broad St., Richmond, 23219
Juneteenth, A Freedom Celebration June 14 – 16, 2019

This year’s Keynote Speaker: Dr. Molefi Kete AsanteAs a people, our most cherished and valuable achievements are the achievements of spirit. With an Afrocentric spirit, all things can be made to happen; it is the source of genuine revolutionary commitment. – Dr. Molefi Kete Asante

June 16 • Homage to the Ancestors
African Burial Ground, 16th & Broad Streets

On Sunday, West African spirit rituals and ceremony refresh and invite an open- ness to say “thank you.” Lead by Virginia Ile O.I.D.S.I., it’s Homage to the An- cestors at the African Burial Ground, 16th and Broad Streets, in ceremony, drumming and song. Attendees may bring an offering for the altar. White or African attire is requested.

Purchase Tickets

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Juneteenth, A Freedom Celebration - Independence Day Our Way - JUNE 15, 2019
2019-06-15 15:00 - 19:00 | Manchester Dock, 139 Virginia Street, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States
Juneteenth, A Freedom Celebration June 14 – 16, 2019

This year’s Keynote Speaker: Dr. Molefi Kete AsanteAs a people, our most cherished and valuable achievements are the achievements of spirit. With an Afrocentric spirit, all things can be made to happen; it is the source of genuine revolutionary commitment. – Dr. Molefi Kete Asante

June 15 • Independence Day Our Way
Manchester Dock, 1308 Brander Street, 23224
Families are invited to an independence day celebration like no other. Enjoy music curated a party master D.J. spiced with history and social justice commentaries. Dr. Molefi Asante will lead the featured, Get Woke Youth Summit on cultural education for ages 10 – 20. There will also be heritage crafts for the children, jump rope and hula hoop contests, African dance and drum workshops for all plus shopping in The Freedom Market, more. Elegba Folklore Society’s performers provide important Afrocentric context for examining the American enslavement of African people, and the event culminates with the Annual Torch Lit Night Walk on the Trail of Enslaved Africans.

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JUNETEENTH, A FREEDOM CELEBRATION - Symposium – JUNE 14, 2019
2019-06-14 18:00 - 22:00 | VA
Juneteenth, A Freedom Celebration June 14 – 16, 2019

This year’s Keynote Speaker: Dr. Molefi Kete AsanteAs a people, our most cherished and valuable achievements are the achievements of spirit. With an Afrocentric spirit, all things can be made to happen; it is the source of genuine revolutionary commitment. – Dr. Molefi Kete Asante

June 14 • The Symposium featuring Dr. Molefi Kete Asante
Dr. Asante is a professor of American American Studies at Temple University and president of the Molefi Kete Asante Institute for Afrocentric Studies in Philadelphia. In coining “Afrocentricity,” he says:
“I chose the term Afrocentricity to emphasize the fact that African people had been moved off of our own terms for the past four hundred years. In other words, Africans were not simply removed from Africa to the Americas, but Africans were separated from philosophies, languages, religions, myths and cultures.
Finding a way to relocate or to reorient our thinking was essential to the presentation of African cultural reality. In fact, without such a reorientation, Africans have nothing to bring to the table of humanity but the experiences of Europeans, those who initially moved Africans off of social, cultural and psychological terms.”
June 15 • Independence Day Our Way
Come to this Independence Day backyard party! Enjoy music, games, shopping, food and history all laid out by the river in the sacred space of the Manchester Dock. At dusk, the Torch Lit Night Walk Along the Trail of Enslaved Africans.
June 16 • Homage to the Ancestors
Engage in African spirituality and thanksgiving at the African Burial Ground.
Purchase Tickets

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African Community Network & Elegba Folklore Society Present - Africa Day
2019-05-25 13:00 - 16:00 | Richmond Public Library, 101 E Franklin St., Richmond, VA, 23219, United States

New Art Exhibit: The Fire Inside -The Paintings of Kelly U. Johnson
2019-05-03 17:00 - 21:00 | Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center, 101 E Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States
NEW ART AT ELEGBA FOLKLORE SOCIETY
“The Fire Inside“
featuring the paintings of Kelly U. Johnson
May 3 – August 31

A native of Louisville, KY, Kelly U. Johnson is a self-taught visual artist who was born to create. She honed her skills at the University of Louisville. The Fire Inside expresses her passion — her love and drive to inspire others with evolution stories. Ms. Johnson shares, “I use texture to reveal experiences, vibrant colors to represent and idea…feeling or even presence within the story.”

Acrylic paint is her favorite because it allows ideas and layering to form and change while creating.

Her work has appeared in publications, and she has shown at several galleries in Richmond, the Taubman Museum in Roanoke and the Mize Gallery in Saint Petersburg, FL, among others. Her work is a part of collections in Saint Petersburg, Houston, Virginia Beach, VCU Children’s Hospital and her hometown of Louisville.

The Fire Inside will include original works and prints. Ms. Johnson will give a gallery talk during the opening reception.

For more, contact Elegba Folklore Society at 804.644.3900 or story1@efsinc.org.

3rd Saturday Documentaries at Elegba Folklore Society: Al Jazeera’s “Favela Rising”
2019-04-20 17:00 - 19:00 | Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center, 101 E Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States
Join us in our Cultural Center every 3rd Saturday in the month as we present cinematic works created by black filmmakers across the diaspora.

Featured Documentary: Favela Rising
Favela Rising is a 2005 documentary film by American directors Jeff Zimbalist and Matt Mochary. It was produced by Sidetrack Films and VOY Pictures. It debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 24, 2005 where it won the award for Best New Documentary Filmmaker for Zimbalist and Mochary. The film’s look at life in Brazil’s slums won it further awards such as Best Documentary Film from the New York Latino Film Festival and Best Feature Documentary from Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. The film has won over twenty-five international festival awards and was short-listed for an Oscar.
The film focuses on the work of Anderson Sá, a former drug trafficker who establishes the grassroots movement AfroReggae. The group, Grupo Cultural AfroReggae (AfroReggae Cultural Group), was initially intended to draw in adolescents interested in a number of musical genres. These genres include, but are not limited to soul, reggae, rap, and hip-hop. Early on, Grupo Cultural AfroReggae offered a different type of education to the youth it attracted. This education included workshops focusing on dance, recycling, football, percussion, and more. The group aims at using music and education to better the lives of youth and prevent further growth of gangs. Grupo Cultural AfroReggae believes that through education, there is a greater likelihood that adolescents will not get caught up in drugs and gang violence.

In the Beginning… Virginia, Along the Trail of Enslaved Africans
2019-04-13 12:00 - 15:30 | Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center, 101 E Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States
Elegba Folklore Society’s monthly tour program has begun! Reserve your space for the second Saturday. Reservations and details: story1@efsinc.org
Journey into Richmond’s history to visit the sites where few monuments exist. These newly marked sites tell the other half of the story; the story that lives between the pages of history books — in red, white and black. An interactive experience along the Trail of Enslaved Africans, attendees have the chance to ponder the impact of enslavement on the enslaved as shared in their own words and from their own view. Embarking by bus after a contextual visit to the Society’s cultural center, participants will walk in our ancestors’ footsteps from their arrival point at river’s edge into Shockoe Bottom, the area of Richmond that housed the holding pens, jails, blocks and burial ground. The interpreters will interweave the narratives of enslaved Africans with the historical record, characterizations of the day and music. Disembarking from your bus and along the walk, participants will have the chance to immerse themselves in past occurrences that impact our perspectives today.

Listen to Elegba Folklore Society’s Program Director Omilade Janine Bell as she speaks on the Trail of Enslaved Africans.
http://efsinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/TrailOfEnslavedAfricansRadio-1.mp3
Living History, Richmond’s Slave Trail – via WVTF.org
http://efsinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/slave_trail_web.mp3

Black Book Expo
2019-03-16 03:00 - 2019-03-17 18:00 | Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center, 101 E Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States
The Black Book Expo, Sat • 3p – 7p, Sun • 3p – 6p
Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center, 101 E Broad Street Free. Refreshments Available.
The public is invited to meet authors and browse and buy books to complement personal collections. A variety of titles will be available for adults and children.

Rejuvenate
2019-02-23 11:00 - 15:00 | Dominion Arts Center, 600 E Grace St #400, Richmond, 23219, United States
The public is invited to Rejuvenate! This series of classes will happen on Saturday, February 23, 11a – 3p at the Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace Street. Elegba Folklore Society will offer a Yoga class, a fitness class, a West African drumming class and a West African dance class. Tuition for each class is $5, and they are open to all ages 6 – 86.

Attendees should enter the Center using the stage door on 7th Street.
