Apollo Theater Presents ‘Kwanzaa Celebration: Regeneration Night,’ A Virtual Experience
The Apollo Theater has announced the line-up for its annual
“Kwanzaa Celebration: Regeneration Night,” which brings together dance, music, and poetry to honor the seven core principles of Kwanzaa including family, community, and culture.
On Sunday, December 27 at 7:00 p.m. ET, the Apollo’s Kwanzaa Celebration will feature special performances by Abdel R. Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre with special guests spoken word artist Mumu Fresh, poet Marc Bamuthi Joseph, and Harlem Children’s Zone Youth Academy of Dance and Wellness, hosted by award-winning radio host and Apollo Kwanzaa mainstay Imhotep Gary Byrd. The event will be streamed for free digitally on the Apollo Digital Stage.
Kwanzaa is an African-American cultural celebration, which is observed from December 26 to January 1. Participants reflect on seven basic principles that focus on recommitting to the collective achievement of a better life for families, community, and the Black community. Kwanzaa was introduced in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga as a response to the commercialism of Christmas and to focus on building community.
“We’re thrilled to unite our Apollo community virtually and create a space for celebration and reflection during Kwanzaa, in what was certainly a challenging year,” said Apollo Theater Executive Producer Kamilah Forbes. “Ujima, the third principle of Kwanzaa, stresses the need for togetherness and collective work during difficult times, and the Apollo’s celebration will be a joyful evening of music, performance, and Black culture.
During the evening, “Kwanzaa Celebration: Regeneration Night will premiere “Dawnfeather Rising: In The Age of Ma’att, new choreography by the critically acclaimed Abdel Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, who blend contemporary modern, West African, house and hip-hop dance styles.
Imhotep Gary Byrd will introduce the Nguzo Saba, the seven pillars of Kwanzaa.
Since 2006, the Apollo has presented this annual event to celebrate this holiday tradition during Kwanzaa.
