Carribean concert takes a look at the African roots

Taking students through an African voyage, the 14th annual African Caribbean Concert will be held Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. in Lee Hall. It is designed to expose students to the African and Caribbean cultures.

Concert director Osubi Craig said the concert has a strong purpose behind it.

“Great many students have lines tracing back to Africa and the Caribbean, and this event will provide students of FAMU with African and Caribbean drum and dance as well as poetry,” Craig said. “It will expose students to the African Diaspora culture.”

The event is sponsored by the Office of Black Diaspora culture, co-sponsored by the office of student activities, the Florida A&M University 37th Student Senate and the Prophecy School of the Arts.

The concert will consist of performances by a number of different individuals as well as groups.

“The two major performances of the night will come from the Ase Dance Theatre and Saddi Khali, who is a poet from HBO’s Def Poetry Jam,” Craig said.

The bigger of the two performances will be The New York based Ase Dance Theatre, which will be led by award winning choreographer, Adia Whitaker.

This theatre will give FAMU students a neo-folkloric performance ensemble made up of freestyle dancers, spoken word artists and musicians.

Many students from Africa and the Caribbean are excited that an event is finally coming to FAMU that is going to help educate other students about their culture.

“Since both of my parents are from Liberia, I am very excited for an event like this,” said Anrina Payne, 18, a first-year business administration student from Coon Rapids, Minn. “I feel like it will help educate students on the campus about my African culture.”

Janet Decosmo, an associate professor of humanities, said this event is an exciting way to learn more about the two cultures.

“This event is important because it gives students a chance to learn more about African history and heritage in a fun and entertaining way,” Decosmo said.

The show is free for FAMU students with proper ID and children under 12, $8 general admission and $5 for senior citizens and non-FAMU students.

“This is 14 years dedicated to presenting culture in the performing arts,” Craig said. “I encourage everyone, who can to come out. It’s a real big celebration.”