What started out as a small African and Caribbean music and dance presentation for humanities students in 1992 has turned into a formal concert for the Tallahassee community. Thursday, Florida A&M will host its annual African-Caribbean concert at 7 p.m. in Lee Hall Auditorium.
The event is chaired by FAMU’s office of Black Diasporan Culture. This year’s theme is “Africanisms throughout the Diaspora.”
This year’s performers include Lotus, Omo Elegun, Grupo Bantu Mar, Tutu Ola, FSU’s Mas N’ Steel, FAMU’s Rhythm Rushers and FSU’s African Drum and Dance Ensemble. These various artists will present acts from around the globe including Brazil, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Cuba and African countries.
“This concert will demonstrate the similarities of all African cultures, proving that we are a people of love, pride, and share a strong emotional bond that can never be broken,” said Akin Lowman, concert director.
The concert invites all to come help celebrate this experience. Tickets for FAMU students as well as children under the age of 12 are free; all others are $5. Donations are appreciated as all funding is done solely through personal contributions from members within the organization. All contributions go toward the advancement of the organization.
Janet DeCosmo is co-director of the Black Diasporan Culture organization with Keith Simmonds. DeCosmo, a professor of humanities, teaches courses on Caribbean religion and culture and African film. She has published multiple articles on Bob Marley, and travels extensively to the Caribbean as well as countries in Central and South America to continue her research on cultures of the African Diaspora.
“It’s my mission to help break down the negative stereotypes and misconceptions about the African Diasporan culture,” DeCosmo said. “I want to spread the truth of the rich culture that my students come from.”