On April 27-28 of 2012, we will be drumming up a lot of excitement, entertainment, and fun in downtown Macon as our Pan African Festival of Georgia turns Sweet 16.

This year, for the first time in the Festival’s history, all of the activities will take place at a brand new location – the Cherry Street Plaza, in front of our beautiful new, 49,000 square-foot Museum. The 2012 Pan African Festival will be bigger and better than ever and will be jam-packed with activities (music, dance, food, film, art, and a Children’s Corner) the entire family can enjoy. Vendors will line Cherry St Plaza with unique items, food, and art people can purchase at our Pan African Marketplace. At center stage, in front of the new museum, Georgia artists, musicians, and performers will entertain the crowds, and a special kick-off event and fundraiser will launch the Festival on Friday evening, April 27.

Other features and offerings of the 2012 Festival include a Poetry Café, a Family Film, and an Interfaith Unity Service – all of which are completely free and open to the public. The Pan African Festival of Georgia is a quickly growing and extremely popular event that draws thousands of families, adults and children, and tourists and visitors.

Last year, over 10,000 people attended the weekend Festival, and we anticipate an even larger crowd in 2012 with the new location and our dynamic offerings. The mission of the Tubman Museum is to educate people About African American art, history and culture and to promote harmony among all races. The PAFOG helps to do just that. Through this festival, we celebrate and explore through multiple mediums the experiences, history, and cultures created by the African Diaspora, and we bring together people of all ages, backgrounds, races and ethnicities in an event that by bringing this free event to the community.

Schedule of Events are as follows:

Exhibit Opening Reception – Friday, April 20th 6-8pm
Tubman Museum

“A Visit to My House: A public and private narrative” 30 years of Art by Curlee Raven Holton.

Curlee Holton is both a distinguishes educator and an exhibiting artist. A master printmaker, Holton routinely works in a variety of mediums including drawing, painting and bookmaking. His work is in many public and private collections, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Yale University Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. The work in this exhibition is a sampling of the last 30 years of the artist’s work.

Poetry Café – Tuesday, April 24th 7-9pm
Film Festival – “To Be Heard” runtime 87 minutes
Douglass Theater

“To Be Heard” is the story of three teens from the South Bronx whose struggle to change their lives begins when they start to write poetry. We watch these three youngsters emerge as accomplished and self-aware artists, who use their creativity to alter their circumstances. Local artists then step forward to deliver authentic poetic pieces. This event is a collaboration between the Macon Film Guild, Poetic Peace, the Douglass Theater, and the Tubman African American Museum.

Festival Kick-off – Friday, April 27 7pm – FREE
Cherry Street Plaza & intersection of MLK Blvd
(Marketplace opens at 4pm)

Mob dancing in the streets to Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation” led by Pilar Wilder & Hayiya Dance Theatre.

Opening Ceremony & Interfaith Unity Service Saturday, April 28th 11am – FREE
Cherry Street Plaza

A diversity of faiths come together in a celebration of unity. Program lasts one hour.

Marketplace & Entertainment Saturday, April 28 11am – 11pm
Cherry Street Plaza

Enjoy the day with the whole family! Local artists take to the streets in the form of song, music, dance and much more. Performers in every genre of music from gospel to R&B to Alternative will take to the stage. Vendors provide unique items and exquisite culinary treats.

FREE

Children’s Corner Saturday, April 28
Georgia Children’s Museum

A special place just for our little festival goers. In a world of their own, children enjoy arts & crafts, face painting and more.

Movie on the Plaza @ Sundown Saturday, April 28th

Cool down with the feature film, The Blind Side starring Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw. The story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized teen who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family. The movie is written and directed by John Lee Hancock and based on the book, “The Blind Side.”