Bimbe Cultural Arts Festival Wins National Recognition

Durham Parks and Recreation has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious 2011 Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanities Award for the success of the Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival, a community-wide celebration of African and African American culture, history and traditions. Awarded by the National Recreation & Park Association (NRPA), the Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanities program honors the most innovative and effective arts and humanities programs across the nation. The Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival has been a signature event in Durham since 1969.

Accolades, rankings and other interesting tidbits are posted daily in Where Great Things Happen. Sign up to receive these updates as they happen, or in a daily digest by visiting here and clicking "Get DNS - Where Great Things Happen delivered by email" or by subscribing through your web-based reader.

42nd Annual Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival

Of all the festivals and annual events celebrated by Durhamites, none captures the spirit of Spring, renewal and community quite like The Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival. Now in its 42nd year, the festival was established in honor of the West African festival of harvest and celebration. Entire villages would gather to give thanks through dance, praise and feasting. The hallmark of the festival is the spirit of sharing as each family or tribe shares its best fruits with the entire village.

Durham has embraced the family friendly festival as a celebration of African and African American history, culture, art and music. Headliners for the 2011 festival feature national and local talent including Rob Base & Big Daddy Kane, Shana Tucker and Lo-K-Shun. The Bimbe Cultural Arts Festival is Saturday, May 14, from 12pm-8pm at CCB Plaza, 201 N. Corcoran St. The festival is preceded by a week of supporting events.  Make some plans to go and see another of the reasons that Durham is where great things happen.

Schedule of  Events

Tuesday, May 10, 2011, 1 p.m.
Back to the Future Teen Summit
Hillside High School Auditorium, 3727 Fayetteville St.

Thursday, May 12, 2011, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
2011 Poetry Slam
Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville St

Friday, May 13, 2011, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Bring It To The Floor: Teen Talent Showcase
Holton Career and Resource Center, 401 N. Driver St.

Friday, May 13, 2011, 8 p.m.
John Brown Little Big Band
Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville St.
Admission: $15 Adults/$10 students and senior citizens

Saturday, May 14, 2011
12 p.m. - Welcome
12:05 p.m. - Salute to Elders
    (By The Magic of African Rhythms)
12:25 p.m. - African Dance Presentation
    (By The Magic of African Rhythms)
12:55 p.m. - Winner of the Poetry Slam Contest
1:05 p.m. - Shana Tucker (Jazz)
2:10 p.m. - Ohenemma (African)
2:30 p.m. – Domestic Violence Presentation
2:45 p.m. - S.T.O.R.M. Reggae Band (Reggae)
3:45 p.m. – HIV/AIDS Presentation
4 p.m. - Cardye (R&B)
5 p.m. - Really Real (Rap)
5:15 p.m. - Lo-K-Shun (Old Skool)
6:15 p.m. - Brian Dawson’s DJ Medley
6:30 p.m. - Feature Headliner Act:  Rob Base & Big Daddy Kane