Entertainment
Taylor Bennett, Wyclef Jean, Wayne Wonder, WizKid To Perform at the 28th African Festival of the Arts
By SeeBrown · 9/1/2017
Wyclef Jean, Taylor Bennett, WizKid, and Wayne Wonder to Perform at the 28th African Festival of the Arts in Chicago. September 1-4, 2017
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5100 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60615
A multicultural list of musicians from the black diaspora will perform at the 28th African Festival of the Arts in Chicago. Each night of the four-day festival (September 1-4, 2017) features main stage acts that represent different parts of the black diaspora including Africa, the Caribbean, and soul music from the African American community in the United States.
The opening first night, touted as "Millennial Night", brings WizKid from Nigeria with special Guest Taylor Bennett, brother of Chance the Rapper.
WizKid's music is a mix of hip-hop and Fela Kuti's Afrobeat. As of late, WizKid is among Nigeria's biggest performers. His most known song "Come Closer" features Drake. The Chicago Reader featured Taylor Bennett on the cover issue "The next up in Chicago."
On Saturday, day two of the festival will include a "Reggae Block Party" with award-winning Chicago DJ Ringo and DJ Dee Money. On the Main Stage, reggae artist Wayne Wonder from Jamaica will headline the performances. Wayne Wonder is known for his song "No Holding Back," which topped the Billboard 100 chart in 2003.
On Sunday the third day, dubbed "Inspirational Night", Grammy Award winning artist Wyclef Jean from Haiti will perform. Chicago's J Niice from B-96 radio morning show will host the Sunday line-up.
The festival closes Monday on Labor Day with a "Soul Fest" representing African American music. The funk/disco band, "Heat Wave", popular in the 1970s will close the festival. Among their string of award-winning hits are, "Ain't No Half Steppin," "Super Soul Sister," and "Boogie Nights."
The festival includes art displays, food vendors, pavilions highlighting South African wines, health & wellness and fine arts, world music stage, a drum village, among other live family-friendly activities.
The 2017 African Festival of the Arts hours:
- Friday, September 1: 1PM -10PM
- Saturday, September 2: 10AM -10PM
- Sunday, September 3: 10AM -10PM
- Monday, September 4: 10AM -10PM
Tickets for the festival tickets information:
(AGES 13-64) $15 PRE-SALE $20 AT THE GATE
SENIOR - (AGE 65+) $10
CHILD* - (AGES 5 - 12) $5
*Children under 5 are free.
FAMILY PASS - (2 ADULTS AND UP TO 4 CHILDREN UNDER13) $40
4 DAY TICKET OPTIONS
WEEKEND PASS - (ONE ADULT ADMISSION FOR ALL 4 DAYS) $40
VIP PASSES
VIP - $75
Access to VIP hospitality area with food and drinks. 1 AFA Poster
VIP SILVER - $150
Access to VIP hospitality cabana area with food and drinks. 1 AFA poster.
VIP GOLD -$250
Access to VIP hospitality area with Stage seating, food and drinks, 1 parking pass. 1 AFA poster. (Parking contingent on availability in lot)
African Festival Tickets Outlets
Ticket Outlets
AFA Office Harris Park District 6200 S. Drexel Room 102 773-955-2787
Captain's Hard Times Dining 436 E. 79th St. 773-487-2900
Kilimanjaro 1305 E. 53rd St. 773-324-4860
Kayra Imports 1643 E. 87th St. 773-768-3003
Sesi African Store 17545 Kedzie, Hazel Crest, Il 708-206-0334
Frontline Books 5206 S. Harper Ave. 773-288-7718
Unan Imports 6971 N. Sheridan Rd. 773-274-4022
Ebony Barber Shop 1702 Dodge Ave. Evanston, Il 847-475-9701
The Music Experience 1959 1/2 E. 73rd St. 773-493-0154
Underground Bookstore 1722 E. 87th St. 773-768-8869
Braids and Weaves 1508 W. 127th St. 773-523-8088
Learn more by visiting African Festival of the Arts