The 25th African Festival of the Arts in Chicago Celebrated with The Temptations, Music, Fashion, Art, And Food From the Black Diaspora

25th African Festival of the Arts in Chicago

For the past 25 years the African Festival of the Arts held in Washington Park on Chicago's South Side is one of the only festival that showcase black culture in Chicago. To celebrate its silver anniversary, AFA brought in Motown music legendary band The Temptations, jazz great Cassandra Wilson, Salif Keita from Mali, and Musiq Soulchild among the celebrity music headliners for the festival.

The 25th African Festival of the Arts was held three-days on  Labor Day Weekend from Friday, August 29 to Monday, September 2, 2014.

The Temptations peform at the 25th African Festival of the Arts

The Temptations closed the celebration on a bright note with their classic hit songs "My Girl" and "Just My Imagination." Watch #BVNews video highlights of their performance.

Black culture in all its variety, colors and richness was on display throught the festival village. The music, art, beauty accessories all referenced black people's history, beauty, and diversity. 

Vendors at the 25th African Festival of the Arts

Festival attendees enjoyed art and accessories, merchandise that represented countries in the black diaspora including African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and food from Caribbean countries such as Jamaica and Haiti among others.

The audience watching concert at the 25th African Festival of the Arts

The festival included five distinct sections of African culture: Food court, art section, drum village, world music stage, and a main stage.

Art village the 25th African Festival of the Arts

Art village the 25th African Festival of the Arts

On the main stage on Saturday afternoon there was a fashion show by local Chicago fashion designers from the black diaspora.

 

 
Knotty Loop Crochet Clothing Creations

Each year festival attendees look forward to the annual African Festival of the Arts as an event where they can experience the music and purchase black culture inspired merchandise and food.

Food court at the 25th African Festival of the Arts
 

Shea butter beauty item at the 25th African Festival of the Arts
 

The festival is well supported by Chicagoans. In attendance for this year's festival were Alderman Pat Dowell from the 3rd Ward and Willie Cochran from the 20th Ward. In addition, Dr. Carol Adams, President of the DuSable Museum of African American Art was also in attendance.

 

 Fashion Show at the 25th African Festival of the Arts

 Fashion Show at the 25th African Festival of the Arts

Fashion Designer Nashema who has Jamaican heritage spoke to BreakingVoices.com about her work and how she gains inspiration from Jamaican her parents and dancehall reggae nightlife.

  
Nashema, a fashion designer with Jamaican heritage

 Fashion Show at the 25th African Festival of the Arts

 Fashion Show at the 25th African Festival of the Arts

 Fashion Show at the 25th African Festival of the Arts

A popular item sold at the festival was Jackie Robinson West T-shirts. The yellow and blue shirts were sold in recognition of the South Side Chicago Little League Baseball team who won the 2014 Little League World Series Championship.

Vendors selling Jackie Robinson West T-shirts at the 25th African Festival of the Arts

Listen to Chicago 20th Ward Alderman Willie Cochran interview at African Festival of the Arts during the Musiq Soulchild concert.

Musiq Soulchild, a R&B singer performed many of his 1990s hit songs during the Saturday night concert at African Festival of the Arts. Watch video highlights below.

Each year the African Festival of the Arts bring together black people from around Chicago and the country. Many have been attending since the inception. Ms. Jean Martin, a Chicagoan with Jamaican heritage has been at attending the festival since its inception.

Jean Martin from Jamaica at the 25th African Festival of the Arts

The Consulate General of Haiti shared Haitian culture and business at a booth at the 25th African Festival of the Arts.

Consulate General of Haiti and others at the 25th African Festival of the Arts