UPCOMING EVENTS:

SUMMER EVENTS

figurePittsburgh Opening Reception
Saturday, August 2, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Sweetwater Center for the Arts
Free!

This is a group exhibition of work by artists residing in and around the city of Pittsburgh in celebration of Pittsburgh's 250th Anniversary.
Exhibition runs from August 2 - August 27

FALL EVENTS

Mavuno Festival of African American Art & Culture, XII

SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2008

MAVUNO offers a wide-range of family-friendly events and exhibitions many of them free or at minimal cost to you and your family.

THE DWAYNE DOLPHIN PICCOLO BASS BAND

Saturday, September 6, 7:00 PM

Sweetwater is proud to present Dwayne Dolphin and his talented musicians for an exciting night of jazz and funk to kick off this year's MAVUNO festivities. Dolphin, a Pittsburgh native, has played all over the world with some of jazz's most famous musicians and is quickly becoming a legend in his own right. Just us and hear Dolphin play his own version of the piccolo bass.

Sweetwater Center for the Arts......................................................................................$10/person

FIRST FRUIT XII RECEPTION

Thursday, September 11, 6:00-8:00 PM

Sweetwater and the Aliquippa Alliance for Unity and Development (AAUD) are partnering to bring you the 12gh annual exhibition of artwork by African American artists and artists whose work celebrates African American culture. The FIRST FRUIT art exhibition represents a variety of artistic media created by both establihed and emerging local artists. The exhibition is held in conjunction with the Aliquippa Arts & Music Festival on Saturday, September 13, from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM. FIRST FRUIT XII will run from September 5 - September 14. See www.sweetwaterartcenter.org/mavuno.asp for the gallery schedule.

Aliquippa Alliance for Unity and Development, 464 Franklin Ave., Aliquippa, PA 15001..................FREE

MAVUNO INVITATIONAL RECEPTION & GALLERY WALK

Friday, September 12, 5:30-9:00 PM

Join us for an exciting night of art and music, which will take place during Sewickley's Fall Gallery Walk! The exhibition, curated by Elizabeth Asche Douglas, showcases the work of four prominent African American artists who work in the Pittsburgh area: Mayota Hill, Monique Luck, Jim McDowell, and Anire Mosley. The world displayed will represent a wide range of styles and media. The exhibition will run through October 10.

Sweetwater's Balcony Gallery..................................................................................................FREE

WACONGO DANCE COMPANY PERFORMANCE

Saturday, September 20, 7:00 PM

Experience the amazing display of vibrant energy this dance troop creates. WACONGO is a traditional ensemble of master drummers, musicians, and dancers from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The company performs ancestral songs and dances of Central Africa.

Antonian Theater, Carlow University, 3333 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213.........................$6/person or FREE with your Carlow IS or Sweetwater membership card (must be presented at door)

REJOICE IN GOSPEL!

Saturday, September 27, 6:30 PM

The art of gospel is an inherent aspect of African American culture today and throughout history. Sweetwater is honored to have had the well-known Music Director Dr. Curtis Lewis instruct a gospel workshop that has practiced all summer in preparation for this performance. Dr. Lewis has been the Music Director at the Church in the Round in Aliquippa for over 40 years and has led numerous choirs, both locally and nationally.

Sewickley Academy, Rea Auditorium, 315 Academy Ave., Sewickley, PA 15143..........................FREE

AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTISTS: COMMUNITY, COLLABORATION, & THE QUEST FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

Friday, October 3, 6:00-8:00 PM

Join Elizabeth Asche Douglas, curator of the MAVUNO INVITATIONAL exhibition, as she provides a brief overview of African American visual art from its emergence into prominence with the Harlem Renaissance to the present and shows how today's artists continue the talk and walk of their predecessors.

Sweetwater Center for the Arts.......................................................members $5 / non-members $10

MAVUNO XII COMMUNITY DAY CELEBRATION

Saturday, October 11, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

GRIOT: HOLDER OF HISTORY is the theme for this fun-fille day that has something for everyone in your family! Sweetwater will open its doors with art activities for kids, music, dance, food and performances!

Sweetwater Center for the Arts.............................................................................................FREE

AFTER SCHOOL ART WORKSHOP FOR KIDS

Monday, October 20 - Friday, October 24

Sweetwater and the Fatehr Ryan Art Center are partnering to bring you this FREE after-school workshop for children ages 7-12. Children will work with artist and author Clarabelle Van Niekerk to create art, costumes, and props, all while learning about South Africqan culture. The workshop will conclude with a performance given by the children using the objects they create. Registration is required. Call Sweetwater at 412.741.4405 to register.

Father Ryan Art Center, 420 Chartiers, Ave., McKees Rocks, PA 15136.......................................FREE

AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE SEWICKLEY VALLEY: LECTURE & BOOK SIGNING

Wednesday, October 22, 7:00 PM

The Sewickley Valley Historical Society is proud to cap off MAVUNO XII with a slide lecture by Autumn Redcross entitled AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE SEWICKLEY VALLEY. She and Bettie Cole are authors of a recently published book by that title in Arcadia's Press's IMAGES OF AMERICA series. A book signing and refreshments will follow the presentation.

Sweetwater Center for the Arts...............................................................................................FREE

The MAVUNO Festival is sponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Multicultural Arts Initiative. The media sponsor is WDUQ, 90.5 FM. Media partners include: WAMO, 106.7 FM; The New Pittsburgh Courier; and BrothaAshProductions.com. Community partners include Father Ryan Art Center, Aliquippa Alliance for Unity and Development (AAUD), Daniel B. Matthews Historical Society, Sewickley Valley Historical Society, Sewickley Academy and Carlow University.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

If you are interested in volunteering at Sweetwater Center for the Arts, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Kelly Koble, at 412.741.4405.
All volunteers earn $4/hour towards classes at Sweetwater!