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

MAVUNO FESTIVAL
Sweetwater's Annual Mavuno Festival is an African American performing and visual arts festival. Mavuno, translated as "first fruit" in Swahili, will begin at the start of the Fall/Harvest season.

From Early-September through mid-October, the Mavuno festival will feature a wide range of performances, workshops, visual art exhibitions, and much more in celebration of the African American voice and vision of the region.
Here is a list of events for Mavuno XII:
(check back for updates)

Gospel Workshop with Dr. Curtis Lewis
FREE
This workshop invites all ages and all religions to gather with well known local choral director Dr. Curtis Lewis to learn about the art of gospel song. Participants will practice and sing together for a performance at the end of the workshop.

Rehearsals...........................................Mondays, 6:30 - 8:30pm
..................................................July 21, Aug 18, Sept 8, Sept 22
...............at Sewickley Academy, Rhea Auditorium rehearsal room
......................................................................315 Academy Ave
..................................................................Sewickley, PA 15143

Performance..........................Saturday, September 27, 6:30 pm
......................................at Sewickley Academy, Rhea Auditorium
......................................................................315 Academy Ave
..................................................................Sewickley, PA 15143


The Dwayne Dolphin Piccolo Bass Band 
Sept 6, 7:00-9:00 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 fast becoming a legend of his own. Join us for this great night of music and hear Dolphin play his own version of the piccolo bass.
$10/person
...........................................at Sweetwater Center for the Arts
......................................................................200 Broad Street
................................................................Sewickley, PA 15143


First Fruit XII art exhibition
FREE
Sweetwater and the Aliquippa Alliance for Unity and Development (AAUD) are partnering to bring you the 12th annual exhibition of artwork by African American artists and artists whose work celebrates African American culture. This exhibition has showcased many great artists through the years as well as given emerging artists a chance to exhibit their work. This exhibition will overlap the Aliquippa Arts & Music Festival which is being held on Saturday, September 13th.
Exhibition Dates.........................................Sept 5 thru Sept 14
Artist Reception......................................Sept 11, 6:00-8:00pm
....................................................................at 464 Franklin Ave
...................................................................Aliquippa, PA 15001

Mavuno Invitational art exhibition
FREE
This exhibition will showcase artists chosen by curator Elizabeth Asche Douglas, a local artist, performer and gallery owner. Artists included in the exhibition are Mayota Hill, Monique Luck, Jim McDowell and Anire Mosley.

Exhibition Dates........................................Sept 12 thur Oct 10
Artist Reception/Fall Gallery Walk............Sept 12, 5:30-9:00
.................................................at Sweetwater's Balcony Gallery
......................................................................200 Broad Street
.................................................................Sewickley, PA 15143


WACONGO Dance Company Performance
Sept 20, 7:00
Sweetwater and Carlow University are partnering to present this performance. 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.
$6/person or
FREE with your Carlow ID or Sweetwater membership
.......................................at Carlow University, Antonian Theater
..........................................................................3333 Fifth Ave
.................................................................Pittsburgh, PA 15213


Curator's Lecture
Oct 3, 6:00-8:00
African American Artists:
Community, Collaboration and the Quest for Social Justice
This lecture by Elizabeth Asche Douglas will provide a brief overview of African American visual art from its emergence into prominence with the Harlem Renaissance to the present, and show how today's artists continue the talk and walk of their predecessors.
members $5 / non-members $10
..............................................at Sweetwater Center for the Arts
......................................................................200 Broad Street
.................................................................Sewickley, PA 15143


Mavuno XII Community Day Celebration
FREE
This fun filled day has something for everyone! Sweetwater will open its doors with activities, games, food and performances! Check back for more details on this exciting event!
....................................................................Oct 11, 11:00-5:00
...............................................at Sweetwater Center for the Arts
.......................................................................200 Broad Street
..................................................................Sewickley, PA 15143

Lecture: History of African Americans in Sewickey Valley
with Autumn Redcross
FREE
Autumn Redcross will be presenting a lecture on her and Betty Cole's recently released book History of African Americans in the Sewickley Valley. This lecture is presented by teh Sewickley Valley Historical Society. Refreshments and book signing opportunity will follow lecture.
..............................................................................Oct 21, 7:00
...............................................at Sweetwater Center for the Arts
.......................................................................200 Broad Street
..................................................................Sewickley, PA 15143

After-School Art Workshop for Kids
FREE
Sweetwater and the Father Ryan Art Center are partnering to bring you this FREE after-school workshop for your 7-12 year old. Children will work with artists & author Clarabelle Van Niekerk to create art, costumes and props all the while learning about South African Culture. The Workshop will end with a performance by the children using the objects they created.
...................................................Oct 20 thru Oct 24, Afterschool
.....................................................at the Father Ryan Art Center
.....................................................................420 Chartiers Ave
...........................................................McKees Rocks, PA 15136

The 2008 Mavuno Festival of African American Art and Culture is funded in part by National Endowment for the Arts and The Multi-Cultural Arts Initiative.
Community Partners include Sewickley Academy, the Daniel B. Matthews Historical Society, Carlow University, the Father Ryan Art Center and the Aliquippa Alliance for Unity and Development.
Media Sponsor is WDUQ 90.5FM.
Media Partners are The New Pittsburgh Courier, WAMO-FM/AM, WPGR & www.brothaashproductions.com
Event Planner: Corporate Planners

Click here for ways to get involved:

Performers

Vendors

Visual Artists

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