Music for everyone! Pete Escovedo featuring Shelia E!, Angelique Kidjo, Ahmad Jamal, Abram Wilson , MC Lyte, Special Ed, Michael Henderson, Sir Nose, Cherrelle, Johnny Clegg, and Roberta Flack! Special appearance by Vickie Winans!

Chicago - The 16th Annual Chrysler Financial African Festival of the Arts illuminates and celebrates the African influence on global cultures Labor Day Weekend September 2-5 from 10:00am-10:00pm in Chicago's historic Washington Park (51st and Cottage Grove). An amalgamation of global music traditions from jazz to blues; Latin rhythms to gospel; afro-fusion to hip-hop and Neo-Soul will be featured representing A Cultural Tapestry born from the African Diaspora experience.

Gospel mega star Vickie Winans and world music superstar Angelique Kidjo open and R&B legend Roberta Flack closes a weekend of phenomenal performances reflecting Africa's global influence on music and culture! Expect an explosion of Latin rhythms from Pete Escovedo and his daughter, the sensational Shelia E! Music icon Ahmad Jamal's and the Ravinia Jazz Mentor's indigenous American jazz connects with the contemporary jazz of Soweto Kinch featuring Abram Wilson. The Johnny Clegg Band Featuring the music of Juluka and Savuka from South Africa, T-Vice from Haiti, Wayna with Mr. Theowdros Tadesse from Ethiopia, and fashion designer Greta Luce from Benin are among the stellar international talent. Chicago's Samba 1 Dance Group will perform with Pimenta Malgueta of Brazil. The traditional style of Africa's Kora award winning Jean Paul-Samputu is off set by the funky 70's Bass Players Revue featuring Michael Henderson, Sir Nose, George Johnson, Cherrelle, and more! DJ Le Spam & the Spam All-stars are guaranteed to rock the park with an electronic descarga.

The NBC 5 Chicago news anchor team will be on-site with network soap opera stars. Chicago based entertainment includes an AACM assembly led by Douglas Ewart with Inventions, vocalist Senabella, Roland Brown, the MUNTU Dance Theater, tap dancer Bril Barrett, Antone with a Barry White review, the Apostolic Church of God Brotherhood Chorale, Apostolic Faith Choir, and Sherry Scott formerly with Earth, Wind, and Fire.

African drumming sessions continue through the weekend led by Master Drummers Olu Shakoor and Baba Tyemba Mtu. Experienced and novice drummers are invited to participate.

The Hip-Hop Stage in the heart of the festival's village features community discussions, presentations and performances specifically designed to demonstrate the transformative power of hip hop culture.
Scheduled performers include: MC Lyte, Special Ed, JUICE (Chicago Freestyle Champion), Teefa (MC and WGCI Radio, Personality); Chicago Idol Winners: Russoul, Whiteboy, Mikkey (Virgin Artist); Def Jam Poets: Emerald, Red Storm, Kevin Coval, Tee Jay (Mr. Windy City) and Phenom (of Poetree). Carl Brown and 911 Latin Dance group are among the closing acts for this stage.

Over 700,000 people are expected to converge on the festival grounds to enjoy the art, music, history, fashion and cuisine from the Caribbean, Africa and other African Diaspora destinations during the extended end of summer weekend. Over 300 vendors from Africa and the United States with African centered arts, crafts, sculpture, health and skin care products, fabrics, textiles, and fashions will sell their wares- at great prices - in an authentic African village. The savvy shopper always negotiates until the price right.

Festival pavilions feature conversations with national, international and local leaders, scholars, and experts on issues of relevance to the global Black community. The Children's Pavilion has activities for the child in each of us including a computer animation workshop. ICE Theaters will present film shorts by filmmakers of African ancestry and children's films. Hear Best Selling authors read from their books and learn about holistic health from both healers and medical professionals. Let your taste buds dance in delight from the abundance of global African cuisine in the food court

Get great bargains on African art, jewelry, woodcarvings, sculpture, masks, fashions and textiles from over 300 exhibitors in the Festival's authentic African Market.

The Festival is respected for its robust exhibit of fine collectible art by artists of African ancestry and is an excellent occasion to acquire original art to expand your collection. Samuel Akainyah is the festival's commissioned artist and lithographs of his festival themed creation will be available for purchase. The Ghanaian born U.S. citizen is internationally renowned for his spectacular works that range from those with Impressionist leanings to others reflecting the artist's own heritage as an African-American. Woodrow Nash sculpture, Frank Frazier African cloth and oil on canvas board, Stacy Brown acrylic on glass, Marvin Sin the finest in leather handbags, Bayo oil on canvas and Dayo Laoye oil on canvas, charcoal and pastel on paper are among this year's Art Pavilion artists.

Festival proceeds support Africa International House (AIH), a not-for profit organization that is dedicated to exposing and educating all people to the collective and individual contributions of African Cultures. In an effort spearheaded by NBC5 Chicago, toys for African children left as orphans due to the AIDS epidemic will be collected on site. Presenting sponsors include: Chrysler Financial, NBC5 Chicago, Illinois Lottery, University of Chicago Hospitals, Illinois Department of Human Services and WVON radio. General admission is $10. Discounted weekend, group and family passes are available. For talent photos, additional information and daily festival schedules visit: www.africainternationalhouse.org or call: 773.955.ARTS (2787).