VIVIAN GREEN OPENS KWANZAA SAN FRANCISCO, 2023
This year's Kwanzaa Celebration starts on Dec. 26th at City Hall at 12 Noon. The Village Project and our community partners will celebrate our 17th annual Kwanzaa celebration with seven days of community events. More than ever, we are striving to unite and heal our families, communities and nation. Never before has there been such a need to reflect on the Nguzo Saba in order to bring our community together. After surviving the COVID pandemic, we again celebrate daily, each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa (the Nguzo Saba) and pour libations for all of the lost loved ones, along with honoring our ancestors. Each of our hosting partners will present exciting and enriching cultural programs, intended to both entertain and engage the entire family. Our spiritual ceremony - pouring of libations and honoring of ancestors- will start each program and will be followed by cultural performances and the lighting of one of the seven candles of the Kinara. Each of oue evening programs will end with a concert performance, featuring some of the rhythm & blues greats!
This year's entertainment line-up will include blues bands, dance performances, spoken word, and keynote speakers. Our concert headliners will include a myriad of rhythm & blues and jazz performers, featuring Vivian Green, Tia Carroll, The Mary Jane Girls, Michael Skinner Blues Band, Lakeside, Keith Washington and Niecey, Living Single.
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
RSVP & REGISTER @www.eventbrite.com
THE NGUZO SABA SCHEDULE
UMOJA (unity): To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race: Tuesday, December 26th - 12 Noon @ City Hall, 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl; 6 pm @ Minna Nightclub, 111 Minna St; Performances by Vivian Green
KUJICHAGULIA (self-determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves: Wednesday, December 27th; 2:00 pm - Rafiki Wellness/Bayview YMCA, 1601 Lane St.; Western Addition Family Resource Center - 6 pm @ Jones Methodist, 1975 Post; Performance by Tia Carroll
UJIMA (collective work and responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and solve them together: Thursday, December 28th; 2 pm -The Origins Boutique Nightclub @1538 Fillmore St; The Success Centers @ 7 pm @ Bayview Opera House @ 4705 Third St; Performance by The Mary Jane Girls & RB Elite
UJAMAA (cooperative economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together: Friday, December 29th: 2 pm @ St. Andrews Church@ 2565 Post; 6 pm - Minnie & Lovie Rec Center @ 650 Capitol Ave; Performance by Michael Skinner Blues Band
NIA (purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness: Saturday, December 30th: 2 pm @ SF Public Library, 100 Larkins; 6 pm - AAACC/MoMagic @ AAACC @ 762 Fulton; Performance by Lakeside
KUUMBA (creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it: Sunday, December 31st: 2 pm @ Third Baptist Church, 1399 McAllister; 6 pm @ Minna Nightclub, 111 Minna St.; Performance by Keith Washington
IMANI (faith): To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle: Monday, January 1st: 6 pm @ St.Cyprian's Episcopal Church, 2097 Turk Street; Performances by Niecey Living Single & Michael Skinner
About Kwanzaa
Created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, Kwanzaa is celebrated annually by more than 30 million people worldwide, over seven days from December 26 to January 1. The values of Kwanzaa, the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles), are critical tools for addressing the issues facing the African American community. Ceremonies will be led by Brotha’ Clint Sockwell, Kwanza Morton, Malik Seneferu and Toni Battle. There will be a lighting of one of the candles of the kinara & a pouring of libation ceremony, live entertainment & a feast at each event.
