The African Cultural Alliance of
North America Inc. (ACANA)
celebrated eight years of providing
socio-cultural and economic services to
African immigrants in Greater Philadelphia.
In commemoration of their achievements,
ACANA hosted their annual Millennium of
Music and Dance Festival on Chester Avenue
in southwest Philadelphia. The theme of the
event was “Bridging the Cultural Gap”.
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below: by
Edith L. Dixon, Andnews.org Contributing
Writer
Southwest Philadelphians
were dancing in the street thanks to The
Millennium of Music and Dance Festival, a
colorful celebration held Saturday,
September 22, and produced by the African
Cultural Alliance of North America, Inc. (ACANA).
Leave it to ACANA’s dynamic leaders to use
music to bring cultures together for
singing, dancing, eating good food and
watching a variety of performers strut their
stuff on a stage –all at the corner of 55th
Street and Chester Avenue. It was the eighth
year of fun for those who attended the
Millennium of Music and Dance Festival. The
only difference was this year’s theme,
“Bridging the Cultural Gap.”
Headlining the event was a Camden-based
African American drum and dance group, the
Universal African Dance Ensemble, which
dazzled the crowd with its dancers, two on
stilts doing things some people can’t manage
using just their legs, and drummers dressed
in ethnic African outfits. Popular recording
artist Jodi, along with Kormassa Bobo, Big
Steve Worjloh, Gebah & Maudeline Swaray,
from Trinidad and Tobago Joanne “Tigress”
Rowley and from Haiti, the Haitian Youth and
Cultural for Progress, and other special
guests.
It was a fitting tribute to the community
from ACANA. Led by its founder Voffee
Jabateh, the organization provides
socio-cultural and economic services to
African immigrants in Philadelphia and the
out-lying areas.
Photos by AB Dolley
of Afro Music, Woodland Avenue
