By Oral Ofori


On August 8-9, the Washington DC area will experience one of its most prolific African cultural events — 'FestAfrica' — at the Veterans Plaza on 1 Veterans Place in Silver Spring Maryland located on the Corner of Fenton street and Ellsworth Drive in the 20906 zip code.


FestAfrica will this year be in its 13th season. The August weekend celebrations and activities will begin from 1PM through 8PM and will be free to the public. The event which is hosted by the Afropolitan Youth Association of Maryland (AYA) has over the years evolved into the largest African Festivals in the Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia areas (DMV).


FestAfrica draws a crowd of over 8,000 people annually, most of who are coming from both within the DMV and beyond. This year's event is expected to pull a larger crowd owing to the artistes billed to perform and activities that are expected to engage participants and attendants in all forms of African cultural activities like: dance performances, African cuisine, vendors, games for children, health fair, career fair, tourism fair and a lot more.


Artistes in attendance will include Samini: an award winning internationally recognized Reggae and Dancehall musician from Ghana, Atemi (Kenyan Afro-soul sensation), Tosin and the African Rhapsody (Nigerian Afrobeat-Highlife Neo-soul and jazz singer), Kinobi (Ugandan global fusion artist), Jaja Bashengezi (Congolese multi-instrumentalist composer and singer-songwriter).


Some other performers are Deborah Bond; an African American progressive soul and r&b artist and Cheza! Afrochique; a multinational dance experience troupe from Namibia and South Africa will also be in attendance among a whole host of other exciting and entertaining appearances.


According to Akua G. Asare, a member of AYA and one of the organizers, "FestAfrica brings a savory taste of some of the diversity, beauty, dynamism and awesomeness of Africa to both the children of Africa here in the states and those who appreciate the continent."


FestAfrica is sponsored by artners like Delta Airlines, Maryland State Arts Council, Western Union, Montgomery County of Maryland, Maryland Lottery and State Farm Insurance.


If you want to have an amazing encounter in the Diaspora with Africa, African cultures and a wonderful opportunity to network, meet people and make lifelong memories, then FestAfrica is the place to be.


Organizers of the event ask the public to donate to their GoFundMe (http://www.gofundme.com/festafrica2015) campaign, and not to forget to bring their own lawn chair(s) or simply join the teeming energetic crowd in standing to enjoy the two day celebrations.