For Immediate Release PR Contact: Pat Kremer/Nancy O'Shea 312-665-7100 Field Museum Explores the Community and Culture of Africa Through African Heritage Festival CHICAGO- The Field Museum will present its annual African Heritage Festival beginning February 5 through February 26. This annual festival is part of the Museum’s mission to educate visitors about Africa and its people. Visitors will experience the wonderfully diverse cultures of Africa through art, dance, music, film and an exciting Carnaval Parade in the Museum’s magnificent Stanley Field Hall. Families will marvel at the graceful and rhythmic movements of the Alyo Dance Company and the Gingarte Capoeira Academy on Saturday, February 5 at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Learn about Capoeira, an African-Brazilian form of martial arts through combinations of fighting, dancing and singing with roots in African slave history of 19th century Brazil. The Alyo Dance Company will perform the rhythms of African-influenced Bomba—the music, song and dance of Latin America. The performances are free with Museum admission. Visitors also will join in the spirit of the African Heritage Festival through art. Artist Baba Kamau Foluké will help young and old create colorful masks and other special items to use in the Carnaval Parade on Saturday, February 5 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $15, $12 members. In addition, The Field Museum will feature a panel discussion and film on African spirituality. John Stewart, University of California – Davis and other noted scholars from various disciplines will discuss the evolution and transformation of African religious traditions throughout the globe, focusing particularly on its history in South America and Brazil. The cost to attend the panel discussion is $16, students/educators $14, members $12 (includes general Museum admission). The Museum also will present a film on African spirituality. Learn more about the widespread religion of Santeria and its African roots through a screening of The Orisha: The Gods in Exile, on Saturday, February 12 at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. See how this permutation of ancient African religions is living side by side with modern day cultures and is integrated into festivals like Carnaval. The screenings are free with Museum admission. Artist Baba Kamau Foluké will be back to the Museum on Saturday, February 26 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. for the finale of the African Heritage Festival. Families can create colorful masks. Cost is $15, $12 members. Visitors also can experience the excitement of Carnaval on Saturday, February 26 at 2 p.m. with stunning performances including African dance, AfriCaribe, Brazilian drumming, and a steel pan performance. The performances are free with Museum admission. The Field Museum is located at 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, on CTA bus lines #6, #12, and #146, and close to other routes and the Metra electric and South Shore lines. Heated, indoor parking is available at Soldier Field, steps from the Museum’s south entrance. Early bird rates for parking apply before 9:30 a.m. For further information, call (312) 922-9410 or visit www.fieldmuseum.org. <<Back to the Press Room