The 33rd Annual Kwanzaa Gwaride will begin its processional Dec. 26, noon, from the intersection of Adams and Crenshaw boulevards in Los Angeles. The parade will travel south to Leimert Park at 43rd Place to open the 44th Year of the Kwanzaa Era: The Year of Kujichagulia (Self Determination). The role of Oba (King) of the parade this year will be posthumously given to the late Tommy Jacquette, a founder of the Watts Summer Festival. The role of Iyaba (Queen) of this year's gwaride will be jointly shared by Regina Kimbell, filmmaker and producer of the award-winning film, "My Nappy Roots," and Denise Estelle, producer of the Wooli Me Natural Hair Expo.
A Kwanzaa candle-lighting ceremony for Umoja (Unity) will be held Dec. 26, 6:30 p.m., at Exposition Park's California African American Museum, 700 State Drive, Los Angeles. This annual ceremony will include poetry, music and wishes for the New Year to mark the beginning of Kwanzaa. Attendees are asked to bring warm, clean or new clothing, coats and blankets for those in need to celebrate this season of harvesting and sharing the good. This event is sponsored by the African American Cultural Center, KRST Unity Center of Afrakan Spiritual Science, the Kwanzaa Heritage Festival and several others.
Shades of Afrika will hold its seventh annual Kwanzaa celebration Dec. 26, 5 to 9 p.m., at Recreation Park Social Hall, 4900 E. 7th St., Long Beach. There will be a Karamu (community feast), drummers, dancers, arts and crafts, storytelling and more. Tickets for this event are $12 for adults and $5 for children, and the proceeds will benefit Starting Over Inc., a transitional housing provider for men, women and children.
"Be Healthy, Be Smart, Be Strong" is the theme of the eighth annual Kwanzaa Heritage Festival, Block Parade and Candle Lighting Ceremony that will be held Dec. 26 to 27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in the parking lot of Leimert Park's Vision Theatre, 4330 Degnan Blvd., Los Angeles. There will be live music, drum circles, an international food court, a health pavilion, a children's village with a petting zoo and more.
19th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
The Lula Washington Dance Theatre will hold its 19th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration Dec. 29 to 30, 7:30 p.m., at 3773 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles. Rapper and poet "YoYo" will join the Lula Washington Youth Dance Ensemble in its "Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture." Proceeds from the evening will benefit the dance company's ongoing programs including its dance school, dance company, youth scholarships and local performances.
"An Evening in Africa" is the theme of the annual Kwanzaa Community Feast. This event will be held Dec. 31, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Friendship Auditorium, 3201 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles. There will be a libation, dance, drumming, stories, poetry, African foods and special cultural presentations from Maulana Karenga, Asha's Baba and others. This event is sponsored by the African American Cultural Center. Tickets are required to attend and no tickets will be sold at the door.
