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Cultural Crossroads
by Cameron Stuart
Florida’s cultural diversity is showcased in festive celebrations that highlight the history and heritage of its peoples. Some cultural celebrations spotlight a pivotal event, important person or influential art form, but no matter the theme, these events strengthen pride among locals and inspire visitors to make an intimate connection to the Sunshine State.
ZORA! Festival
One of Central Florida’s most popular celebrations of African-American culture is the Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities, held the last week in January in the author’s hometown of Eatonville, just outside Orlando. Readers, writers and aspiring authors make the annual pilgrimage to the event that celebrates the Harlem Renaissance writer’s life and work. Hurston collected and interpreted southern rural African-American folklore and is best known for the novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God. The weeklong event is like a family reunion where you might bump into Maya Angelou, Alice Walker or Nikki Giovanni. There’s food, free concerts and a marketplace. 407-647-3307; www.zoranealehurstonfestival.com
Kuumba African/African-American Cultural Arts Festival
On Memorial Day weekend, families flock to Clanzel T. Brown Park in Jacksonville to witness artists expressing their creative talents in poetry, Afro-Caribbean music and dance. It’s where the Kwanzaa principle of creativity comes alive. The activities include informative workshops that feed the soul and rekindle the desire to build unity in the community through the creative arts. 904-353-2270; www.kuumbafestival.org
Florida African Dance Festival
Pulsating African drumbeats kick-start this June event in
Tallahassee that features choreographers, dancers and drummers from all parts of the continent – Guinea, Ivory Coast and the Congo. Performers who’ve dedicated their lives to preserving ancient African traditions exude endurance, creativity and skill. But don’t just watch the action from the sidelines. Learn how to share your family folktales during dance and drum classes. There’s also a health expo, natural hair demonstrations and other entertainment. 850-539-4087; www.fadf.org
Miami/Bahamas Goombay Festival
Put on your party shoes and head to the liveliest, most colorful festival in Florida. For a week in June, Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove is transformed into a Caribbean Carnival as residents proudly celebrate their Bahamian roots. Junkanoo Parade musicians in bright costumes delight crowds as they shimmy down the street, thumping tribal sounds from traditional instruments and goombay drums. Satisfy your appetite with Bahamian fare (remember, conch is king here). For bargain hunters, shop 400 booths featuring hand-made items. A word to the wise – get a good night’s sleep before you arrive as this is the granddaddy of all block parties. If you can’t get enough of Goombay in Miami, there’s a similar event in Key West in October. 305-790-0375; www.goombayfestivalcoconutgrove.com
Our Cultural Connections
The sights and sounds of Scotland, Germany and 80 other countries meld under one roof at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium for a weekend in October. Experience two fun-filled days packed with multi-cultural music, a sumptuous sampling of ethnic food and hands-on discovery zones for children. It’s an international event that creates
awareness about the contributions of Florida’s ever-changing population. Discover the wonders of the world in Southwest Florida. 941-362-7632; www.ourculturalconnections.org
Panama City Festival of Nations
Here’s an opportunity to tour the world without ever leaving the Sunshine State. The unique customs of Northwest Florida’s diverse communities are showcased at this November event, dubbed the “gateway to culture and heritage.” Dozens of countries are represented to celebrate the differences and the ties that bind the human race. Where else can you hear Scottish bagpipes and an oompah band belting out polka tunes, while snacking on spicy Thai treats or a German sausage? A crowd pleaser is the international bazaar. 850-785-2554; www.festivalofnations.com
Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival
This event, which comes to St. Petersburg’s Vinoy Park in June, honors the warm, effusive nature of the West Indian culture and people through music, dance, food and crafts. The two-day festival is a spectacular affair that features a parade of colorful costumes, mesmerizing steel drum music and lots of merrymaking. 727-327-1277; www.tampacarnival.com
Sistrunk Historical Festival
This festival is actually a yearlong series of events, including a concert, exhibits, parade and a fair commemorating the contributions of Dr. James Sistrunk, founder of the first hospital for blacks in Broward County. 954-419-1877; www.sistrunkfestival.org
Juneteenth
Freedom bells ring celebrating Juneteenth festivities throughout Florida. Events in cities including Sarasota, Bartow and Tampa commemorate slavery’s end. www.juneteenth.com
The Wells’ Built Museum Juneteenth Celebration and Statewide Chitlin Circuit Music Festival
In Orlando, Juneteenth coincides with a revival of African-American music and entertainment that once flourished along the “Chitlin’ Circuit” in the South back in the 1800s. (“Chitlin” refers to a popular menu item often served at these shows.) The festival features nationally known entertainers such as B.B. King, Bo Didley and Ruth Brown. 407-245-7535, www.pastinc.org
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