Celebration Of African Culture Takes Over South Street Today
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The 37th Annual Odunde Festival is today. It's the culmination of a 10-day celebration of African culture.
"Get a fill of Africa, get a taste of Africa."
Odunde, Inc. CEO Oshunbumi Fernandez says the festival is all about culture and this year's focus was Bahia, Brazil. Organizers have brought together 120 arts and crafts and food vendors. And you can't forget about the entertainment.
"We have Marsha Ambrosius, she's going to be hitting South Street Stage at 7 p.m. She's our headliner. We have the Universal African Dance Ensemble, we have Kulu Mele, we have the African Heritage Dancers coming out of DC. We have the Odessey Band."
Fernandez says 2012 Odunde was expanded from three to 10 days to include a discussion from Brazil's Ambassador to the US, a health fair, happy hours and a community Zumba class on the steps of the Art Museum.
"Odunde is more than just a festival and we want people to know that."
Odunde takes place at 23rd and South Street and runs for 12 city blocks.
Fernandez says hundreds of thousands are expected to attend the celebration, which goes until 8 p.m. For more info, go to OdundeFestival.org.
