Kuumba Festival



30th Annual Kuumba Festival: Black 2 IF

Presented by San Diego REP and San Diego Urban Warriors Inc
 
Showing:      February 24 - 27, 2022
Where:          San Diego Repertory Theatre, The Lyceum Theatres


Welcome to Kuumba Festival

Kuumba (Swahili for “creativity”) Fest brings together community leaders, local performers and celebrities. This year, people of all ages are warmly invited to come together in-person or virtually.
 
From gospel to hip-hop and theater to dance, Kuumba Festival presents a wide showcase of arts that celebrate Black American culture in all its variety. This three-day festival includes educational workshops, hip-hop dance and speech competitions, performances of plays, Late Night Live (San Diego’s version of Late Night at the Apollo), and as always, a gospel concert finale. An African Market Place featuring arts and crafts by local vendors takes place at the Lyceum Theatres. 
 
Now in its 30th year, San Diego’s Kuumba Festival is the longest running celebration of Black art, culture and heritage west of the Mississippi. Celebrate with us this Feb 24 – 27.
 

Tickets

 
Tickets are available to individual events, a one-day pass or entire festival pass. Event descriptions are below.
 
Festival Pass
Includes all events Thurs 24 – Sun 27 Feb.
Price: $100
Buy now
 
Saturday Pass
Includes access to all events on Sat 26 Feb.
Price: $30
Buy now
 
Sunday Pass
Includes access to all events on Sun 27 Feb.
Price: $20
Buy now
 
Questions? Call the REP box office on 619.544.1000 and we will be happy to assist.
 

Explore the Kuumba Festival Events

 
Thursday, February 24th, 2022
4pm - Black Artist Reception and Party with a Point
“The BACD” and IF Solidarity is involved in establishing the BACD. Drum Call and Libations, Socializing, networking, music, food, drinks and presentation on Harlem of the West and the Douglas Hotel Creole Palace Connection.
Price: $45
Buy individual event | Buy festival pass
 
Friday, February 25th, 2022
5pm - Night of Positive Images
RED, BLACK & GREEN CARPET Video interviews and photos in front of the IF Step and Repeat artwork. AFRICAN MARKET PLACE Exotic experiential, educational activities, music, unique vendors, cultural foods, fashion, activities, panel discussions, workshops, African and Black art and cultural enrichment resources and information.
6pm - The Royal Court, Parade of the Ancestors and Play MZ T. 
7pm - Show the Resistence
Price: $25
Buy individual event | Buy festival pass

Saturday, February 26th, 2022
11am - African Culture, Drumming & Dance Workshop
Buy individual event | Buy festival pass | Buy Saturday pass  

1pm - The Step/Dance Showcase & Competition
Buy individual event | Buy festival pass | Buy Saturday pass  
 
4pm - The Youth Play “What IF”
Buy individual event | Buy festival pass | Buy Saturday pass  
 
6pm - Winner Takes All Spoken Word Poetry Competition
Buy individual event | Buy festival pass | Buy Saturday pass  
 
9pm - Late Night Live @ the Lyceum
Buy individual event | Buy festival pass | Buy Saturday pass

Sunday, February 27th, 2022
1pm - Panel Discussion - Media & Arts Role in continuing the call for Justice & Equity
Watch LIVE on Youtube or Facebook



2:15pm - Hot Gospel Play

Buy individual event | Buy festival pass | Buy Sunday pass  
 

6pm - Finale Gospel Concert
Buy individual event | Buy festival pass | Buy Sunday pass  
 

Health and Safety

Proof of vaccination/recent test and masks required for all events. More info can be found here: https://www.sdrep.org/what-to-know
 

More info

Meet the coordinators of Kuumba Festival

We welcome various types of vendors at the African Market Place. Find out more about becoming a vendor.

Read more about San Diego Urban Warriors Inc

 
 

About Kuumba Festival

San Diego has a rich and vibrant African American culture. In order to survive and prosper, the Black community has always used its creativity for motivation, collective work, encouraging responsibility and self-empowerment. Artistic exposure plays a vital role in the African American communities’ journey for expression, healing and self-determination.  San Diego Urban Warriors Inc. and the African American Advisory Council of the San Diego Repertory Theatre have utilized arts for over 28 years with ongoing edu-tainment, programs in behavior guidance, health education and cultural enrichment which incorporates prevention, intervention and ongoing creative support.
 
Each year, the City of San Diego is invited to embrace and celebrate San Diego’s diverse and provocative Black heritage and culture at the Kuumba Festival which is celebrated the last week of February. 
 
Kuumba Festival celebrates the positive lifestyle changes made over the year, provides cultural resources in the African Market Place, positive powerful healing images and spiritual celebrations for the entire family.

Since 1993, Kuumba Fest has been presented at the Lyceum Theatre by Urban Warriors and the African American Council for San Diego REP, in partnership with San Diego REP.
 
Meet the coordinators of Kuumba Festival
Read more about San Diego Urban Warriors Inc