Stilt Walkers, Dancers, Puppetry, Exotic Birds, Food, Music Featured At Free Community Festival At The Griot 7/11

The Griot Museum of Black History (formerly known as The Blackworld History Museum) will host, “Carnaval in July,” a free multicultural, family-focused community festival with food, music, dance, arts and crafts on Saturday, July 11, noon-6 p.m. at The Griot. The festival will feature percussionist David A.N. Jackson; African dance by Mama Lisa of Fundisha Enterprises, roots fusion/neo soul by Mario Pascal; Mexican dance by Kids Mex; stilt walkers from the Nan Foule Mask Society, Glenn “Papa” Wright, Jr., puppetry and storytelling by Glenn “Papa” Wright; interactive exhibits from the Magic House, face painting, mask making, food, merchant and information booths. The World Bird Sanctuary will bring a variety of birds, some that represent the countries featured in the exhibit. The festival is free; Griot admission is $5 for adults, $4 for youth 13-17 and $2.50 for children 12 and under.

“Carnaval” is an exhibit that highlights celebrations in eight communities around the world where Carnival, the pre-Lenten celebration know to most Americans As “Mardi Gras,” is the high point of the year. It will be on display June 16-August 11 at The Griot, 2505 St. Louis Ave. Mary Strauss, an
owner of the Fabulous Fox Theater, is the exhibition’s general sponsor and the St. Louis American Newspaper is the media sponsor.

The exhibition has been made possible through NEH on the Road, a special initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities. It is brought to St. Louis by the Mid-America Arts Alliance, The Missouri Arts Council and The Regional Arts Commission. Community Partners include Mary Strauss, an owner of the Fabulous Fox Theater, The Saint Louis Art Museum, Grace Hill Neighborhood Services, Old North St. Louis Restoration Group, Community Renewal & Development, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Upsilon Omega Chapter, Pepsi Gateway, Sweetie’s To Go and The St. Louis American Newspaper.

For more information, call 314-241-7057 or visit the Griot’s website, thegriotmuseum.com.