Afropop Worldwide

Now in its 45th year, the International African Arts Festival is a consistent staple in the Brooklyn summer calendar. This annual edition, presented July 1-4, remains true to the organizers’ roots in their local community, with four days of music, dance and poetry at Commodore Barry Park, in the heart of Fort Greene. Musical highlights include Guadeloupean retro-zouk superstar Guilou, veteran jazz and jazz-funk saxophonist Gary Bartz, contemporary Haitian pop artist Emeline Michel and Ghanaian-American hiplife sensation Blitz the Ambassador. Performances from Kankouran West African Dance Company and renowned poet Sonia Sanchez round off a solid lineup that is sure to be bolstered by a variety of West African, Caribbean, Latin and soul food offerings. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $5 for adults and $2 for children. For more information, call (718) 638-6700, email info@iaafestival.org, or visit http://iaafestival.org/.