Arts/ Music

As recorded by English colonist John Rolfe, the arrival of “20 and odd” African men and women in late August 1619, was a pivotal moment in the nation’s history. These Africans were stolen by English privateers from a Spanish slave ship and brought to Point Comfort on a ship called the White Lion. African Landing Day does not celebrate the circumstances surrounding the arrival of the first Africans to our shores. The commemoration serves as a marker in history that shines a light on the incredibly powerful 402 year journey, and offers some hope in the continued struggle to dismantle the systems of oppression created by the original sin.

Vermont First African Landing Day was established by the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance to educate the public about the arrival of Africans in the United States; to recognize and highlight the resilience and contributions of African-Americans since 1619; and, to acknowledge the impact that slavery and laws that enforced racial discrimination have on the United  States. It offers food, storytelling, dance, drumming, musical performances and more. Vermont First African Landing Day provides an opportunity for those who are interested to learn about the heritage, struggles and triumphs of the first Africans who were brought to the shores of what would become the United States.

Vermont First African Landing Day “2021”

This is a time for Vermont to join the global commemoration, to recognize and highlight the resilience and contributions of African-Americans since 1619 as we reflect upon one of the historical events that forever changed what would become the United States and the planet as we know it!

firstafricanlandingvt.wordpress.com

Ira Karp and Maria Schumann perform the timeless fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm as a Sideshow to Our Domestic Resurrection Circus and Pageant.

For more information: Jerome Lipani, Independent Artist <jeromelipani@gmail.com>. 

This meditation guides you to relax and to remove any interference using an image of a garden. Use your imagination to uproot and clear away any interference that remains in all levels of your bodies and your energy fields. Free yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Script & Music by Masa Kayoi (masa@delightinlifevt.com)

The Ramble is a free, annual event, celebrating the creativity and community of Burlington’s Old North End, held on the last Saturday in July.

The Ramble is a grassroots arts festival celebrating the unequivocally creative culture of The Old North End community, where the most racially and economically diverse population of Vermont densely resides with the highest concentration of Burlington’s working artists.