New York State Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn M. Destito today announced the lineup for New York State’s 2018 Black Arts and Cultural Festival, which will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 4 at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. This year’s festival will feature performances by Grammy-winning artist Faith Evans and by special guest, the Powerhouse Funk Band.

 

“A celebration of history, art, and culture, as well as delicious food, free entertainment, and attractions that everyone can enjoy are the key components of our annual Black Arts and Cultural Festival,” Commissioner Destito said. “We’re very excited to have Faith Evans performing at this year’s festival, and I want to thank all our generous sponsors for helping us to bring an exciting lineup of music, art, dance, and activities to the Empire State Plaza for this cultural event.”

Performing soul music, R&B, neo soul, jazz, funk, and everything else in-between, the Powerhouse Funk Band is a captivating group that attributes its success to the way they play: soulful, intense, energetic, passionate, and powerful.

 

The festival will kick off at 2 p.m. with an opening parade on the Plaza that will feature the Wassa Pan Afrika Dance Ensemble and several local community groups. The parade will showcase the partnership of history and culture that is the core of the community.

 

The day’s lineup will also include performances on the main stage by The Jazzmanian Devils, a jazz band comprised of Albany High School students and recent alumni, gospel singer Monique Walker, and T-Rex, a hip-hop artist from Troy.

 

The festival will feature a gospel stage, located between Agency Buildings 2 and 3, Teen Scene with Her Temple Monologues and the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute, a kids zone with pony rides, face painting, arts and crafts, bounce rides, and a chess tournament hosted by Make the Right Move – Free Chess for Youth. There will also be an arts and heritage area, showcasing a replica of the Emancipation Proclamation and exhibits by the Albany Center Gallery and the Empire State Plaza Art Collection. Participation by community groups, such as Albany African American Clergy United for Empowerment, is an important part of the day’s activities.

 

One the biggest draws of the festival is the amazing food our vendors will be serving, including Jamaican and other Caribbean cuisine, chicken, fish, and ribs prepared by local churches, and desserts to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth.

 

Main Stage

2:00       Festival Welcome and Parade Celebration

2:10       Monique Walker

2:55       T-Rex

3:30       Jazzmanian Devils

4:15       Powerhouse Funk Band

6:00       Faith Evans

 

Free parking will be available in the East Garage off Madison Avenue. Paid parking is also available at the visitor or V lot underneath the plaza.

For event updates, follow @plazaevents on Twitter, @EmpireStatePlaza on Facebook, or call (518) 474-4759. For additional information about Summer at the Plaza events, including directions and ground rules, visit https://www.ogs.ny.gov/ESP/Summer.

No alcoholic beverages, coolers (defined as rigid insulated containers), or glass containers of any kind; no animals or pets, except for ADA-defined service animals, will be allowed.

Sponsors include Price Chopper and Market 32, New York’s 529 College Savings Program, SONYMA, Hot 99.1 FM, New York State of Health, MVP Health Care, Fidelis Care, and Renaissance Albany Hotel.