feature: ‘festival of stories” – the matatu festival is back in oakland this week (september 23-26)

The Matatu Festival is back! Taking place this week from September 23-26, the Oakland based festival is set to be even bigger than last year. The Matatu team state: “Re-centered as the Matatu Festival of Stories, the multidisciplinary festival works to amplify the spectacular walk of ordinary people by way of film, music and performance. Saul Williams will host a dinner party reading from his new book, ‘US(a.)’, while Afro-Vegan Chef/Author Bryant Terry DJ’s the family style dinner. ‘Necktie Youth’ is featured as the opening night film, only its second U.S. screening since premiering at TriBeCa Film Festival earlier in the year, followed by Saul Williams’ opening night performance. The Matatu journey continues throughout the week, with the new Ethio Sci Fi thriller Crumbs, Fashion House Marga Weimans, a woman of color’s perspective of working in high fashion, and the North American premier of Black President, Mpumelelo Mcata’s new film produced in South Africa on the subject of Black Guilt. Matatu is not complete without performances by Mark de Clive-Lowe and Shafiq Husayn, of Sa-Ra Creative Partners, and the festival’s closing night performance by the Alonzo King LINES Ballet dancers, among other highlights.” CLICK HERE for more information and see images of some of this year’s featured artists/works below.

By Alexander Aplerku, AFROPUNK Contributor

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