SUDANESE MUSIC & DANCE FESTIVAL 2008 AND OTHER SUDANESE SUMMER EVENTS

Dear friends:

 

From May to July, those of you who are interested will have a chance to learn the realities of Sudan through speeches and music presented by our own Sudanese – both from the continent of Africa and across the Diaspora. Please see the summary of events below:

 

SUDANESE MUSIC & DANCE FESTIVAL 2008 AND OTHER SUDANESE SUMMER EVENTS

 

July 10, 2008, 6:30pm, at Chicago’s Millennium Park / Michigan & Randolph Streets, Chicago, IL.  For the first time ever, my home, the City of Chicago, will host the SUDANESE MUSIC & DANCE FESTIVAL 2008, featuring an incredible array of musical artistry from north, south, and western Sudan.  For more than 40 years, all what we have been seeing and hearing about Sudan is crying, suffering, and images of wars, but our beloved nation is home to many beautiful cultures, religions, and ethnic heritages, of which the outside world has never heard. In a gesture of peace and hope for a unified Sudan, and with the support of the Sudanese Community Association of Illinois and the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, Chicago’s Millennium Park will bring together the best roster of Sudanese musicians and artists of our time.  Of the 55 musicians performing on, performing artists include Al Balabil Sisters, Emmanuel Jan (TBC), Yousif El Mosely, Emmanuel Kembe, Abdel Gadir Salem, Omer Ihas, Abu Araki, Omar Bhanga, and Rasha – all performing with the Nile Music Orchestra of Sudan. Below are some of their online links you can listen to their music:

 

Al Balabil Sisters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sB_hisJHfs&feature=related

Emmanuel Jan: http://www.warchildmovie.com/

Emmanuel Kembe: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_Rq4r81CILg&mode=related&search

 

EXPERIENCES FROM HOME:

LOST BOYS AND AMERICAN FRIENDS

 

Saturday, May 31, 2008, 2:30 pm / The Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625.  After living in exile for over 20 years, several Lost Boys of Sudan returned to their home community in Southern Sudan to reunite with family and assess the community’s living conditions in order to initiate development projects in the area. Please join the Lost Boys and their supporters to learn about their experiences and how you can help the Ayual Community in Southern Sudan thrive during this new era of peace. Some of the speakers include Prof. Brandi Reissenweber , Peter Magai Bul, Deng Aler (IOWA), and Gabriel Awer Bul (VA).  Fore more information, access the link below:

 

General information: http://www.aycda.org/home.html

Africa Team Assessment Report: http://www.aycda.org/ACDA_Assessment_Report.pdf

 

Please open the attached flyer for information about the location and directions:   (to open, simply place your mouse on icon and double-click)

 

 RECEPTION WITH THE SUDANESE ARCHBISHOP

 

Friday, May 30, 2008, at 7:00 pm /The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 1100 East 55th Street, Chicago, IL 60615:  A host of the Sudanese Lost Boys and Americans from across the US will have a chance to receive an update on issues in Sudan from the Sudanese Archbishop, (visiting with his wife).  Many of the attendees are already scheduled to attend the 4^th Annual Conference of the American Friends of the Episcopal Church of Sudan.  The keynote speaker will be Sudan’s Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul of the Episcopal Church of Sudan. For more information, access the link below:

 

http://www.afrecs.org/Conf_2008.htm

 

Stay tuned!!

 

Peter Magai Bul

President, Ayual Community Development Association