International African Arts Festival Kicks Off Saturday

It's a Brooklyn rite of summer, 41 years in the making.

The 2012 International African Arts Festival will begin Saturday at with a mix of dance, painting and lots of traditional African, R&B and pop music.

The theme of this year’s IAAF is Baadenyya—meaning brotherhood and sisterhood in the language used by ethnic groups across West Africa.

"Since its earliest years the IAAF organizers have chosen its theme from a traditional African culture and language to reflect on and remind our community of its linked roots and heritage," said Dr. Segun Shabaka, the Festival's secretary and executive committee member. "Baadenyya, meaning Sisterhood and Brotherhood, implies that we are from one mother, of the same family, ethnic group, people, thus, there must be caring for one another."

This year's lineup for the festival—which runs from Saturday, June 30 to Wed., July 4—includes Cita Rodriguez, Miriam Makeeba and an Urban Theater Group tribute to the late great singing divas Etta James and Whitney Houston.

Saturday's opening day activities will kick off at noon with a parade ending at Commodore Barry Park. Residents are encouraged to bring a blanket and folding chairs to the event.

The suggested donation is $3 for adults and $1 for children—money that organizers stressed was essential to keep the festival running year after year.

For a full listing of all of the week's events, visit the International African Festival's website.