Links below will open new windows.
SEATTLE — Spirit of Africa, part of the Seattle Center Festál series, returns on Saturday, May 10, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Armory Food & Event Hall at Seattle Center. This free, family-friendly event celebrates African cultures, music, dance, art, and community, with this year’s theme: “Unity Through the African Lenses.”
The event explores Africa’s vast cultural landscape as a unifying force, inviting festivalgoers to see the world through an African worldview. Showcasing curated performances, vibrant cultural exhibitions, community dialogues, and interactive activities, the festival seeks to deepen appreciation for Africa’s role in shaping global identity, connection, and resilience.
Performance Highlights:
Yao Amponsah (Anokye) highlights the intricate drumming and dance traditions of the Ashanti people of Ghana, reflecting the beauty and diversity of West African music.
Franco Attk (Rimnongdo Francis Ramde), from Burkina Faso, brings heartfelt lyrics and soulful melodies from his debut album “Eldorado,” weaving themes of love, hope, and heritage.
Thione Diop, renowned Senegalese percussionist and a descendant of a Griot drumming family, returns with his mastery of the djembe and traditional percussion, igniting energy through his dynamic and powerful performances.
Arsalan Ibrahim brings the oral traditions of his Songhai and Mende heritage to life through storytelling and music, connecting audiences to West Africa’s legacy of resilience and wisdom.
Kwetu Band delivers an electrifying fusion of African music with modern genres, creating a sound that’s both rooted and revolutionary.
Zambuko Marimba Ensemble (under the direction of Sheree Seretse) is back by popular demand! Uniting people of African descent to the roots of African Marimba for over 20 years, their irresistible
rhythms from Zimbabwe celebrate the spirit and soul of the “Land of Great Warriors.”
Tamy Moyo is gracing the stage in Seattle! Straight from Zimbabwe and one of Africa’s brightest stars, this award-winning singer-songwriter, producer, and powerhouse performer will take you on a journey through sound and soul with music that blends soul, R&B, folk, pop, jazz, rock, and oriental influences—creating an ethereal, heartfelt, and organic universe you won’t want to miss.
“The Spirit of Africa Festival is more than just an event — it’s a cultural homecoming for many and a powerful entry point for others,” said Gora Diop, Festival Producer. “This year, we invite everyone to experience unity through Africa’s many lenses — through its music, stories, and people.”
About Spirit of Africa
Spirit of Africa, founded by Thione Diop, originated as the Spirit of West Africa Festival and has since grown into a vibrant, pan-African celebration made possible through the dedication of a diverse committee, community volunteers, and the generous support of sponsors and partners, including local businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies. Their shared commitment ensures a meaningful and immersive experience for all who attend.
This festival is part of the Festál series of 25 cultural festivals presented by community groups and hosted by Seattle Center throughout the year.
About Seattle Center Festál
Seattle Center Festál is a unique public program series of 25 free cultural festivals, each offering its own celebration of heritage and identity. These events provide a range of engaging programs and activities to cultivate a deeper understanding of the diversity of our region. Seattle Center Festál is produced in partnership with community groups, presented on weekends from January to November and supported by City of Seattle, Seattle Center Foundation, and 4Culture.
About Seattle Center
Connect to the extraordinary at Seattle Center, an active civic, arts, and family gathering place in the core of our city and region. Seattle Center’s 74-acre campus, centered around the International Fountain, is part of the Uptown Arts & Cultural District and home to Climate Pledge Arena; more than 30 cultural, educational, sports, and entertainment organizations; and a broad range of public and community programs. In everything it does, Seattle Center’s mission is to create exceptional events, experiences, and environments which delight and inspire the human spirit to build stronger communities.
Seattle Center has expanded its role to provide maintenance and public safety services for Seattle’s new Waterfront Park, a series of new public spaces on Seattle’s downtown waterfront between Pioneer Square and the Seattle Aquarium. Seattle Center supports managing these new waterfront public spaces in partnership with the non-profit Friends of Waterfront Seattle, which offers the community a range of recreational and cultural programming.
Thanks to the support of Official Seattle Center Partners – Alaska Airlines, The Climate Pledge, Coors Light, Pepsi, Premera, Symetra, T-Mobile, and WaFd Bank – Seattle Center is the #1 arts and entertainment destination in the Pacific Northwest with 12 million annual visitors, generating $1.864 billion in business activity and more than $631 million in labor income annually. www.seattlecenter.com
