Lennar International African Marketplace Brings the African Diaspora to Bayview-Hunters Point

Business Wire,  August 13, 2007  

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SAN FRANCISCO -- The second annual International African Marketplace (IAM) will bring music, dance, food, art and crafts of the African Diaspora to the Bayview-Hunters Point district on three consecutive weekends in September. The IAM will run from 12 to 5 p.m. on September 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30 at the Bayview Opera House located at 4705 Third Street at Oakdale Avenue, easily accessible from the MUNI "T" line. Admission is free.

The IAM is a celebratory series of events and activities of cultural diversity representing the African Diaspora and its cultural influences worldwide. It serves as a venue for all cultures of the African Diaspora and as a rallying point for coordinating resources in the African-American business, social service and art communities. It further serves as a cultural destination for tourists and residents.

By presenting global goods and wares of the African Diaspora, local vendors will recreate a cultural destination venue within the Bayview-Hunters Point community that illuminates the range, depth and diversity of the African-American experience. This extraordinary event includes the finest world music, jazz and rhythm and blues performers, from Brasil Brasil to Pete Escovedo and Kotoja to the African Highlife Band. Children's activities include mask making, mural painting and T-shirt design, while adults can attend and learn African step, salsa dancing and hair braiding.

The IAM is part of Lennar's Community Benefits Program at the redevelopment of the Hunters Point Shipyard. A permanent location for the IAM at the Shipyard is currently under consideration.

"We are pleased to be a supporter of the IAM, which is creating a unique destination for local residents and people from across the Bay Area to learn about the history of the African Diaspora and the impact that it has had on the African American community," said Kofi Bonner, President of Lennar's Bay Area Urban Division.

For more information, please visit http://www.BVHPafricanmarketplace.org or call (888) 877-7763.

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