2021 Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks at the Leimert Park Artwalk Kick-Off

The Mask Festival Season is almost here!

This year at Day of the Ancestors, experience Thiossane, the Senegalese way of taking cues from the past to live well in the present.

Join us to kick things off on April 18 at noon - Diaspora Dialogue with an event that will tap the artistry and wisdom of Africa, Senegal to be exact, as a source of knowledge to thrive right now.

This First Diaspora Dialogue will feature Artist Malik Sow and his son Magatte in conversation.

Malik Sow has had a long association with Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks as a sought after leader on the drum. Born in Dakar, Senegal into the Fulani tribe, Malik comes from a long line of musicians and griots. Born to be a drummer, he has performed across tribes and in major companies throughout West Africa before coming to America, along with teaching others, since 1960. One of his best students is his son Magatte, who also began performing at an early age - two to be exact. Now a Grammy winning artist for his work with Angelique Kidjo, he, like his father, has made a name for himself as a drummer. In addition to Ms. Kidjo, he has performed with an impressive roster of major recording artists including Stevie Wonder, John Legend and Baaba Maal. One of his most exciting gigs was on the soundtrack for the movie Black Panther. He has also performed at Day of the Ancestors. We can’t wait to see these two in conversation at our Diaspora Dialogue on April 18.

From now 'til June, Mask Festival Season will include a community workshop series, Diaspora Dialogues with a different focus each month and the culminating event, 2021 Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks at the Leimert Park Artwalk. The virtual culminating event will take place on June 27, 2021 at 1 pm. Don't forget to mark your calendars!

RSVP for the April 18th Diaspora Dialogue

For now, we invite you to take a look back at the amazing 10th Anniversary virtual edition.