Africa Underground is an after-hours event held every few months at the NMAA. Each event celebrates a part of the African Diaspora. In February, the focus was Brazil; this month's focus was West Africa and the Caribbean.From a Smithsonian press release:
Coming on the heels of a successful first installment of Africa Underground in February, this edition will also see the museum’s doors held open after hours, giving revelers the chance to enjoy West African and Caribbean foods, refreshments and dance, and experience the museum’s exhibitions, ambiance and performances.The event is extremely popular, with February's event selling out in about four days. May's event was a success with 1,300 tickets sold! I didn't think the museum could even hold that many peeps (it's kinda tiny), but luckily the NMAA's lovely and expansive garden was open to party revelers, as well. I love garden parties!
This installment will include several exciting new elements such as music by DJ Spyda, who will spin Caribbean and West African beats from the museum’s Haupt Garden and from a designated perch in the thick of Africa Underground. The evening will also feature Farafina Kan, performing a traditional West Africa dance, Moko Jumbie Stilt Dancers, spoken word from Mistress of Ceremonies Love the poet, and new- and old-school reggae from Kurow and the All Stars.
A glimpse of the dancefloor, where reggae, soca, and dancehall jams played all night long
The Enid A. Haupt Garden, with the Smithsonian Castle in the background.The NMAA is directly to the right (out of frame) in this pic [source]
Rice and beans, curried goat and chicken, beef and veggie patties, and all sorts of other West African and Caribbean fare were on the menu. I would've snapped a pic of the offerings, but the bf and I scarfed ours down with the quickness after braving those long lines. Plus, so many people were admiring the food and drinks (our admittance tickets got us one free drink--Chardonnay for me, beer for my man) it was difficult to get a good view for picture taking. No worries though! Despite the slight crowding, it was so wonderful to see our diverse, beautiful, and brightly dressed fellow party-goers.
Lots of African print dresses (including my own), headwraps, and other garb floated around the event, the wearers looking something like exhibits come to life. It was very cool.
I tweeted this snapshot of my African inspired halter top maxi dressOf course, the museum's current exhibits--Artists in Dialogue and African Mosaic--were open to attendees. We posed in front of these cool-looking wood sculptures by Brazilian artist Henrique Oliveira:
This piece resembled an abstract Buddha coming out the wall
This massive piece took up half the exhibit space!It reminded me of those giant sand snakes from "Beetlejuice"
Pieces by South African-based artist Sandile Zulu were also on display:
Zulu made this piece through his signature fire-controlling technique.I'd love to observe his process in-person!
Inspired by a dialogue with Oliveira, Zulu also came up with some sculpturedwood pieces for his exhibit. This is his interpretation of the human spine
In the next exhibit hall was African Mosaic, a display of the variety of African art pieces that people have gifted to the museum or that were purchased for the museum itself. The event ended and guards started ushering people out right when we were in the middle of viewing it, but I was able to snap this before leaving:
You'll never believe what this piece is...
LOL. I know, I have the sense of humor of a 13-year-old boy 
Hoe money, hoe money, hoe!Right outside of the exhibits was the gift shop (natch), so we popped in for a little looksie. Such cool trinkets, books, and other souvenirs!
A lizard made out of Fanta soda cans. There were also recycled textile bagsand bowls made out of sturdy African cloth for sale
New addition to my wishlist!The Africa Underground event was so much fun. Everything, from the food to the visuals to the exhibits and performers themselves, added to the creative and engaging ambiance swirling around throughout the evening. I can't wait for September's event!
