African Marketplace & Cultural Affair

The African Marketplace & Cultural Affair is a three week-end event that began the weekend of August 16th, is currently happening this weekend, and will end the weekend of August 30 and 31st plus September 1, 2008. I wish I could cut and paste the information regarding the wide variety of different music from Nigeria, Fiji, Senegal, Ethiopia and more that will take place on seven stages. There is plenty to see, plenty to shop for, beautiful hand-crafted and hand-carved items, and plenty to eat.

I only made a pit stop on my way somewhere else but I wish I could have stayed to hear the music. I did purchase a couple of things and my eyes feasted on all of the wonderful items for sale.

Looking for something to do? Check it out!!

Location: Rancho Cienega Park at Rodeo Dr. just west of La Brea in Los Angeles, California.

Hosted by: African Marketplace, Inc..

CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

I started to do the lazy thing and stay home. I mean, it was cloudy, kind of chilly and it was a perfect day to stay home, stay inside and do nothing. But at the last minute I decided to go to the 7th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles.

I'm glad I decided to go. It only cost me gas and $5.00 for parking. I met a fellow blogger/crafter who gave me a lesson in a form of japanese fabric painting called shibori. Check out her blog and the clip below:



I saw Ernest Thomas who you might remember from the t.v. show What's Happening. He's producing a rather good looking man named Une (pronounced yoo-nay), who has a CD coming out in about a week (I think), and sang the national anthem:



I didn't stay for a long time so I didn't see any of the shows or entertainment that was planned outside of the opening ceremony and the martial arts demonstration. Still, I love the vendors and the wide variety of things to see, buy and eat. I hope you enjoy my pictures of my day at the festival.

Get out and see L.A. There so many cultures to experience and so many things to enjoy.