Celebrating Culture and Community at St. Albert’s A Taste of Africa

Since 2020, A Taste of Africa has been taking St. Albert residents globetrotting without ever leaving the city limits.

Celebrating the rich diversity of cultures that span both Africa and the Caribbean, the one-day family friendly fest offers a ranging and celebratory mix of food, art, and history. This year—the festival’s seventh—includes Rwandan dance, poet Titilope Sonuga, and high energy soul band Timothy Noel and the RearViews, and more.

There’s also a yearly ‘armchair travel’ session, which highlights one country in particular. But organizer Helen Agbonison is keeping this year’s showcase destination a secret for now.

“That's something people look forward to,” she says with a laugh. “Where are we gonna be traveling to?”

There will also be a vendor market in the lobby, and, as always, the festival-favourite box of diverse food offerings for all who attend.

“When programming, I try to bring something unique from each different culture,” Agbonison explains. “Maybe their dance, maybe the stories around them—those are the different components that make up the Taste of Africa event. It’s a variety show of different stories … they're all very unique and different content from different artists, different storytellers, giving their own touch.”

It’s presented by the Africans & African Descendant Friendship Club of St. Albert, which Agbonison founded in 2019 to recognize and celebrate and recognize those communities’ contributions to the city’s cultural diversity. After all, 10 percent of Canada’s African-descendant population is located in Alberta, with some 800 people residing here in St. Albert—and sharing those stories enriches the city as a whole.

“We want people to embrace other cultures, embrace other people,” she says. “They might not look like you, but they're human beings with very unique assets. Very good people, and their cultures are beautiful. Embrace and learn about your culture. Learn something new about that culture in your community.”

Last year, former city councillor Ray Watkins traced his family’s journey to St. Albert back generations; this year will feature a similar moment of storytelling from a new voice. That sort of educational component is important to the event, Agbonison notes.

“A Taste of Africa has a unique opportunity to tell the stories of people of Africa and descendants: their successes, the struggles and things to open people's eyes.

“That's why Taste of Africa is very unique,” she continues. “It is not just all about the dressing, the dance and the food, but there's something to learn.”

A Taste of Africa happens from 4pm to 6pm on Saturday February 28 at the Arden. Tickets and more information are available at stalbert.ca/events/calendar/arden-theatre/taste-of-africa-celebrating-black-history-month-in-st-albert/

Article written by Paul Blinov

- 30 -