Over the pasttwo-yearsholidaysabroadhave turned into ‘staycations’andthe chance to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds ofanoverseasculturerequirespotential travelers to pass a gauntlet of ever-changing regulations.However,this February HelenAgbonison,founder andPresident ofAfricans and African Descendant FriendshipClub of St. Albert,promises youwon’thave to go far to learn about manyof thecultures contained in the continent of Africa, thanks to the returnoftheir multidisciplinary arts event,Taste of Africa. 

“This event would be an opportunity for you to travel to Africa from St.Albert,” saysAgbonison.“Because with COVIDand things that have been happening, everybody is indoors.They'venot really traveled, but,just within St. Albert, you couldactually experienceAfrica.” 

Hosted at the ArdenTheatre, the variety show will feature dance, drumming, storytelling, poetry and more.Traditional dress will be featured in a fashion show and after the performanceswrap, audience members will be treated to a literal taste of Africa, withsamplings of traditional food packaged in to-go boxes. 

Those who have attendedpreviousevents can be assured thatthey’llbe introduced to the dance and storiesofdifferent countries than have been featured in the past. 

“The style ofTaste of Africais we make it a high and a low, a high and a low—that's how we always engage people,” saysAgbonison, explaining that the high-energy excitement of, for example, the drum performances, will be interspersed around the more thought-provoking aspects, like poetry. 

Newthis year,the youngest members of the AfricanFriendshipCluewill be takingcenterstage in avarietyof roles. 

“Our children are going to be dancing and the storytelling will be children from our community telling the stories that they have been told, like folk tales—stories from home,” saysAgbonison. “In the past, we used to have professional storytellers telling us their stories that they have created. But this time it willbe native stories that have been passed down.” 

Passing down stories and traditions is a key component of Agbonison’s motivation in establishing the African Friendship Club in the first place. Recognizing that St. Albert is now what she cheerfully calls her ‘forever home,’ she set about looking for ways to preserve her heritage in a manner that would expand beyond just teaching her children. 

“When you teach a larger number of people or talk to it, it helps to preserve [our heritage] in the community,” she explains. “Sothat is how I thought about creating the Africans and AfricanDescendantFriendshipClub. When we come together, weare able tocreate something more lasting and make our kids proud of this culture, becausethey'reall Canadians now, right?They will end up not knowing these things and they will not know about other people. 

“When we come together, weare able tocreate something—each person is able to bring their food and tell the other Africansthat,‘oh, this is what we eat, this is how we eat it, and this is how we dress.’So as much as we are teaching ourselves,we'reteachingour children and preserving that information in our community.” 

For the entire community of St. Albert, Taste of Africa is an electrifying and eclectic opportunity to learn and share in the cultural traditions of our neighbours.  

“There's fun in trying new things,” says Agbonison. “The more you try, the betteryou’llunderstand. If youdon'ttry, you will never know.” 

For tickets, please visit the Arden Theatre’s website. 

For more information about theAfricans and African Descendant FriendshipClub of St. Albert, please visit their website.

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