The 24th Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities (ZORA! Festival 2013), which runs from Jan. 26 to Feb. 3, in Eatonville, features “the strongest content” in recent years, organizers say.
The multi-day, multi-disciplinary event celebrates the life and work of 20th century writer, folklorist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, her hometown, Eatonville, the nation’s oldest incorporated African American municipality, and the cultural contributions people of African ancestry have made to the United States and the world.
The theme for the internationally recognized nine-day event is “Zora’s Eatonville: Culture as Conservator of the Community’s Heritage.” Activities include live concerts, educational seminars, heritage tours, the HATitude Brunch and an Outdoor Festival of the Arts.
One of the festival’s stronger content areas is education, which includes activities planned by such as organizations like the Orlando Science Center, the University of Central Florida’s College of Medicine and Florida Historical Society.
“We have some very, very strong partners bringing classroom activities that satisfy specific (Next Generation) Sunshine State Standards,” said N.Y. Nathiri, director of multidisciplinary for Preserve Eatonville Community, the nonprofit historic preservation group that organizes ZORA! Festival and whose mission is to enhance the resources of Eatonville, to educate the public about the town’s historic and cultural significance, and to use the community’s heritage and cultural vibrancy for its economic development.
A scheduled discussion titled “An International Perspective on Zora’s Eatonville: What Captivates Our Interests,” by visiting students Anton Panov and Anna Smirnova and their professor, Dr. Irina Morozova, from Russian State University for Humanities, in Moscow, demonstrates the global interest in Zora Neale Hurston and ZORA! Festival.
In addition to education and cultural heritage, healthy lifestyles are promoted at the event.
“The health of a community is essential for its preservation,” added N.Y. Nathiri “Once again, we have used this event to help address health concerns in Central Florida. This year, the Winter Park Health Foundation has helped us to install a Health Village at the ZORA! Festival. There will be free health screenings and interactive programming focused on nutrition and healthy lifestyles.”
That programming includes “Fabulous Foods Demonstrations” by Celebrity Chef Marvin Woods, who hosted “Home Plate” for four seasons on Turner South and appeared on NBC’s “Today Show” and TVOne’s “My Momma Throws Down.”
Attracting tens of thousands of locals and tourists to Orange County, ZORA! Festival, presents an impressive roster of arts, humanities and cultural programming including the transmedia art project “Question Bridge: Black Males,” at the Zora Neale Hurston Museum of Fine Arts, the screening of the independent film, “We Still Live Here – As Nutayunean,” written and produced by Native American Anne Makepeace, public talks, panel discussions, workshops and concerts.
It culminates with a three-day weekend Outdoor Festival of the Arts, featuring children’s activities, including the ZORA! Literacy Initiative; an African Diaspora Pavilion; Guest Artist-in-Residence Charles Bibbs; Center Stage featuring local, regional and international acts; an International Marketplace; food trucks and much more.
Admission to the Outdoor Festival of the Arts, Feb. 1-3, is free for ages 17 and younger. Adults will be able to enter the Outdoor Festival of the Arts with a cash donation.
ZORA! Festival 2013 was made possible through the support of many partners including Orange County Government Arts & Cultural Affairs Program, Florida Blue, the UCF College of Arts & Humanities and the Zora Neale Hurston Institute for Documentary Studies, TeKontrol, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, InGlur and Visit Orlando.
For additional information on ZORA! Festival 2013 events visit www.zorafestival.org or call 407-647-3307.
by Davidson Taylor
