News from New York State Office of General Services

For more information contact: Brad Maione, 518-474-5987

OGS and Community Partners to Celebrate African American Culture at the Empire State Plaza

ALBANY, NY (08/02/2007; 1159)(readMedia)-- Office of General Services Commissioner John C. Egan announced that the 2007 Times Union African American Family Day will take place on Saturday, August 4th from noon - 7 p.m. The event serves as the State Capital’s commemoration of African American culture. The Family Day is a collaborative effort between OGS, more than 60 Capital Region community partners, and corporate sponsors.

“This event will truly be a day of family and will provide our community the opportunity to come together to celebrate the richness of African American culture,” said OGS Commissioner Egan. “The community spirit of this day reflects our commitment to bring people together in a peaceful way to celebrate.”

Designed to celebrate the traditions and contributions of African Americans through music, art, and community, there will be entertainment and activities for all ages throughout the day. The common threads running through the day are the Five Community Principles -- family, love, peace, respect and unity.

African American Family Day features a new picnic area where families can gather to enjoy the day, four entertainment stages, a kids’ play zone with ethnic storytelling, African arts and crafts area and a Wellness Fair. The event will close at 7 p.m. with a family parade. Marchers will assemble on Madison Avenue near the Concourse entrance and will proceed to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument near Morton Avenue in a show of unity where a wreath will be dedicated in his honor.

The entertainment stages will feature professional national and local performers as well as local youth and community groups who will showcase their talents through gospel, hip-hop or spoken word. At the Main, Gospel, Youth and Young Adult stages there will be entertainment for all ages, including Grammy Gospel award winner Tremaine Hawkins; Russell Thompkins, Jr. and the Stylistics; also performing will be Paris Bennett, also known as Princess P, an American Idol finalist. It is expected that more than 15,000 people will attend the event throughout the day.

Sure to be a highlight of the day will the “Community Moments” where Community Partners will appear on the various stages to promote the five principles of the event; and a “Youth Speak Out” where young people can express their thoughts on current topics that affect them.

Tours of the State Capitol will be offered at 11 a.m., Noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tours begin at the Plaza Visitor Center on the North Concourse. The New York State Museum will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will host a special display featuring a replica of a preliminary version of Emancipation Proclamation.

The observation deck of the Corning Tower will also be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors to the tower over the age of 16 must provide photo ID and obtain a visitor pass at the security station in the Concourse Lobby. Those visitors 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Main Stage Performers

Noon Tropical Beats, Steel Drum Band

1:15 pm Anthony David

2:30 pm Paris Bennett

3:45 pm NY Harlem Gospel Singers

4:30 pm Tramaine Hawkins

5:45 pm The Stylistics

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