Staff reports; photos by Paul Howey

It’s been 30 years since the first Goombay festival was held in Asheville in 1982, and on August 24, 25, and 26, the YMI Cultural Center will host the 31st annual Goombay! Festival on The Block at the corner of Eagle and Market Streets in downtown Asheville. The festival is presented by the YMI in conjunction with Powerhaus Productions, the City of Asheville, and Asheville City Schools.

Asheville’s Goombay! started when a number of concerned African American women of the community formed an organization named “Friends of the YMI.” The YMI had fallen into disrepair in the 1970s, and the group was determined to restore and reopen the building to its former glory and importance as the center of the city’s traditional African American community.

Money was tight, so the Friends started meeting to raise funds for programming and restoration. Several of the women had attended a sorority boulé in Miami, Florida, where they visited the African-Caribbean ethnic and cultural Goombay festival being held in the area. The group liked the experience, and despite many challenges, they raised some money, recruited help to clean up The Block, and brought Goombay to Asheville.

Goombay originated as a celebration during which Caribbean slaves were given one day off during the year when they were free to celebrate the traditions of their African cultural heritage. The festivities joined African drums, dance, and culture with the Caribbean experience, creating a truly Afro-Caribbean festival of reggae, soul, cultural arts, crafts, and cuisine.

Goombay Schedule of Activities

Umojah Enrichment Center – This central space will be focused on community enrichment, where local non-profits and youth program providers will highlight their work in the community and offer interactive activities.

Friday Night, August 24

Setting-up Block Party and Indoor Dance Competition.

6 p.m.-9 p.m. Join the Goombay crew for food, music, volunteer orientation, and site set-up. DJ Supra Cee from WRES will lay down the sounds while volunteers and organizers work together to make The Block ready for Goombay 2012. Meanwhile, inside the YMI Auditorium, Bruce Waller will host an all-ages Dance Competition.

Saturday, August 25

11:10 a.m.-12 p.m. The traditional parade from Ashland Ave. at Patton Ave. will march, dance, and revel down into the center of town, crossing Biltmore Ave. and into Pack Square Park. The parade will feature Nadirah Rahman and her West African Dance troupe, Urban Arts Institute’s Eternity, the Kenyan Safari Acrobats, drummers, puppeteers, and many more surprises. The parade will wend its way into the center of Eagle/Market Streets and culminate in the Opening Ceremonies at the Main Stage.

12 noon to 10 p.m. West African Dance, drumming by Adama Dembele, Urban Arts Institute’s Eternity.

Main Stage – Solstar, Maf Maddix, Lyric, Ruby Mayfield, Crucial Fiya, Nadirah Rahman, Common Ground Collective.

Youth Enrichment Stage – Youth at Jazz, EHS Reggaeton, Kenyan Safari Acrobat Storytellers.

Roots Alley – Various DJs and chill-out zone in the parking lot between Mr. Frogs Soul Food and the DelCardo building.

YMI Auditorium – Workshops, documentaries, and other performances.

Goombay After Party

Saturday, August 25, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. For those who just can’t get enough! Solace Lower Level on Haywood Rd. will host D-Millz, Datrian Jonson, Maf Maddix, and Panther God. This is a ticketed event; cost is $10 before midnight and $15 after.

Sunday, August 26

11 a.m.-12 p.m. In the tradition of Goombay!, we will start the day off with a church service followed by a youth choir performance.

11 a.m.-9 p.m. Festival hours are extended on Sunday night.

Main Stage – Datrian Jonson, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, The Beasts, Leisha J, Kevin Spears, Durtysol, Lutan Fyah (international reggae star).

Youth Enrichment Stage –Various youth performances including Urban Arts Institute, and Dance and drumming workshop performances.

Roots Alley – Various DJ’s and chill-out zone in the parking lot between Mr. Frogs Soul Food and the DelCardo building.

YMI Auditorium – Workshops, documentaries, and other performances.

9 p.m.-1 a.m. The Orange Peel will host the Goombay Showcase. Featuring performances by Kevin Spears, Urban Arts Institute’s Eternity, Zansa, and Grammy-winning band Arrested Development. This is a ticketed event to raise funds for Goombay. Tickets are available at theorangepeel.net; $22 pre-sale and $25 at the door.

Grab the handy Goombay! Entertainment Schedule here!