Past Arts events hosted by AFMSP
Newly renovated event space
Left: One event of our series, A Celebration of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in March 2022. AFMSP presented its first concert in our renovated event space, hosting a family-friendly concert with local Congolese musician Siama Matuzungidi. This event was attended by 65 people of all ages.
Right: Threads Dance Project leads a post-show discussion following their performance of L’objet de désir inaccessible, in June 2022. This performance was inspired by a work at the Louvre Museum in Paris, and explored the complex relationship between conventional beauty ideals and racism. This event was attended by 30 community members- adults and teenagers.
Traditional and Contemporary arts in the gallery at our new center
Some of our first exhibitions are shown below. Since January 2022, AFMSP now shows one new exhibition of a local or international artist each month. Art openings typically welcome between 20-50 guests, and welcome more throughout the duration of the exhibition.
Local Cameroonian artist Jacques Elate Joss demonstrates his interactive installation in the AFMSP gallery. (Early March 2020)
Treasures of Memory and Hope, an exhibition of artifacts in memory of those lost in the Armenian genocide. (April 2021). France was the first country to first recognize the genocide and was one of the first to welcome Armenian refugees.
Jeanne Cherhal at the capri theater
In May 2022, AFMSP welcomed acclaimed French singer and pianist for her first-ever tour of the US. Cherhal performed Cinema at the Capri Theater. This program was co-written by Cherhal, in collaboration with Thierry Frémaux, director of the Cannes Film Festival, to celebrate some of the most iconic moments in cinema through song. This event was attended by 75 Minnesotans.
Breizh Fest in may 2022
AFMSP hosts its second annual Fest Noz, a traditional Breton (French Brittany) festival with music and dancing, inviting the only Breton band in the United States, Bagad New York, to perform at our event. This event was attended by 300 Minnesotans. Below, the lead the audience in a traditional dance from the region.
miloe at the cedar cultural center
In March 2022 AFMSP invited local rising-star group Miloe to perform at the Cedar Cultural Center. Following the show, band leader and songwriter Bobby Kabeya shared about his Congolese heritage, his Minnesotan childhood, and his musical inspirations, with discussion led by Salif Keita (KFAI) and Jay Gabler (formerly The Current). This event was attended by 200 people.
Recital with local pianist and vocalist jim reilly for French Holiday Fete des rois
Development Director, Anna Scallon, welcomed an audience of over 60 guests to the recital. The audience includes people of all ages and nationalities. (January 2020) Prior to the renovation of our event space, this event was hosted in our library.
AFMSP presents festinema, a youth film festival, at St Anthony Main theater
French language students from St Paul and Minneapolis attended the film festival, which includes a post-film discussion. Participating schools also receive classroom materials for leading discussions and larger projects in relation to the films. (Each February 2015-2020. This program will resume in 2022.)
AFMSP presents local haitian author and artist Djenane saint juste for a book release and theatrical dance performance, in english, french, and Créole
In response to the pandemic this children’s storytime was presented in an outdoor, distanced format (August 2020)
Bastille Day 2019, Free open to all in Landmark Plaza of St Paul
Attended by over 3,000 Minnesotans, AFMSP presented three bands, two dance groups, and an interactive drumming workshop. These local artists helped us to adapt our festival into a celebration of ALL French-speaking cultures.
AFMSP presents canadian-Senegalese Rapper Webster in Minnesota
AFMSP presents Webster in concert at the Cedar Cultural Center. As part of this program, he tours several Minneapolis Public Schools for mini-concerts, and cultural and writing workshops. (March 2018)
Celebration of Vietnam artist showcase
Above: Local artists and art lovers gather for a special reception of Vietnamese art at Dow Art Gallery in St Paul, organized by AFMSP. Below: Attendees to the Opening Night learn a traditional scarf dance (March 2018)
Celebration of Senegal (march 2017)
Art opening with Bamba Cissé (with canvas for audience), Senegalese Djembe workshop with Ghana M’baye, Pottery demonstration with local artist Adama Sow (March 2017)
