10 reasons to check out the National Black Arts Festival

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It’s National Black Arts Festival time again. Recession blues makes this year's event a shorter festival, but it's still action-packed. Music, dance, visual art, literature, film, theatre, food—if it’s artistic, NBAF has it going on.  Here is a short-list to help you navigate the festival, which kicks off July 29 and ends Aug. 2. Many of the events are conveniently taking place at the Woodruff Arts Center. To get a full schedule, just visit www.nbaf.org.

1. Ain’t no party like a NBAF party at the Woodruff: From July 31-August 2, NBAF is turning the Woodruff out with the NBAF Main Stage at the Woodruff Arts Center. On July 31, DJ Salah, Julie Dexter, Gritz n’Jelly and Soul Kitchen with Vinx are among the party starters. Dancers from Ghana, Pepito Gomez and Mausiki Scales keep the world party going Saturday, Aug. 1. While Sunday, Aug. 2 is mainly gospel wind-down time, jazz trumpeter extraordinaire Russell Gunn kicks it back up for the evening. And the best part is, it’s all F-R-E-E!

2. The Pan African Film Festival at NBAF: Back at the Woodruff for another go-round, you can see all the films, many from Africa, and attend special programs, like the opening night retrospective with Robert Townsend, from July 29 through Aug. 2 with an all-access pass for $150. If that’s too rich for your blood, check into films such as "Skin" (from South Africa and starring Sophie Okonedo), "Icons Among Us: Jazz in the Present Tense," "Number One with A Bullet" (rappers talk about violence in urban America) and the acclaimed "Jerusalema" (from South Africa) for $8 a flick.

3. Eye-candy of a finer nature: The visual arts are an integral part of NBAF and the goodies this year include the exhibition "Mercy, Patience & Destiny: The Women of Whitfield Lovell’s Tableaux" at the Woodruff, new installations from Jennie C. Jones and Charles Huntley Nelson at the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, "Ron Adams: Master Printmaker" at the Rialto Center for the Arts and new works by Charly Palmer and from the estate of Benny Andrews for the group show at Mason Murer Fine Art. Conversations with Whitfield Lovell and Atlanta artist about town Fehamu Pecou only help complete the journey.

4. A literary day trip: Spend the afternoon and evening of Friday, July 31 getting your literary jones on at the Woodruff for free. Political commentator Farai Chideya always calls them as she sees them while pop culture jack-of-all-trades Nelson George shares his latest work "City Kid," which touches upon his many colorful experiences, including his creative relationship with Chris Rock and the inspiration behind his acclaimed HBO film "Life Support." Keep in mind that these two events aren’t the only literary gems worthy of an appointment.

5. Act it out: The festival is always a great time to catch some of Atlanta’s finest theatrical productions. This year the Jasmine Guy-directed "For colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf," "A Cool Drink A Water" (a twist on A Raisin in the Sun), "Blood Knot: A Play in Seven Scenes" (starring Kenny Leon) and" Jim Crow and the Rhythm Darlings" (about a mostly African-American, all-female band touring the South during World War II) are among the NBAF-endorsed productions.

6. Music makes me high: There’s no NBAF without music and this year is very special. It’s the “Legends Celebration: To Sing the Truth: A Tribute to Nina Simone” that’s the showstopper. Lizz Wright, Joi Gilliam, the incomparable Dianne Reeves and Simone, Nina Simone’s daughter, lift their voices in tribute at Symphony Hall at the Woodruff on July 31 from 8 to 10 p.m.

7. Music, music, music: Also at Symphony Hall is the Atlanta Men’s Gay Chorus. Aided by Donzaleigh Abernathy, the group celebrates the music of jazz composer Billy Strayhorn, known for such Duke Ellington standards as "Take the A Train" and "Lush Life," on Aug. 1 at 8 p.m.

8. More than a plate full: There’s so much on the plate—literally. The Publix Healthy Cooking Pavilion at Woodruff Arts Center heats up July 31 and Aug. 1 from noon to 8 p.m. and from noon to 6 p.m. on Aug. 2.

9. To give something back: For the philanthropic, there’s the big NBAF fundraising event “A Midsummer’s Gala: Brazilian Cool” at AmericasMart overlooking Centennial Park on Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. Individual tickets are $300.

10. Even more special events: During the festival, Morehouse College hosts the First Annual Atlanta African Dance and Drum Festival from July 31-Aug. 2, while Les Brown inspires you to greatness Aug. 1 at 4:15 p.m. at the Woodruff.