WELCOME TO THE
 Amani Festival Web Page!

This Web Page is under construction.  We’ve assembled a wonderful group of volunteers who are already at work preparing to bring to the Carlisle community in 2010 an outstanding Festival inaugurating a new future for Amani!  We will update the Web Site as plans develop and you will find new information soon available in the links, including a new history of the Festival as prepared by Eliseo “Doc” Rosario.  You’ll also find a link listing the personnel currently involved in Festival planning, the new Leadership Team which will guide Amani into the future.  Until the revision is completed, please direct questions via e-mail to amanicarlisle@yahoo.com or by telephone to 717-258-4184.

THE AMANI FESTIVAL 

...working toward the elimination of racial, ethnic, and other discrimination and prejudice by fostering respect and appreciation among all peoples.

The Amani Festival is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring people from various cultures together and provide a forum for enjoying, sharing and learning more about each other’s culture.   The Amani Festival has grown from a mere idea to a much-anticipated annual event in Central Pennsylvania and, more and more, far beyond our state's borders.  This was achieved by a grass roots effort of community members who wanted to make a difference. What started out as a one day celebration of peace has grown into a year long effort to promote acceptance among cultures.   Though we have made great strides in furthering the cause of civic unity, there is much more to be done.  We hope you will support us in the coming decades and beyond as we work to make this community a better place for each and every one of us.

         AMANI COMPONENTS 

International Stage Entertainment - The main stage features performers of varied ethnic flavors including Klezmer, Mexican, Reggae, Salsa, African, Celtic and more.  The festival’s opening ceremony and poetry contest are held at this stage. 

Children’s Alley - Children of all ages are invited to explore and learn more about different cultures through arts and crafts and special theater and musical performances.  Past Children’s Alley programs featured a “Passport” which allowed each child to "travel" to different countries around the world and learn about the people and culture in other parts of the globe. 

Poetry Contest Winners - The annual Amani poetry contest is open to school age children at all grade levels.  Each year students write on a different theme, which is created by the Festival's organizers.  Winning poems are  read on the main stage by their authors.  Several hundred poems are received each year and the competition showcases our very talented young local writers. 

Poetry Reading - For several years, the Amani Poetry Reading has been a part of the festival. Local poets, sponsored by Carlisle Poets' Workshop, present their own poems, or poetry by others, in a salute to the occasion.  The program includes music.

Community Service Tent - Non-profit organizations from around Central Pennsylvania are invited to share information about their organizations with the community.  There is no charge for any group to participate.  The Amani Festival supplies the tables, chairs and electricity, if needed.  Past participants include The Carlisle Regional Medical Center, PA State Police, Sickle Cell of Central PA and Domestic Violence. 

Vendors - Art and Craft and Food vendors fill the streets with clothing, crafts, books, music and foods from many lands - Thai, Native American, Greek, German, African-American and Caribbean to name but a few.  Festival goers have an opportunity to sample delicious foods from other cultures, and soon develop an appreciation for new tastes and experiences. 

TAM (Teenage Arts and Music Festival) - The TAM area is dedicated  to providing our youth with activities that will capture their interest and give them a forum for their talents.  On the TAM stage, musical performers entertain their audience with alternative rock, rap, gospel, folk and more throughout the day.   In the past TAM has displayed art and poetry created by young artists, and one year hip-hop dance lessons captured the attention of young and not-so-young alike.

Interfaith Stage - The Interfaith stage was introduced a few years ago as our way of giving various denominations a chance to highlight their own talented members.  This stage features musical acts, singers, and the occasional dancer, all expressing their unique spiritual qualities.  This venue is not limited by belief or creed and is open to all.

Tree of Hope - The Tree of Hope was planted in conjunction with the YWCA’s Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism.  Carlisle area schools were invited to participate in a Tree of Hope planting ceremony.  Each class developed its own hope which was written down on purple Unity ribbons and read aloud by student representatives. 

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