CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland Public Theatre’s holiday programming continues with “The Light of Kinara: In the Spirit of Kwanzaa.” Presented by Djapo Cultural Arts Institute for the second straight year, the show is a vibrant, inspiring performance featuring spoken word, music and dance.
Running Dec. 19-21, the scope of “The Light of Kinara” goes beyond a Kwanzaa celebration. It’s also about honoring oneself and the community, focusing on, as Talise Campbell, Djapo’s executive artistic director, puts it, “the light we are called to carry every day of each year.”
“This year’s production reflects who we are and how we’ve grown— deeply rooted in ancestral knowledge, community voices and intergenerational exchange — moving beyond introduction into lived practice and inviting audiences to experience Kwanzaa as a living, breathing set of values expressed through music, movement and collective remembrance,” she said.
The show unfolds in a series of sections, each representing Kwanzaa principles such as Umoja (unity) and Imani (faith). Ceremonial moments, including the lighting of candles at the kinara, give way to dance, with performers moving barefoot in bright, flowing garments as live drummers play behind them. The program draws on traditions from across the African diaspora, including dance from Guinea and a Tanzanian celebration of food. Each piece reflects shared history and collective resilience, creating a sense of community through movement, rhythm and storytelling.
“It’s been incredible to hear them rehearse,” said Kim Furganson, Cleveland Public Theatre’s director of audience engagement & marketing. “It’s not every day that we are treated to the sound of African drums pulsating through the building. I love it.”
New this year, each performance is paired with an event before or after the show. On Dec. 19, the theater will host a pre-show panel discussion with local leaders on how the Nguzo Saba — the seven principles of Kwanzaa — can guide everyday life. Dec. 20 is Umoja Night, with a post-show celebration with music, light bites and dessert. Dec. 21 is Elders’ Night, which honors those whose experiences and wisdom shape cultural traditions. A vendor market highlighting Black-owned businesses will also be open before every performance.
The collaboration builds on an ongoing partnership between Djapo and Cleveland Public Theatre, which has expanded in recent years through events such as CPT’s Station Hope festival and Djapo’s Juneteenth Night of Unity.
“The partnership has allowed both organizations to reach new audiences and continues to build on CPT’s mission to raise consciousness and nurture compassion through groundbreaking performances,” Furganson said.
“The Light of Kinara: In the Spirit of Kwanzaa” runs Dec. 19–21 at Cleveland Public Theatre, 6415 Detroit Ave. Tickets range from $20 to $50 and are available at cptonline.org.
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