Under the Umbrella of nonprofit organization Think Peace International, the A-Fest welcome you to participate in this year’s third annual event highlighting identity and contributions of the World’s First Peoples. This event entitled A-Fest, was the brain child of U.S. Navy Veteran, Art Institute of Houston Adjunct faculty graphic arts Instructor, versatile performing artist Danny A. Asberry-El who performed Moorish-dance for the Crown Prince of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Asberry-El, being of a unique genealogy himself, wanted to design an event that would bring awareness of the world’s first peoples, their longstanding contributions and cross cultural viability. The A in A-fest represents to word Autochthonous (to sprout from the land) and Fest goes on to convey Festival highlighting identity and contributions of the World’s First Peoples. The idea was to create a nexus of history, wellness, music, art, law, organic marketing and compassionate study as it relates to human beings. In 2014, the A-Fest has exceeded the status of a simple history and art festival into a place-making platform that produces a creative economy and vast cultural industry. The A-Fest has grown into an incubator of Autochthonous Arts and cultural enterprise made manifest. This year’s festival will be held on September 21st—the International Day of Peace. In 1981 The United Nations General Assembly brought forth recognition of this day as a way to strengthen relations between peoples. On this day in 2014, everyone who wants to learn how to be authentic in their lives, both culturally and spiritually, should attend together with your assistance we can mobilize the public’s will to have what they seek and support the cause of the A-Fest. What makes the A-Fest Unique? The A-Fest is the first of its kind (as far as we know) in the World. We do not exploit Autochthonous culture, but we advance it through compassionate understanding, teachable moments, ancient memories, interfaith sharing, truth telling, music, and audience participation and community restoration. The A-Fest reunites the world with its first people while allowing everyone to see how we all are tied to the vine of humanity itself no matter your background. Extended Knowledge of self, wellness, spirit, genealogy and autochthonous cultural business is realized here. Finally we create platforms for creative innovators, creative economy and programming that changes the world for the inside out. The A-Fest encourages and presents the following:
o Recognizes the vines that connect all humankind together
o Exposes root causes of multiple conflicts and offers systems of reconciliation and healing
o Creates an electrifying experience of art, cultural exposure and entertainment
o Brings little known history to life
o Provides inner empowerment for surrounding local businesses and the niche market encompassing autochthonous peoples
o Teaches people to be themselves by providing tangible and intellectual tools
o Reaches towards the community to understand that we all come from the first peoples. o Is held on the International Day of Peace each September 21st
o Mobilizes public will
o Provides opportunities of professionalism and for the community to build generational health and wealth
o Creates windows for franchise efforts and large-scale attention via social media, B-to-B interaction and organic marketing. o Provides a family friendly atmosphere
o Exposes the importance of Elder and youth relationships
We work to sustain, promote and expand access to arts and cultural resources in Nationally and Internationally. Arts and culture are community assets that enhance financial strength, health and wellness, and social capital in the communities where they are supported. Mission
A-Fest enhances quality of life by advancing Autochthonous arts and culture internationally. Vision
The A-Fest will be a stand alone, flourishing cultural community that values Autochthonous arts and culture and provides community support to facilitate success.
