July 31, 2014
LAWT News Service
The historical Watts Summer Festival (WSF) will celebrate its 48th year on Saturday, Aug. 9, at Ted Watkins Park (next to the tennis courts) from noon until 7:30pm. The community is invited to come out and enjoy culture, continuous music, food, and activities including a petting zoo, Children’s Village and more. Vendors will offer unique items and social service agencies will provide valuable onsite information of services available to residents of all ages.
The venerable event will open with the pouring of libations in memory of those who lost their lives in the 1965 Watts Revolt, by Tulivu Jadi, vice chair of Organization Us and Alma Jackson, WSF board member. Mpinduzi Kuthaza, WSF board member, will give the history of the Watts Festival and recognize the Festival’s honorary co-chair, Congress member Maxine Waters. The “Tommy Jacquette Legacy Torchbearer Award” will also be presented to a deserving young Watts resident.
On Friday, Aug. 1, the documentary film “WattStax: The Living Word” will be screened with discussion at the Watts Senior Center, 1657 E. Century Blvd., Watts. The 1972 all-star concert was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and organized by Memphis’ Stax Records as a fundraiser for the Watts Summer Festival. Lester Jones, WSF Board Member, will moderate. 1 pm – 4pm.
On Saturday, Aug. 2, the Watts Village Forum “Building a Healthy Community” will be held at Beulah Baptist Church, 1454 E. 100th St., Watts. A panel of local professionals will discuss three elements of building and maintaining a healthy community, focusing on mental, physical and non-violent solutions. Panelists include Dr. Yoshado Lang, Emmada Psychology Center; Dr. Stan Frencher, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital; and Aquil Basheer, A Better L.A. and PCITI (Professional Community Intervention Training Institute). WSF Board Member, Kathy Williamson, will moderate. 11am - 1pm.
For more information, visit www.WattsFest.org and Watts Summer Festival, Inc. on FaceBook.