The 5th Annual Troost Festival
Saturday, May 16, 2009 • noon to 10 pm
3100 block of Troost Avenue
We are celebrating the talent and diversity
of this historic midtown Kansas City area.
Marching Band
Shawnee Miami & Osage Nation
Reverend Mathew Mason & Choir
Bluegrass Performers
Klezmer Band
Greek Dancers
Irish Riverdance Performers
Lisa Stribling - Gospel / Hip Hop
Washboard Joe - Bayou Blues
The Home Reckers - Blues
Men with Red
A-Z One - Reggae
Free Space
Cool Aid and the Exchange Band
Trample Under Foot
Norman Liggins - R& B
Esoke African Drumming
MCK Band
and Special Guest Performers
The 2009 festival is dedicated to celebration of the historical diversity of the Troost community. The strands of Native American, African American, Irish, Greek, Jewish, and other ethnicities that make up the tapestry of Troost History will be recognized in both music, dance, and period clothing. By recognizing our collective cultures and learning to draw out the best and let go of the worst, a new culture emerges that transcends what any of us could be merely on our own.
We really become “better together.”
People who live, work, and worship in the neighborhoods surrounding the Troost, Prospect, and Main Corridors are welcome to share their time and talents in all aspects of the Festival, and to invite their friends to the afternoon and evening.
Entrepreneurs, businesses, faith groups, organizations, artists and musicians are invited to participate - Everyone is welcome.
Goals of the Festival are:
* to recognize and celebrate the diverse creative energies of Troost Avenue
* change the Troost image to a place of meeting from one of division and fear,
* to prompt residents of the community to join in life long learning.
The last four years have been fantastic and some exciting new projects are happening on the block.
In addition to music, dancing, food, displays by neighborhood associations, faith groups, city services and local artists, a "coffeehouse" will be active with dialogue around ten areas of concern- art, community, communications, education, environment, health, justice, resources, science and spirituality.
Background:
The idea for the Troost Ave Festival was created by the 2005 Race Relations Action Team, one of several teams of citizens that came together through the KC Forums project and with encouragement from the vision of Human Investment section of the FOCUS Kansas City Plan.
Who are you? The best answer we have come up with is we're “The Troost Folks”. We're a loose collaboration of individuals and individuals representing organizations, churches, and businesses in the midtown area of Kansas City, Missouri. Several of the core organizers represent nfp organizations with deep roots on Troost Ave.; when we have to interface with corporations and government entities we are under the umbrella of these nfps.
http://troostvillage.org/
