Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 8/2/2022
MONSON – Afri(K)que Limited is back in person to celebrate their 5th annual Monson Cultural Picnic on Aug. 13 at Veterans Field from 1-5 p.m. This will be an event for people of all ages with over 20 unique vendors, a free cookout at the park and plenty of activities.
“After being in our homes for so long, I just hope that people come out and have fun,” said Afri(K)que Founder and Executive Director Karina Dise. “There’s a playground, tennis court and skate park. There’s so much going on at the park where we’ll be, it doesn’t matter where you live - anybody can attend.”
Established in 2014, Afri(K)que Limited is a nonprofit organization fighting against hunger, homelessness and poverty in women and girls through the arts. They promote handcrafted women’s wear, accessories and artwork, presenting them at themed-parties, fairs, hospitals, schools and organized fashion shows and events.
After traveling in Africa, Europe and the United States, Dise observed how poverty was affecting several girls and women in their communities, the concept of Afri(K)que was born. She told Reminder Publishing many of these women know how to sew, paint, weave traditional fans and make handmade jewelry, but they still can’t afford a decent meal. The idea of supporting women and girls in the communities where they work through artwork started to make sense, she said.
Currently, Afri(K)que is supporting three women from Togo, West Africa who have talents sewing batik, bazin and kente clothing. They are also looking to give hope to local women and girls in the Western Massachusetts area who are facing homelessness and hunger through donations of all kinds, giving handmade jewelry, toiletries, clothing, shoes and monetary donations to females in need, and offering African jewelry and dance/drum workshops at different locations.
The idea for the cultural picnic came about when Dise noticed over the summertime there were not many events happening in the month of August. “After the Fourth of July, there’s not much going on in August and children are preparing to go back to school at the end of the month,” Dise responded. “We figured out there has to be some kind of celebration or event over the summer right before school starts where families get together and just have a fun time. That’s how the Monson Cultural Picnic started.”
Proceeds of this event helps Afri(K)que Limited continue to give a helping hand to local women experiencing hunger, homelessness, poverty or sometimes displaced by fire. It also supports charitable trips to Togo, West Africa and donations to orphanages.
“Our mission is to fight against poverty in the world, one woman at a time,” Dise said. “Our priority is to work with socially and economically disadvantaged women artists and be their voice.”
There will be live entertainment by Maggie the Clown, musical performances by local artist Faith Ward, an African drum performance by Faith Conant and international musical vibes by DJ Serge LaMusica. Additionally, there will be a surprise African dance performance. Some of the vendors include Colorstreet, Shale Miller-Slope to Shore Team of William Raveis, Lil’ Munchie Shop, Christina’s House, DCF, Open Pantry/Housing, Comfort Pillows by Nana, Travelnitch, MyMonson and Top Floor Learning Inc. This year’s sponsors are the Mass Cultural Council and Monson Savings Bank.
Attendees can RSVP at www.afrikque.com. Afri(K)que are welcoming five more vendors selling jewelry, clothing or artists making their own crafts to the picnic. For more information, contact the group directly at their website or email Dise at afrikque@gmail.com and put Monson Cultural Picnic in the subject line.