Nelson Mandela and Fela Anikulapo Kuti. rose to prominence in very different circumstances, but both were driven by overarching visions for change in their countries. This weekend, events in Brooklyn and Harlem pay tribute to their enduring legacies.
On Saturday, BRIC, the nonprofit arts and media group, will host a “Fela Frolic” in honor of this Nigerian musician, who died at 58 in 1997. Things kick off at 2 p.m. with a slate of free family-friendly activities, including a scavenger hunt through the BRIC House, an African drumming workshop by Dellwyn Gilkes, a family dance class with Iris Wilson, a screening of the documentary “Finding Fela” and a performance by the Afrobeat ensemble Zongo Junction.
At 8 p.m., a “Jump N Funk” party starts, with the D.J. Rich Medina on hand and Sahr Ngaujah, who starred in Bill T. Jones’s acclaimed Broadway show “Fela!,” hosting and performing. Tickets for the evening portion are $10 in advance and $14 at the door.
(Saturday, 2 p.m. to midnight; 647 Fulton Street, at Rockwell Place, Fort Greene, Brooklyn; 718-683-5600,bricartsmedia.org.)
On Sunday afternoon, the Apollo Theater presents a free panel discussion on the cultural and political connection between Harlem and South Africa, including Mandela’s historic visit to New York in 1990 after his release from prison. The event is part of the theater’s Africa Now! festival, a celebration of that connection that also commemorates Mr. Mandela’s inauguration as president 20 years ago. (Mr. Mandela died at 95 last year.) The actor, singer and activist Harry Belafonte and David Dinkins, the former New York mayor, take part along with a handful of journalists, professors and artists. The event will also feature performances by WBAI-FM D.J.s and the South African Harlem Voices choir.
(Sunday at 3 p.m.; 253 West 125th Street, Harlem;212-531-5300; apollotheater.org.)
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