For one month, MansA transforms into a vacation home for everyone: workshops, audio readings, vinyl-themed naps, neighborhood walks, coffee ceremonies, and moments of togetherness to explore African cultures in a different way—with family, friends, or on your own—all free of charge.
Starting July 1, 2026, the first edition of the MansA Vacation House will open its doors. For one month, from Wednesday through Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., MansA will come alive with shared experiences, celebrate the art of connection, and offer opportunities for learning and relaxation. With a strong focus on inclusivity, the Vacation House is open to everyone—no prerequisites, no admission fee, and reservations may or may not be required depending on the activity.
To mark the start of the season, illustrator Magali Attiogbé is creating a brand-new, hand-drawn two-color illustration on the MansA storefront—a feature visible from the street even before you step inside.
PROGRAM
Creating with Your Hands
Digne lignes — An Introduction to Diabi
Join Massan Kourékama to discover diabi, a natural henna art form native to Mali and West Africa. Gestures, patterns, and stencils: a practice in which body adornment becomes a graphic, cultural, and political language.
Wednesdays, July 1 and 29 · Ages 16 and up
Free · Reservations required
Imagining Symbols and Stories
The Sign Factory
Join Willina Sossou in creating a collaborative typeface inspired by symbols from African cultures.
Wednesdays, July 8, 15, and 22 · Ages 16 and up
Free · Reservations required
Audio Readings
Words come to life through musical, storytelling, poetic, illustrated, or interactive readings: stories from the African world for young and old alike.
Every Wednesday in July
Free · Reservations required based on age
Explore the house, the neighborhood, and the city
The MansA Walk
A stroll through the rooms of the house and along Rue Jacques Louvel-Tessier to discover the stories, transformations, and connections that link MansA to its surroundings.
Thursdays in July
Free · All ages · Reservations required
I'm Building My Street
Join Magali Attiogbé and your family in imagining the perfect street. Young and old alike can create the city they'd like to live in using cut-outs and collage.
Thursdays in July · Ages 6 and up
Free · Reservations required
Sharing a Moment of Hospitality
Coffee / Tea
At Buna Café, discover the traditions and stories behind the Ethiopian coffee ceremony. At Blabla-Kawa, come meet the people who bring MansA to life over a cup of coffee.
Fridays in July
Free · All ages
Slowing Down to Music
Vinyl Siestas
In collaboration with the Minor Proof collective, MansA’s vinyl library becomes a listening space: spiritual jazz, polyrhythms, female vocals, and African and Caribbean grooves.
Saturdays in July (and August 1)
Free · All ages · Reservations required
The MansA Parade You'll Want to Eat Up
To wrap up the first season of “Do It Yourself,” Hopla Studio invites everyone to create a set of jewelry inspired by MansA’s imagination before enjoying a group snack together.
Friday, July 31
Free · All ages · Reservations required
