Campus & Community / Magazine Feature

Extravaganza showcases African culture

The Fourth Annual African Extravaganza will offer a taste of African culture with traditional dance, drumming, food and dress. The free event, which is open to the public, will take place Feb. 23 from 6–9 p.m. in the Driscoll Center’s North Ballroom.

Entertainment will include master drummers Adjei Abankwah and Mohammed Alidu performing traditional West African music. The event will include dancing by the BaoBao Festival Pan African Dance Troupe and Georgina Kotoka, who will give a special performance of traditional Ashanti dancing. The Uganda Youth Culture Ensemble also will perform.

Along with music and dancing, African documentaries will be screened and attendees may participate in an informal fashion show featuring African dress.

African handicrafts will be available from more than 20 local and national organizations working in Africa, including International Peace Initiatives, the Colorado-Ghana Children’s Fund and Project Education Sudan.

“It’s a wonderful educational opportunity to connect Denver with the wonderful work being done on behalf of Africa by our local citizenry,” says Jan Pilcher, community outreach coordinator for the Internationalization Office.

African food will be available for purchase from Pita Jungle and Habesha Ethiopian restaurants. Free meals will be provided to the first 100 DU students with a valid student ID. Fox 31 News Anchor Shaul Turner will emcee the event.

Pilcher says last year’s event drew more than 400 people.

The African Extravaganza is supported by a grant from the diversity community and is co-sponsored by numerous campus organizations.

Paid parking is available near the Driscoll Center in the Evans Parking Garage.

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