African Delight

Culture abounds at the fifth annual African Extravaganza.

A A A Comments (0) By Erin Vanderberg Thursday, Feb 14 2008

Tonight the African Community Center of Denver kicks off its fifth annual African Extravaganza at the University of Denver with a two-part program dedicated to refugee awareness. The first half includes the exhibit Faces of Refugees, which showcases photographer Barbara Vogel's images from Sudan, and a meet-and-greet with Vogel. Then, during "Voices of Refugees," speakers from Iraq, Sudan, Somalia and Burma will tell stories of their refugee experiences. The exhibit begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the speakers at 7, in Sturm Hall, 2000 East Asbury Avenue; admission is free.

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Return to DU on Friday, February 22, for the Extravaganza itself, which takes place at Driscoll Hall, 2050 East Evans Avenue. Eat delicious national dishes, shop for fair-trade crafts in the African Market, watch performances by master drummers and dancers from five nations — such as Adjei Abankwah and Mohammed Alidu, as well as Ashanti dancers from Ghana — and experience the vibrant fashions of the continent. This event is also free and runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Both venues are close to visitor parking areas on either side of Evans at Race Street.

The African Community Center is a non-profit, non-partisan, refugee resettlement agency whose task is to aid refugees in the process of building new lives in Denver. This year, the program turbocharged its after-school options to include soccer and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance programs. To learn more about the ACC and tonight's event, call 303-399-4500 or visit www.africancommunitycenter.net.
Wed., Feb. 20, 5:30 p.m.; Fri., Feb. 22, 6-9 p.m., 2008