Africana Revival

In the spirit of Black History Month, IU will host a day-long celebration of diversity with its first annual Africana festival on Wednesday. \nFrom 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., students are invited to rejoice in the eclectic culture of the African Diaspora. Daytime festivities at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center include a dance lecture/demonstration, drum workshop, storytelling session and panel discussion, all free to the public. In addition to the numerous activities, over 20 ethnic vendors will have booths set up in the cultural center. \nPart two of the day-long festival, which includes a fashion show and soul food dinner at Alumni Hall from 5 to 8 p.m., requires tickets. \nBefore coming to IU, Oyibo Afoaku, director of the Neal-Marshall Culture Center, helped organize the annual Africana Night at the University of Northern Colorado. Her extensive experience led to the coordination of a large-scale, day-long festival here at IU. Since last spring, a committee has been meeting to plan this year's event. \n"The financial and moral support we received has been overwhelming," Afoaku said. "Over a dozen sponsors have helped contribute to the festival." \nCommittee coordinators hope the Africana festival will introduce students to the culture of the African Diaspora. \n"Anyone who comes to this event will go home with more knowledge," Afoaku said.\n"Africana" refers to all people of African descent -- African-Americans, African-Carribeans, and Africans from within the continent, Afoaku, a Nigerian native, said. \n"We're bringing all this together and celebrating the heritage of African people all over the world."\nA variety of events are planned for the day. History professor Marhsall Clough from the University of Northern Colorado will present the keynote address in a speech entitled "Sharing the Struggle: African-Americans and the Independence of Kenyans." \nA panel discussion, composed of students from IU, Ivy Tech and the Monroe County School Corporation will talk about the "Africana Student Experience in Bloomington."\nAt 11:30 a.m. the African-American dance company, which began in 1974 under the leadership of current director Iris Rosa, will host a dance lecture/demonstration.\nThe company does not perform within the confines of African-American dance styles or traditional African dances either. \n"We do a lot of fusion, fusing movements from different cultures to make a new choreographed movement," Rosa said.\nAt the Africana festival, the company will to try to convey the dance experience to viewers. \n"People see the end products and do not understand the process," Rosa said, her hands gesturing to a silent rhythm with the ease of a dancer's gracefulness. People must understand the process or they will misunderstand what the dance discipline illustrates she said, her deep brown eyes beaming from behind the shadow of her glasses. In the evening, IU Soul Revue, International Vocal Ensemble and God's Progress (an African-American choral ensemble) will provide entertainment as people enjoy typical southern black cuisine. \nThe fashion show that evening will exhibit both traditional African clothing and modern hip-hop styles from Urban Stylz, Inc. and Doi La-Kotour Fashions.\nAfoaku said the festival offers a little bit of everything -- education, food and entertainment. \n"This is an inclusive event. We hope to promote diversity through friendliness."\nGibson, who will deliver welcoming remarks at the soul food dinner, said the festival will give students a chance to explore diverse cultures. She said the celebration caters to various constituencies, not just African-Americans but does not believe diversity events should be limited to a specific month. \n"It's important for students to recognize and celebrate various cultures throughout the year, not just in February," she said.