Get involved with Kwanzaa!
Wednesday, Dec. 5: Come out and help set up Kwanzaa displays by joining the “The Art of Lights” gathering, chaired by Perry Ayers, Denver Black Arts Festival director, and Thedora Jackson, Denver Kwanzaa Committee executive director. The Art of Lights is sponsored by Denver District 8 City Councilwoman Carla Madison. Volunteers should meet at 5 p.m. at Blackberries Ice Cream & Lounge, 710 E. 26th Ave., Denver, to assist in installing holiday lights at Zonas Tamales at 26th Avenue and Welton Street and along the Welton Street corridor. There will be a reception to follow at the Denver Black Arts Festival offices at 2741 Welton St. This event is free and open to the public.
Thursday, Dec. 6, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: The Black Student Alliance will host an all-day Kwanzaa Celebration at Auraria Campus in the Tivoli Turnhalle Room. Enjoy vendors, Kwanzaa program activities and more, coordinated by Opalanga Pugh, Kwanzaa Elder. Contact Alton Clark at 303-556-3947 for more information. This event is free and open to the public.
Wednesday, Dec. 26:-Opening Celebration Honoring Umoja (Unity)
The annual Kwanzaa Circle of Wisdom Luncheon is chaired by Claudette Sweets and Gladys Brown, and held at the Zion Senior Center, 5151 East 33rd Ave. beginning at 11a.m.
Continuing events all day at various Denver Public Libraries are coordinated by event chairs, Terry Nelson of Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library and the Asego Family. Locations include Pauline Robinson Library at 35th Avenue and Holly Street, Ford-Warren Library at 28th Avenue and High Street, Montbello Library at Albrook Drive and Crown Boulevard, and the Bear Valley Library at 5171 W. Dartmouth Ave., Lakewood. Call Blair-Caldwell Library at 720-865-2401 or303-371-4793 for activity information and times.
The Kwanzaa Kinara Set-up and Disassembly is chaired by Herb Brown and is sponsored by the Five Points Lions. Perry Ayers and community assistants will chair the annual Pamoja Parade. The route will begin at Zona’s, and culminate with a community celebration at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre. Refreshments will be served. The chairperson is Wallace Yvonne Tollette and the master of ceremonies is Chet Sisk. Call 303-371-4793 to RSVP and for parade times and information.
Thursday, Dec. 27, 7-9 p.m.: Honoring Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
Hosted by Stiles African-American Heritage Center at 2607 Glenarm Pl. in Denver, Stiles a special celebration will honor the Kwanzaa principle of “kujichagulia” (self determination). Call 303-294-0597 or write to grace@stilesheritagecenter.org to RSVP and for more information. This is a free event.
Friday, Dec. 28, 8 p.m.: Honoring Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility)
Hosted by the Pan African Arts Society and Café Nuba: It’s Hot and It’s Black, an adults-only program will feature the nation’s hottest poets, spoken word artists, filmmakers and visual artists. Chaired by Ashara Ekundayo, the Honoring Ujima event is at the Roxy Theatre, 2549 Welton St. in Denver. Admission is $10, or $5 with the donation of a Black hair care product that will be given to local homeless shelters. Write to blublakwomyn@gmail.com, call 303-371-4793 or go to www.cafenuba.com for more information.
Saturday, Dec. 29: Honoring Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
This all-day event offers the Ujamaa Marketplace, with vendors, performers, gifts, art and more. Call 303-371-4793 for location and details.
Sunday, Dec. 30, 12:30-2:30 p.m.: Honoring Nia (Purpose)
Hosted by Ile Ori Ogbe Egun and The National Institute of Indigenous Cultural Studies at 9233 Park Meadows in Lone Tree, the Honoring Nia event will happen at the Office Revolution Retreat Center, located at Yosemite Avenue and Park Meadows Drive in the Panera Bread Building next to the Park Meadows UA Theater Complex. Under the theme, “Calling the Vision Forward in 2008,” Nia Chair Ifalade Ta’Shia Asanti combines the Ifa holiday life-visioning work of Tawede and the cultural principles of Kwanzaa for an authentic celebration of African culture, principles, music and dance. Please bring a dish to share and a $10 suggested donation. Call 720-810-0270 or write to allthewords@aol.com to RSVP. For detailed information, go to www.tashiaasanti.com and click on Institute.
Monday, Dec. 31, 4-6 p.m.: Honoring Kuumba (Creativity):
Hosted by Dr. Abayomi Meeks, Kuumba chair and director of Moyo Nguvu Cultural Center, the community is invited to enjoy a lively Karamu Celebration at Holy Redeemer Church, 2552 Williams St. in Denver. For more information about this free event, call 303-371-4793.
Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008: Honoring Imani (Faith)
This traditional day of reflection on the coming year’s goals and vision begins at home and ends with an evening Kwanzaa Celebration honoring the Kwanzaa principle of “imani” (faith).
Hosted by the AAFANTE Tribe and Brother Jeff's Cultural Center, the community is invited from 7 to 9 p.m. for a Faith 101 Gathering at Brother Jeff's Cultural Center, 2836 Welton St. in Denver. Call 303-293-8879 or write to brotherjeff1@earthlink.net to RSVP and for more information on this free event.
Editor’s note: Authentic Kwanzaa supplies including Kinara, candles, mat and books are available at Akente Express African Gift Shop at 911 Park Avenue West in Denver.
The Denver Urban Spectrum thanks Ifalade Ta’Shia Asanti for her work in compiling the details for this Kwanzaa schedule.
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