African Night to feature storytelling, dance, fashion Feb. 20 at Michigan Tech

Star Misskemi, a Nigerian model, designer and makeup artist from Lower Michigan, will be one of the guest performers at AFRICAN NIGHT this Saturday, Feb. 20, in the MUB on Michigan Tech's campus. (Photo © Raphael Goudy and courtesy Michigan Tech African Students Association)

HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech's African Students Association will host AFRICAN NIGHT Saturday Feb. 20, in Michigan Tech's MUB Ballroom. Dinner is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a performance from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. This year's theme is "The African Market Experiences."

Featured performers this year are the following:

Madafo the Storyteller will offer laughter, stories and song at African Night Feb. 20. (Photo © Paul Morris and courtesy Michigan Tech African Students Association)

•  Madafo the Storyteller -- Madafo tells classic tales for the young and elderly, recites poetry written by the masters and plays the music of the sage. The works of Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Kahlil Gibran and other favorite authors are presented in this delightful and insightful program of timeless laughter, folk literature and song.

Bichinis Bia Congo Dance Theatre members will perform authentic Congolese Dance during African Night at Michigan Tech. (Photo courtesy Michigan Tech African Students Association)

•  Bichinis Bia Congo Dance Theatre -- Established in 1979 by Brazzaville Congo native Jean-Claude Biougilla Biza (Sompa), Bichinis Bia is a performance theater that promotes the preservation and practice of authentic Congolese Dance and African Culture.

• Star Fashion Show -- Star Misskemi is a Nigerian model, designer and makeup artist based in Lower Michigan running House of Zuri, an African-inspired agency providing services in fashion designing, modeling, styling, photography and Makeup-artistry.

Other attractions are a photo-booth and souvenir store featuring African print apparels and accessories available for people to purchase. Tickets, which include both dinner and show, are $10 each and are available from noon to 3 p.m. weekdays in the Memorial Union Commons. If you are unable to arrange purchasing tickets on campus, call or text 906-370-6072 for assistance.

Khana Khazana to join African Students Organization Celebration this week

The Adinkra Dance Ensemble, who trace their roots to Ghana, perform during the 2011 African Night celebration in the Rozsa Center. This lively, energetic group will return for this year's African Night performance Saturday, Feb. 25, in the Rozsa. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

HOUGHTON -- African Night, hosted by the African Students Organization (ASO) on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Rozsa Center is the grand finale to Michigan Tech's Black History Month activities. The entertainment begins at 7:30 p.m. and will feature guest performers -- the Adinkra Dance Ensemble, who trace their roots to Ghana.

Admission is $6 for all students, $10 for faculty and general public and free for children under age 5. All tickets are performance only. For tickets call 487-2073 or go to rozsa.tickets.mtu.edu.

This year Khana Khazana (food treasure) will serve African cuisine during their Friday lunch on Feb. 24. ASO members will be donning chef's hats and aprons to cook an authentic African lunch for Khana Khazana.

The lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, in the Memorial Union Food Court. Dishes will include samosas, spicy stuffed pastry appetizers; waakye, a traditional bean-and-rice dish from northern Ghana; and spicy baked chicken. A full meal costs $6; individual entrees are available for $2 each. A full meal includes free coffee, hot tea or fountain soda. Vegetarian food is also available on request.

Khana Khazana, a weekly series of international lunches, is a collaborative effort of international students and Michigan Tech Dining Services.