16TH ANNUAL KWANZAA OBSERVANCE PROGRAM AT MALCOLM X COLLEGE | Theme: “A Kwanzaa 2010 Tribute to Positive Youth Leadership”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chicago, Illinois, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) November 30, 2010 --

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (December 15, 2010) — Malcolm X College, in partnership with the Bolozi Wazee/Shule Ya Watoto (Council of Elders) are hosting the 16th Annual Kwanzaa Observance, December 26, 2010 to January 1, 2011, the largest seven-day celebration of Kwanzaa held at an institution of higher learning in the country. The week-long event is free and open to the public and features live entertainment, cultural activities and an African Market; including the debut of the Karnak Pavilion (a program geared to educate, empower, and enlighten the public through workshops and forums; the Pavilion will afford the public to review past speaker video presentations in a seating area located in the Cultural Center prior to performance time).

Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, but a cultural one based on various elements of the first harvest celebrations widely celebrated in Africa. Founded by Maulana Karenga, an African-American activist, Kwanzaa is an opportunity for African-American families to incorporate elements of their cultural heritage into holiday observances and celebrations during the Christmas season.

Malcolm X College opens its doors at 10:00 am daily for guests to visit the African Marketplace to learn and shop for traditional clothing, food and beauty items. Each day of the week-long observance, the program is opened by the drum call, a trio of drummers that parade through the building to the auditorium for the dedication of the Kwanzaa principle of the day and the lighting of the kinara, the traditional candle holder, followed by cultural entertainment.

First come, first seated.

The 2010 Kwanzaa Observance calendar is the following:

Sunday, December 26th - Umoja (Unity)
–program begins at 2pm; followed by cultural lineup:
Najwa Dance Corps; Melvia “Chick” Rodgers; Bill McFarland & the Chicago Horns

Monday, December 27th – Kujichagulia (Self-determination)
– program begins at Noon; followed by cultural lineup:
Julia Huff; “Drea” THE Poet; Ayodele Dance and Drum Ensemble

Tuesday, December 28th – Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)

– program begins at Noon; followed by cultural lineup:
Alyo’s Children’s Dance Theatre; Walter King, Jr “Spellbinder”; Kwame Steve Cobb and Chavunduka

Wednesday, December 29th – Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
– program begins at Noon; followed by cultural lineup:
Darrell Wilson “Sax Preacher”; Armen Rah; Joan Collaso

Thursday, December 30th – Nia (Purpose)
– program begins at Noon; followed by cultural lineup:
Fred Baker’s West Indies Folk Dance Company; Kaotic Drumline; Corey Wilkes Quartet

Friday, December 31st – Kuumba (Creativity)

– Program begins at Noon; followed by cultural lineup:
Kelan Phil Cohran; Prince Ravanna Bey/Kerry Willis and the “Thunder Sky Drummers”; Maggie Brown

Saturday, January 1st – Imani (Faith)
– Program begins at Noon; followed by cultural lineup:
Ugochi Nwaogwugwu; M.A.D.D. Rhythms; Ari Brown Quartet; Minianka African Dance and Drum Ensemble

The Bolozi Wazee/ Shule Ya Watoto (Council of Elders) is an association of elders who serve as a link between the past and the present. The goal of the Malcolm X College and Bolozi Wazee/ Shule Ya Watoto collaboration is to increase public participation in the practice and understanding of the Kwanzaa celebration.

About Malcolm X College
For 40 years, Malcolm X College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, empowers students of diverse backgrounds and abilities to achieve academic, career and personal success. Best known as the leading health science institution, Malcolm X College is at the forefront of meeting the post-secondary education needs of the urban community. For more information about Malcolm X College programs, visit our website, www.malcolmx.ccc.edu or call 312-850-7000.

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