A series of cultural nights planned for OU students by student
organizations continues this weekend with Colombia Nite and Africa
Nite. Both celebrations begin in Oklahoma Memorial Union and
tickets for both events are available at the door.

Students who missed out on Mardi Gras have another chance to
celebrate the spirit of carnival with the third annual Colombia
Nite tonight. The event will include a show, traditional Colombian
dinner and an afterparty at Don Pablo’s Mexican Kitchen.

The theme of the program is ‘Colombia, Land of Music and
Legends,’ and will feature a video on the history of
Colombian carnival, said Yoana Walschap, adviser of the Colombian
Student Association. Members of the group will perform salsa dances
in traditional costume, a classic serenade song and five scenes
that show the origins of carnival.

“I’m certain that Colombia Nite will be wonderful
because we have put so much time and effort into the event,”
said Billie Chamberlain, Colombian Student Association president.
The group has been planning the event since September and expects
it to sell out.

The show will begin at 8 tonight in Meacham Auditorium in the
union. Dinner and dancing will take place at Don Pablo’s from
10:30 p.m. until 2 a.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the
door and will cover dinner and admission to both the performance
and Don Pablo’s.

“The program is for everyone,” Walschap said.
“I encourage anyone interested not to miss it.”

Students with questions about Colombia Nite or the Colombian
Student Association can contact Yoana Walschap at 325-4753.

“Unveiling Africa” is the theme for Africa Nite,
which begins at 7 p.m. Saturday in Meacham Auditorium in the
union.

Africa Nite is important because most OU students do not know
about African culture, said William Bouiti, African Student
Association president.

“Africa is so big that you cannot present that culture in
one night,” Bouiti said. “This is a great time for
students to know more about what we do in our countries back home
and what kind of culture we portray, how diverse we are.”

Africa Nite will be a wonderful experience for anyone trying to
find out what Africa is all about, said Seun Ogunbekun, African
Student Association vice-president. This is a way to display the
richness, beauty and life that exists in Africa.

“We will also be serving dinner because it would be
incomplete not to provide a taste of an African meal,”
Ogunbekun said. “Africa Nite is an opportunity for all
African students on the OU campus to give a showcase of our culture
to the community.”

There will be three different dance performances, Bouiti said. A
play will also be performed. All of these events will be showing
the different aspects of the African culture. A banquet will follow
the show at the Henderson-Tolson Cultural Center.

Tickets for Africa Nite are $4 Friday and $6 at the door.
hello there & you too