Special Activities in Portland During Kwanzaa

Matt Dishman Community Center and the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center offer special celebrations during Kwanzaa.

Photo courtesy: wovenweb.org

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Kwanzaa, December 26th through January 1st, is a unique holiday celebrating the strengths and accomplishments of the African American community. Kwanzaa activities will be featured at two Portland Parks & Recreation sites - the Matt Dishman Community Center and the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center.

On Wednesday, December 26th, the Matt Dishman Community Center at 77 NE Knott will honor the first day of Kwanzaa, Umoja or 'Unity' with a presentation of the Feast of the Seven Tables, a performance by Liquid Moves Entertainment. The event runs from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, with the candle lighting at 6:30 PM.

The Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center at 340 N. Interstate, honors Kujichagulia or 'self-determination', the second day of Kwanzaa week, with live performances by poets and drummers throughout the Gallery from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM on Thursday, December 27th. The candle lighting ceremony will be held at 6:30 PM.

In addition, IFCC is presenting a Kwanzaa Marketplace from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday and Sundays through December 30th. The Marketplace will also be open during the Kujichagulia celebration on December 27th.

Great gifts and art finds by African American artists will be available, as well as art supplies, décor, and ideas for creating one's own Kwanzaa Celebration.

Artists featured at the Marketplace include Donna Smith, Renee Mitchell, Kemi Arigibon, Vivienne Mathis, Kahunya Wario, Marsalis Brown, GG, Romaine Harris, Jaime Lee Christiana, Wanda Wright, and Blacque Butterfly.

The IFCC Gallery will feature the works of artists GG, Mo, Art Alexander, Raymond Alexander, Adriene Cruz, Helen Montgomery, and Wanda Wright, each of whom have created an altar dedicated to each of the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa.

Under the auspice of The Center for Black Studies at Portland State University, Senator Avel Gordly, Reverend Dr. W.G. Hardy Jr., and Dr. Dalton Miller-Jones share their photos from a recent trip to Ghana.

The works will be on view in the Gallery from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Tuesday - Friday, and 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday, through December 31st.

For more information, visit portlandparks.org or ifcc-arts.org/kwanzaa.htm.

Source: City of Portland press release