DANCE | Salsa dancers The salsa is rooted in Africa. Its home is in Puerto Rico, but it rose to
popularity in New York City. This evening, three-time ESPN Salsa Champions Abel
Pena and Zulmara Torres are bringing the passion and moves of the salsa to
Springfield. Performing the routine that won them the 2005 Championship, the
duo is sure to set the dance floor on fire. Thursday afternoon, the dancers
will give salsa lessons and provide information on the African roots of salsa
at Lincoln Land Community College. Julio Barrenzuela, Springfield’s salsa ambassador, organized the event in an effort to promote education,
health and cultural awareness.
ESPN Salsa Champions
Thursday Feb 19
Hoogland Center for the Arts
420 S. Sixth St.
217-523-2787
7pm
$10
Salsa Lessons and Presentation
Thursday Feb 19
Student Union, Menard Hall
Lincoln Land Community College
5250 Shepherd Rd.
217-786-2218
1-2pm
$2 donation
EVENT | Honoring soldiers When black soldiers were encouraged to sit on the sidelines during the Civil War
and two world wars, they insisted on fighting for their country. The Illinois
State Military Museum is honoring the black soldiers who served during the
Civil War, World War I and World War II with a display and presentations.
Members of the Living History Detachment will display uniforms, equipment and
weapons that black soldiers used during the wars. The members of the detachment
will also discuss the unique experiences of the black soldiers before the
military was integrated in 1948. Included in the event are presentations about
a black soldier serving in the 29th United States Colored Troops, the 370th regiment and a black Illinois soldier serving in Europe in World War II.
Honoring Illinois Black Soldiers
Saturday Feb 21
Illinois State Military Museum
1301 N. MacArthur Blvd
217-761-3910
1-4pm
Free
EVENT | Soul food The kitchen is the center of the home in the African-American community, and
Lincoln Land Community College is celebrating the food that has sustained the
black culture. The 11th annual African-American Food and Vendor Day will bring
together local African-American entrepreneurs, food and dance. Vendors include
local business owners selling artwork, soap, oils, clothing, jewelry and more.
The Kumba Dancers, a group of girls age 8-15, will also give a performance. The
main attraction is food from Clay’s Popeye’s Barbecue, one of the most well-known African-American restaurants in
Springfield. The menu features barbecue rib tips, cornbread, greens, sweet
potato pie and more. The Charhm Band with Ada Lou and Tebe Zalango will provide the music while
attendees enjoy a mouth-watering plate of soul food.
African-American Food and Vendor Day
Wednesday Feb 25
Student Union, Menard Hall
Lincoln Land Community College
5250 Shepherd Rd.
217-786-2219
10am-2pm
Free
BAND SPOTLIGHT | Jambalaya Jam Band Once upon a time when faced with the church-designed idea of Lent, many poor,
party-loving people were not about to venture into several weeks of forced
fasting and designated denial without a major whoop-ti-do beforehand. Thus was
born the celebration of Mardi Gras. An integral part of the merrymaking
includes a New Orleans-style band and no one could do it better than our very
own Jambalaya Jam Band, led by trumpeter Frank Parker and saxophonist Henry
Miles. Parker, a New Orleans musician for most of his playing life, knows how
to do the N’awlins thing just right. The group performs at the Brewhaus on Monday night for
the Lundi Gras Costume Ball (plus every Monday as hosts of a jazz jam) and
leads revelers in a traditional Mardi Gras Second Line parade which begins at
Trout Lily Cafe on Tuesday at 6pm.
Jambalaya Jam Band
Monday Feb. 22
Brewhaus
7 to 10 p.m.
Lundi Gras Costume Ball
This article appears in Feb 12-18, 2009.
