Fine Arts

This week experience the vibrant culture of Ethiopia and other

areas of Africa or take in some classic American culture, all right

here in town.

The Ethiopian Student Association has put together an event that

is sure to entertain and serve a purpose. They are holding a wine

tasting event at the Avenue tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. The downtown

bar and restaurant will open its doors to raise money for the

victims of famine in Ethiopia.

Live jazz music and volunteer vocal performances by CSU student

and ESA member Noma Sabanda and local talent Tim Hanauer are to be

included for the evening.

The student organization came together last semester and has

just over ten active members.

“The goal of this event is to make as much money as possible for

the famine going on in Ethiopia right now,” said Yoseph Assefa, ESA

public relations chair.

Dinner and Ethopian wine-tasting are included in the price of

the ticket.

The wine has a honey flavor and “is very different from the wine

that most students are used to,” Assefa said.

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $25 per person or $40

per couple. The event is open to all people, all ages. The

organization will donate the money to the International Food Bank,

who will transfer the donation into food. For those who cannot make

the event, donations can be made directly to the ESA.

The Carousel Dinner Theatre offers another way to be amused and

well-fed. See the hilarious and heart-warming play that launched

the wildly successful film, “Steel Magnolias.” “Steel Magnolias” is

playing at the Carousel Dinner Theatre through March 6, and is

centered around clever banter with more than a few sharp, but

humorously revealing, verbal collisions.

The show runs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings with a

Sunday matinee. Tickets start at $34. And everything on the dining

menu is priced under $10. For the evening performances, dinner

seating begins at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 7:45 p.m. For the

matinee performance, lunch is at noon and the show begins at

1:45.

Another option available to those with an appetite for the arts

blends the distinctive flavors of toe shoes and blues. Ballet Jazz

de Montreal will be at the Lincoln Center Tuesday.

Jazz dance has become popular since the hit movie “Chicago.”

Ballet Jazz de Montreal blends techniques as different as classical

ballet, modern dance and jazz and promises to be a breathtaking

evening of emotion and artistic talent. The show begins at 7:30

p.m. and tickets are priced from $18 to $20.

The Friends of Traditional Dance allow one to flirt with the

idea that dancing is not only for those on stage. On Saturday, The

Friends of Traditional Dance group is holding a Sock Hop at Club

Tico, City Park Center. For those with two left feet, a free basic

dance lesson will be held from 7 to 8 p.m.

Music will be provided by the Rock Doctors. The Doctors will be

singing oldies from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s from 8 to 11 p.m.

There’ll be a costume contest and prizes for the best dressed of

each decade, from 1950 to 1979. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at

the door.

This weekend take a trip across the Atlantic to Africa. Well not

literally, but there are certainly many chances to experience this

exotic country right here in Fort Collins. This Saturday is Africa

Day and will begin with showings and discussions of Africa-related

movies from 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Aggie Village Center. Then

at 5 p.m. head over to the University Village Center for an African

Passion Show and history presentation, which also includes a free

dinner and musical performances from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. All

activities are completely free and open to any member of the Fort

Collins community, including students.

For people wanting to participate directly in African culture,

The Rhythm Company is presenting a West African Dance Workshop on

Saturday at Colorado Academy of the Arts. This workshop is for

beginners and it includes live drumming. Admission is $10.

OUTBOX INFORMATION:

The Avenue:

(970) 226-3333

Friends of Traditional Dance Hotline:

(970) 493-8277

Lincoln Center:

(970) 221-6733

Carousel Dinner Theatre:

(970) 225-2555