PRESS RELEASE

January 7, 2011

MEDIA CONTACT: Jenna Stoll, (513) 287-7099 office, (513) 373-6592 mobile, jstoll@cincymuseum.org

Explore Africa without ever leaving Cincinnati
African Culture Fest shakes up the Rotunda at Cincinnati Museum Center

CINCINNATI--Travel across the globe and immerse yourself in African culture without ever leaving Cincinnati. Our Passport to the World series continues with a fan favorite African Culture Fest on January 15 through 17. Delight your senses as you smell, taste, hear, feel and experience African culture through a variety of family-friendly activities.

African Culture Fest is Saturday, January 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, January 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday, January 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. And don’t forget, all culture fest activities are free! Complete the passport at African Culture Fest and receive a buy one, get one free All Museums Pass, of equal or lesser value!

African Culture Fest is a whirlwind of celebration and discovery. Sample African cuisine and pick up traditional craftworks and goods in our bustling marketplace. Dance to the sounds of the Mercuda drum and learn traditional African dances from the experts. Journey to the wild savannah with our classic film, Africa: The Serengeti, on our five-story OMNIMAX screen. Try your hand at creating a traditional African dish, design your own African mask, and listen to tales from skilled storytellers.

New this year to African Culture Fest, take a deeper look at African culture with the African Film Festival featuring five short films- two of which were showcased at the Sundance Film Festival! The film festival includes titles such as Nora, Movement (R)evolution Africa, Area Boys, Coming of Age, Pumzi and Bronx Princess. These short films will play every hour on the hour, all three days, with the exception of Monday, January 17 at 1 and 3 p.m.

Our vendors include African Imports, INAU, PAB Enterprises, New World Arts, Eve’s Gift Shop, T.F. International, Art Expressions, Rekia’s Imports, Cachet G, Kitabu Books, Kalawentz Products Corp, W & W Creative Cards, Know Thyself Books, Rose Wear Collections (St. Bernard), Senegal Treasures, African Xpressions (Cinnaminson, NJ), Soteni International, Bead for Life, African Legacy (Dayton, OH), Artisan Photography, Clark Wheeler.

Join us at African Culture Fest- there’s no better way to celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday!

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About Cincinnati Museum Center
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal is a nationally recognized institution dedicated to sparking community dialogue, insight and inspiration. As one of the top cultural attractions in the Midwest, Cincinnati Museum Center has served as an educational, research and entertainment resource to millions of visitors from around the world. Organizations within Museum Center include the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children's Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Science, the Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX® Theater, and the Cincinnati Historical Society Library. These organizations combine to serve more than one million visitors annually, reaching out to nearly 400,000 young people through hands-on exhibits and programs. Originally built in 1933 as a train station, Union Terminal stands as one of the last remaining grand-scale Art Deco style railroad terminals. The building is a National Historic Landmark and was renovated and reopened as Cincinnati Museum Center in 1990. For information, call 1-800-733-2077 or visit www.cincymuseum.org.