Included in the day long events will be a continental breakfast, a panel discussions about wise women (elders) roles in society, a catered lunch with live music by the Asia Jazz Project and Molina Soleil, a pottery display of sacred Mana by Arizona Anne Zapf, community information booths, workshops with Corn Mothers and Corn Maidens and a grand fiesta featuring LA based artist Michael Heralada with his award winning Aztec stories performance. Barbara Shannon Bannister will serve as one of the moderators.

 
Community organizations are encouraged to attend the event and set up table space. For more information, call 720-329-0869 or e-mail reneefaja@hotmail.com.

 
Student Oratorical Contest
The Denver Federal Center Chapter of Blacks In Government (BIG) is holding a contest to give students a chance to present orations to win scholarships and awards on Saturday, May 9. Students will be competing in a local competition for the opportunity to compete in a regional and subsequent nationwide contest to enhance public speaking and written communication skills. The theme for the contest is “Has The Dream Been Fulfilled?” Scholarships and other prizes will be awarded.

For registration and additional information, call Danielle Geter at 303-236-8000 ext. 2354.

 
Conference To Explore Solutions To Homelessness
The Changing Landscape of Homelessness: Creative Solutions in Challenging Times is a one-day conference exploring how community stakeholders can continue to create lasting solutions to homelessness in the midst of economic uncertainties and growing levels of need, particularly among newly homeless persons and families. The conference takes place June 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., in Denver.

For more information, call Kathleen Ferguson at 303-291-6946 or E-mail education@coloradocoalition.org.
 

2009 Juneteenth Celebration In Five Points
The 2009 Juneteenth Celebration will be held on Saturday, June 20, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Welton St. in the Five Points. For those interested in vendor opportunities, there will be a vendor general information session on Saturday April 4, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Blair Caldwell Library. Also, for those interested in volunteer opportunities, a volunteer meeting will be held on Saturday April 25, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Blair Caldwell Library.
For more information, contact Leslie Juniel at juniel6@aol.com or Hanifah Chiku at hani.fah@hotmail.com.
 

Black Women Bike Riders Launch Anew
Get fit and explore Denver and the surrounding areas on your bike by joining SNOW (Sista Nubians on Wheels). SNOW is a bicycle group that primarily focuses on introducing biking to Black women throughout the Diaspora. SNOW goes on weekly bicycle rides around town. The rides are on Sunday mornings, starting around 9 or 10 a.m. Some rides may also be scheduled on Saturday mornings.

For more information or to be added to the SNOW mailing list, call 720-308-9413 or E-mail snowsistas@hotmail.com.

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance presents Passionate Heart
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance presents Passionate Heart at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House April 3 to 5, featuring premieres by Award-winning Choreographers Nejla Y. Yatkin and Ray Mercer. The program includes Yatkin’s “For the Love of.......” set to the music of Natash Atlas and Mercan Dede and Mercer’s “How Push Came to Shove.”

Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $39 orchestra,  $33 parterre for adults, $26 for children and seniors for either level of seating, and $19  for Students with Student ID for either level of seating. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets available at the CPRD box office by calling 303-295-1759 ext 13, TicketsWest at area King Soopers stores, the 24-hour Call Center at 866-464-2626 or online at www.ticketswest.com.

 
Art Exhibit Celebrates Black Heritage
“Black Artists Speak,” an art exhibit featuring contemporary Black figurative and abstract sculpture, collage, quilts, oils and acrylic paintings will open at the Artists Student League of Denver, 200 Grant St., on April 17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. These works provide a visual narrative of a rich heritage and culture. This exhibit features the work of two Art Student League faculty, Ron Hicks and Michael Galan, and The Sankofa Arts Alliance. Accompanying the art at the opening will be emerging poets from Art from Ashes. The show runs from April 13 to 24 and is free and open to the public.

For more information, call Rochelle Johnson at 303-861-7710.

 
City Celebrates Denver Architects And Designers
Mayor John Hickenlooper, the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs and the Denver Architectural Foundation invite the public to celebrate Denver architects and designers with Doors Open Denver 2009 April 18 and 19. The theme for Doors Open Denver 2009 is Designing Denver, honoring the contributions of Denver’s own distinguished architects and designers by opening doors representing outstanding examples of their work and style. 

Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to experience Denver’s built environment in a new way – from inside many buildings that are not ordinarily open to the public. Attendees will have access to more than 80 of Denver’s prominent architectural gems and lesser-known treasures. These include corporate offices, mansions, museums, architecture and design studios, hotels, commercial and retail buildings and more. 

Doors Open Denver is a free event and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with Event Headquarters inside Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St.

For complete information, visit www.DenverGov.org/DoorsOpenDenver. 

 
3^rd Annual E. Slack Women’s Missionary Society Black Tie Dinner
Ira E. Slack Women’s Missionary Society of Shorter Community AME Church cordially invites you to attend the 3rd Annual Evening of Elegance Black Tie Dinner Dance Friday, April 17, at 7 p.m. at the Denver Renaissance Hotel. This annual fundraiser assists the WMS with Mission Outreach and Christian Education. The Honorable Peter Groff and Rev. Dr. Regina Groff are the honorary chairpersons.

Donations are $40 for an individual ticket. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Any 21 and older is welcome to attend.

For tickets or more information, call 303-320-1712 or visit www.shorterame.org.

 
Shaka Franklin Youth Foundation Love Our Children Luncheon
The Shaka Franklin Youth Foundation will host its 19th annual Love Our Youth luncheon on Friday, April 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Infinity Park Event Center in Glendale.  Keynote speaker, Sean Porter, who’s true life story was the basis of the 2006 motion picture, Gridiron Gang will address more than 300 guests. Inspired by Porter’s life, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson depicts how Porter took incarcerated boys and created an incredible sports program and football team raising them to heights the young men never dreamed possible. 

Each year the Foundation recognizes the contributions special individuals have made to the community. This year’s honoree is Denver Broncos tight-end and Denver native, Daniel Graham. A graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School and the University of Colorado, Graham has risen to the top his profession and demonstrates the importance of good character and giving back to the community.

For more information on tickets or sponsorship, call 303-337-2515 or E-mail info@shaka.org

 
Annual Plant Sale In Littleton
The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society will hold its annual plant sale Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hudson Gardens, 6115 South Santa Fe Dr., in Littleton. More than a dozen specialized growers from Colorado and New Mexico will bring their choice xeric, alpine, native and rock garden plants to this sale. These plants are especially well suited to grow in troughs, patios, or as architectural elements in combination with rocks and boulders found in alpine and desert environments. Experts will be on hand to help you with your ideas and questions.

For more information, call Sandy Snyder at 303-795-9484.