Cultural celebrations for the holidays

December 17, 4:52 PMKansas City Cultural Travel ExaminerLysa Allman-Baldwin

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The Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

The holidays are in full force and all over the globe people are celebrating through a wealth of wonderful themed cultural activities, exhibits, performances and events. Following are just a few to carry you into the New Year:

In Portland, Oregon, the Kwanzaa Exhibit and Celebration at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center celebrates the tradition of Kwanzaa. The event, which runs through January 2, features local African and African American artists and their creative works, plus a special 5th night of Kwanzaa-–Nia (“Purpose”)--with a variety of live performances on December 30. 503.823.4322, www.ifcc-arts.org

On December 20, join the Elim Christian Fellowship Church and the Men of Unity multi-church deacons’ choir for a special night of Christmas music in Des Moines, Iowa at the Fort Des Moines Museum Chapel. The Museum honors the U.S. Army’s First officer candidate class for African American men in 1917, and the establishment of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC’s) in 1942. 515.282.8060, www.fortdesmoines.org

This year marks the 23rd year that the Oakland Interfaith Holiday Choir, an Academy Award-winning, 55-member choir, will perform in Oakland, California. Appearing at the city’s famed Paramount Theatre, the singers share the strength of their inspirational voices to promote the love of Gospel music with a message of hope, joy, unity and justice for the holiday season. This year they will also perform a new, first annual Holiday Concert performance on December 19 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. 510.839.4361, www.oigc.org
 

In Chicago, Illinois at the Museum of Science and Industry, kids of all ages are invited to enjoy “Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light.” Here, over 50 trees beautifully decorated by members of Chicago’s ethnic communities deck the museum halls, each depicting their own unique cultural interpretation of the season. Ethnic holiday performances are also part of celebration. Kupa'a Pacific Island Resources (South Pacific Islands), Mamma Sunshine (Kwanzaa), Holy Nativity Romanian Orthodox Church Miorita Ensemble (Romania), Alma Ecuatoriana (Ecuador), Society of Danube Swabians (Germany), Renacer Boliviano Dance Troupe (Bolivia), Calima Spanish Dance (Spain), Holy Cross/IHM Marimba Ensemble and Children's Choir (Mexico/Central America), Polish Scouting Organization (Poland) and Choomsarang Korean Traditional Dance Group (Korea) are just a few set to delight visitors through the end of the year.
773.684.1414, www.msichicago.org.