¡ P o r t l a n d (S h js e ru e r H w m m v o F e s t i v a l Gather Round i ll.' Portland’s Homowo (pronounced ho-mo-wah) Festival replicates the traditional Ghanaian harvest festival held annually in West Africa. Activities include a processional (right) and traditional music by Obo Addy (above). PHOTOS COURTESY OF J l'I.IE K EEFE An evening of African folklore The Homowo Festival o f Afri can Arts, a celebration of a tradi tional harvest festival from the Ga people of Ghana, West Af rica, is the largest cultural festival o f its kind in the Northwest. The festival will celebrate its 15th year on Aug. 6 through 8. The event kicks off at 7 p.m. on Aug. 6 at Jamison Square, 810 N.W. 11 th, with an evening of African folk stories told around the glow ing embers of a fire. The main event continues at a different venue on Aug. 7 from noon to 7 p.m. and August 8 from noon to 5 p.m. at the South Park Blocks on the Portland State University C am pus betw een S outhw est Harrison and College streets. Ad mission to the festival is a sug gested donation o f $5; children are free. P o rtla n d ’s H om ow o (pro- version in 1990, blending A fri can m usic, dance, pageantry, crafts, food and d em o n stra tions to create an authentic eth nic celebration. The festival transcends cul tural boundaries in its celebration o f com m unity. The weekend x the philosophy o f the Homowo that of its founder, Addy: to build community to create a welcoming people of diverse international o nounced ho-m o-wah) Festival replicates the traditional G ha naian harvest festival held an nually in W est A frica. Obo Addy, a m aster drum m er from Ghana, established the Portland draws in thousands o f specta tors with its thunderous drum ming, colorful costumes and ex otic aromas. The scope o f the festival ex tends beyond Ghana to embrace a broad range of African cul tures, with folk art demonstra tions; an African marketplace; a community stage featuring a va riety of talent, from interactive dance dem onstrations to Afri ca n -A m eric an p o e try ; a children’s craft area; and ethnic national groups including Obo A ddy o f G hana, M am adou Diabate of Mali, Maya Soleil of a Worldbeat sound, and Borrina Mapaka of Congo. T he p h ilo so p h y o f the Homowo Festival mirrors that of its founder, Addy: to build on the strength of community to create a welcoming, vibrant place for people of diverse international origins. Addy is a cultural ambas sador and a source of enrichment whose music speaks to these values and celebrates a connec tion between cultures. His per forming groups of musicians and dancers are living examples of food vendors from the African the strength of African perform Diaspora. ing arts. Throughout it all, traditional For more information, con and popular African music and tact Homowo African Arts & dance take center stage, with Cultures at 503-288-3025 or visit performances by regional and w w w .hom ow o.org.