Museum goes Afro-Brazilian for annual gala

TONIGHT'S second annual Heritage Gala to benefit the African American Museum promises not to be another boring rubber-chicken affair.

Organizers plan to shake things up by abandoning the traditional dinner-dance format and instead are presenting an Afro-Brazilian-themed evening, inspired by the museum's current exhibit, "The Art of African Women: Empowering Traditions." Instead of having the usual meal followed by a keynote speaker, they're trying for a more lively affair by featuring a performance by Mogauwane, a South African master drummer.

"We do have a program but we're trying to keep everything brief," explained Romona Riscoe Benson, the museum's president and chief executive officer. "We really just want it to be more of a celebratory atmosphere."

Following a jazz reception and silent auction organized by October Gallery, a women's sekere (African percussion instrument) ensemble will lead attendees into the dining area of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where the gala takes place.

"The executive chef of Aramark put a special menu together for us to make sure that it was inclusive of our theme," Riscoe said. "We are featuring some dishes that represent Brazil. There's a special beef item that's made with Coca-Cola and a special chicken item that people will really enjoy,"

The official program portion of the evening will be short and followed by dancing to the tunes of Alo Brasil .

"Everybody will be up and dancing before the end of the night," Riscoe prediceted. "It will be a lot of fun."

The gala is the museum's biggest fundraiser. Last year, it raised $200,000 and already has raised that much this time around. The dress code for the event is black tie or traditional dress. Tickets are $150 a piece and available by calling 215-574-0380. *