(CEDAR RAPIDS, IA) - The African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary as an organization with a series of events May 2-4. The 20th Anniversary Events are:
Thursday, May 2 - 20th Anniversary Celebration Banquet 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the Cedar Rapids Marriott (1200 Collins Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401). Join the AAMI for an evening of activities, fellowship, and celebration as reminisce about where the Museum has been and look forward to its future through storytelling and performances. A formal dinner will be served. Tickets ($60/Individual, $100/Couple, or $540/Table of 10) can be purchased through the Museum website (www.blackiowa.org/20in2013) or by calling Katherine Smith at 319-862-2101 ext. 216.
Friday, May 3 - Free Friday and Celebration Mixer 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the AAMI. During the day (10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) enjoy refreshments, free admission, and a look at our newest exhibit "Western Africa: Before the Boats." If you have never been to the Museum before, or haven't visited recently, Friday is the perfect opportunity. On Friday evening from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. join us for a Celebration Mixer! You can ease your way into the weekend by stopping by for a drink, live music, snacks, and free admission to tour our exhibits. No tickets required.
Saturday, May 4 - 20th Birthday Party 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the AAMI. Children and families, we are having a birthday party and you're invited! To start the day off at 10:00 a.m., Eulenspiegel Puppets will present "Freedom Star: Gertie's Journey on the Underground Railroad", a dramatic and moving play that follows a young girl as she travels through Iowa on the Underground Railroad. At 1:30 p.m., you can learn about African drumming and dance through a dynamic performance by Charles Ahovissi of African Culture Connection. All throughout the day we will have scavenger hunts, popcorn, face painting, balloon animals, and 20 different ways for you to celebrate our 20th Birthday! Lunch and a chance to enter the wind tunnel Money Machine will be available for a small fee. No tickets required.
Founded in 1993, the AAMI opened its current facility in 2003 after a $3.1 Million Dollar Capital Campaign. The AAMI took on 5.5 feet of water during the Iowa Floods of 2008, but re-opened 6 months later. In 2012, the AAMI reached 54,715 people through 507 programs. For more information on these events or the Museum, please visit the AAMI website at www.blackiowa.org or call 319-862-2101 ext. 223. The AAMI is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and is located at 55 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
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