PRESS RELEASE: Mango Madness African Dance Party

*Ko-Falen Mango Madness Dance Party 2010*

*Malian Ko-Falen Cultural Center to hold annual African Dance Party in Portland to honor 50th anniversary of Malian independence.*

PORTLAND, Ore. – Ko Falen’s mission to promote cultural, artistic and educational exchanges between Mali and the United States will be represented at their *Annual Mango Madness Dance Party Saturday, September 25 at the Springbox Gallery at 2234 NW 24th Ave at 8:00pm. *Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and $15 for students with ID.

The dance party will benefit the Ko-Falen Cultural Center located in Bamako, Mali. At this center, Ko-Falen actively promotes cultural artistic and educational exchanges between Mali and the United States through art workshops, dance, music, and ceremony. Funds raised will go directly to the completion of purchasing the mango grove adjacent to the Ko-Falen Cultural Center, which is critical to the Center as a worksite and neighborhood gathering site.

The dance party and celebration will feature live Malian music, traditional cuisine, and hand-made arts and crafts. The opening performance will be given by Kerfala “Fana” Bangoura, Master Drummer from Guinea. Following acts include dj KC with his African Soundz and Chata Addy the Music Man and his Funky Highlife Band.

To learn more about the Ko-Falen Cultural Center or to purchase tickets for the Annual Mango Madness Dance Party please visit www.ko-falen.org .