No Haunt, Just Honor

Not every event around Halloween has to do with ghastly ghouls and creepy crawlers. Some focus on the celebrations of heritage, like tonight’s Annual Ancestors’ Celebration, hosted by Cafe Nuba and the Pan African Arts Society. Special guests -- including Texas poet Rockbaby and local reggae artist Spellbinder -- will be on hand to honor those who came before us.

“October and Halloween are seen as a scary time; we’re not about that,” says Nuba host and creator Ashara Ekundayo. “We are here to celebrate and revere our ancestors, to acknowledge that ghosts and spirits are here to sit with you when you are sad and celebrate with you when you’re happy.”

The organizers say this celebration is similar to the Mexican Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations, but with an African theme.

The $10 event will be held from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Rocky Theater (2549 Welton Street). Bring a special item or offering for the ancestors and Orisha/Angel Altar. Just about anything is welcome; Ekundayo says she’s seen cigars, plates of food and even a few garters left at the altar.

“My grandma loved dark coffee and pancakes,” says Ekundayo. “I just might make some for her.”

For more information, visit www.panafricanarts.org.
Last Friday of every month, 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m., 2006