Organizers from the Pan African Arts Society are determined to keep their annual Cafe Nuba Kwanzaa celebration going tonight, despite the snow. From host Ashara Ekundayo:

It’s the 4th day of the African American cultural tradition, Kwanzaa (meaning “first fruits”) and the meditation is on Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa). The recognized definition says: “To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.” We would add, to support artists and activists in your community by financially supporting their work without low-balling them or trying to “pimp” them. Buy some poetry cds, chap books, t-shirts, hell, give them $10 because they are amazing!

Tonight’s event at the Mercury Cafe features three guest poets from New York: John “Survivor” Blake, Mahogany L. Browne, and Jive Poetic. The Denver Youth Slam Team and other special guests will join the festivities. The all-ages event is $10, or $5 for teens or those who donate black haircare products for The Gathering Place women’s shelter.