BRATTLEBORO — The fourth and final installment of the Windham World Affairs Council's “Understanding Cuba Through Film” series is on Friday, Dec. 16, with a holiday celebration at 118 Elliot in Downtown Brattleboro.
The evening starts with dinner at 6:30 p.m., with a delicious, vegetarian-friendly dinner by donation (black beans, rice, plantain, cilantro picante, salad, dessert, 'mojito punch' and pernil) during which life-size evocative ethnographic films of Yoruba and Santeria ceremonies will be projected in a free-form exhibition.
The films will illuminate the unique and fascinating world of Afro-Cuban folklore and traditions.
A live music and dance performance follows at 7:30 p.m., led by Miguel Periche, from Holguín, Cuba, and Iroko Nuevo, a 13-member ensemble performing and teaching folkloric dance and music infused with chants and flavor.
In Santería, the iroko tree is a gathering place for the orishas - the saints and ancestors of African religion. The dancers, musicians, and singers of Iroko Nuevo will gather in this spirit around Cuban food and holiday desserts for a truly festive, and free to the community, holiday happening.
To ensure there is enough for all, RSVPs are strongly encouraged: Write to [email protected].
In January, the World Affairs Council will present a three-part lecture series, “Islam and Muslims,” led by Javed Chaudhri, a Council board member. These will be Brown Bag Lunch talks from noon to 1 p.m. in the River Garden on Main Street.
The series begins Tuesday, Jan. 3, with “The Last Prophet,” and continues on Monday, Jan. 9, with “The Rise of A New World Order.” It concludes Tuesday, Jan. 10, with “The Fall and The Renaissance.”
To learn more about these talks and other Council events, visit www.windhamworldaffairscouncil.org/future-events.