Culture took center stage on Saturday at this year’s annual African dinner.

Hosted by the African Peoples Association, the African dinner’s theme was “Listen to Africa: The Sound Of…” and the event took place 6 p.m. Saturday in Olscamp 101. Approximately 300 students were in attendance for the event.

The dinner was held to wrap up everything APA has showcased during the school year, Vice President Curtis McKinnon said.

Students who attended the event were able to experience African dance, drumming, food and fashion in the two hour event. The dinner included fried plantains, catfish, curried chicken and jalouf rice.

The evening started with a flag precession, which represented different African nations, followed by the South African Anthem sung by graduate student Anither Karugila.

Hosting the show along with McKinnon was public relations chair for APA, Immanuel Gyebi.

“We want to exhibit African culture and show people that we don’t live in darkness,” Gyebi said. “African culture is more than what’s shown in the media.”

Born in Ghana, Gyebi joined APA three years ago with a strong interest in meeting the African community on campus.

The evening moved along with special dance performances from the Afro-Caribbean Dance Ensemble and Ladies African Dance who traveled from Columbus, Ohio to be in attendance.

Future vice president of APA Robert Lino and future public relations chair John Travers engaged the crowd with poetry that shed light on African culture.

The general members continued the evening with a fashion show, which represented African clothing and apparel.

The evening wrapped up with a headlining performance from Bi-Okoto a Drum and Dance Theater school of African Cultures based out of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Becoming an instant crowd-pleaser, the dance troupe involved the audience by bringing several audience members to the stage to learn African dance.

Invited to the stage was student Karina Higginbotham, who attends the dinner every year.

“I love African people and the culture, so I make sure I support everything APA does,” Higginbotham said.

APA has just a couple meetings left in the school year for anyone interested in attending, Gyebi said. The group was created for all people of African decent and those interested in African culture to come together and help others learn about African culture, said APA President Emeka Anyanwu.

For more information about APA and announcements on upcoming events, visit www.bgapa.org.