metroAfrican » The Palava http://www.metroafrican.com Colorado's African Communities Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:09:33 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Get Your Halloween Fright on at a Local African Restaurant http://www.metroafrican.com/2009/10/get-your-halloween-fright-on-at-a-local-african-restaurant/ http://www.metroafrican.com/2009/10/get-your-halloween-fright-on-at-a-local-african-restaurant/#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:09:13 +0000 metroafrican http://www.metroafrican.com/?p=2208 As you know, tomorrow night is Halloween, and if you don't yet have party plans you may want to check out one of the All Hallows Eve extravaganzas going on at two local African Restaurants.

In Denver, stop by the Palava from 9pm for a halloween bash with no cover charge. Be sure to wear your best costume to have a chance at prizes for the best individual, couple and group costumes. The Palava is located a t11002 E. Yale Avenue in Aurora.

For those in Boulder, head out to Ras Kassa's Ethiopian Restaurant for a night of music by Maputo Mensah, Atta Addo & Adjei Abankwah from 6pm. Dance up an appetite for the Ethiopian buffet and come prepared for the costume contest beginning at 8pm. Ras Kassa's is at 2111 30th St. in Boulder.

]]> http://www.metroafrican.com/2009/10/get-your-halloween-fright-on-at-a-local-african-restaurant/feed/ 0 More than a place to eat, The Palava is a community http://www.metroafrican.com/2009/02/more-than-a-place-to-eat-the-palava-is-a-community/ http://www.metroafrican.com/2009/02/more-than-a-place-to-eat-the-palava-is-a-community/#comments Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:10:41 +0000 metroafrican http://www.metroafrican.com/?p=1216 Harriet Natal

Photo of Harriet Natal by Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post


Sheba R. Wheeler posted a story in the Denver Post's food section today about the Palava African Bar and Restaurant. She picked up on one of the things that makes the Palava truly unique. It's not just about the food they serve, it is about fostering community.

Since it opened in 2007, The Palava has lived up to the Swahili translation of its name, "a meeting place" and community center. African immigrants from various nations frequent it for familiar food, music, culture and conversation. Owner Peter Nganga regularly supports nonprofits fundraising for Africa, offering organizations space to hold their meetings and events. Weddings, parties, singles meetings, and even African studies classes are held there.Palava symbolizes the African practice of interconnectedness among humans, called ubuntu in the Bantu language and umoja, in Swahili, says Lucas Shamala, an assistant professor of African and African-American Studies at Metropolitan State College of Denver.

"Food in African tradition and culture is not just about sustenance, it has social significance for uniting people," Shamala says. "Whenever you want to speak about important issues such as government, politics and relationships, those discussions happen around food and drink."

From their International First Friday events to opening their space to non-profit organizations, the Palava has been working to create a community gathering space. Check out the article, and if you have yet to visit the Palava, you might want to stop by for their Saturday afternoon movie and Brunch Special. Enjoy.

The Palava African Restaurant and Bar, 11002 E. Yale Ave., 303-317-4503; thepalava.com.

]]> http://www.metroafrican.com/2009/02/more-than-a-place-to-eat-the-palava-is-a-community/feed/ 1 The Palava's African Movie and Brunch Buffet http://www.metroafrican.com/2009/02/the-palavas-african-movie-and-brunch/ http://www.metroafrican.com/2009/02/the-palavas-african-movie-and-brunch/#comments Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:59:35 +0000 metroafrican http://www.metroafrican.com/?p=1121 The Palava African Restaurant & Bar launched their new "African Movie Series and African Brunch" offering in February, and will carry the special every Saturday at 2:30pm. The cost is $12.00 for the movie and a buffet brunch.

The Palava is located at 11002 E. Yale Ave, Aurora, CO 80114.

Here's the schedule of upcoming movies:

Feb 21 - Uganda: Ready to Forgive

Feb 28 - Sarafina

March 7 - Wooden Camera

March 14 - Cry the Beloved Country

March 21 - Yesterday

April 4 - Sankofa

April 11 - War Dance

April 18 - Beat the Drum

April 25 - Mama Africa

May 2 - Angels in the Dust

May 9 - Abouna

]]> http://www.metroafrican.com/2009/02/the-palavas-african-movie-and-brunch/feed/ 1 Christmas and New Year's Bashes at the Palava http://www.metroafrican.com/2008/12/christmas-and-new-years-bashes-at-the-palava/ http://www.metroafrican.com/2008/12/christmas-and-new-years-bashes-at-the-palava/#comments Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:54:03 +0000 metroafrican http://metroafrican.com/?p=754 christmas-new-years-bashes-the-palava

If you have not yet been to the Palava, here are two very good reasons to go. They are throwing a party on Christmas Eve and another on New Year's Eve. Celebrate the year that was 2008 in style with great music, tasty eats, and an impressive selection of mixed drinks.

Both events begin at 7pm at the Palava - 11002 E Yale Ave. in Aurora

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