The annual Penn State celebration of the countries and cultures of the African continent, Touch of Africa 2002, will take place at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel in the President's Hall.

The event, hosted by the African Student Association, will feature dinner and entertainment focusing on this year's theme of "Celebrating the Heart of Africa: Recognizing Africa's Women."

The menu consists of traditional African cuisine from all areas of the continent.

After the dinner, the winners of a poetry and country contest will be announced. The focus of the contests is the women of Africa, in connection with the general theme.

A raffle of T-shirts and items donated by local businesses will take place during this segment of the event. Proceeds from the night will benefit the victims of a volcanic eruption in the Congo.

ASA will then present the annual fashion show, followed by a performance by the group's African dance troupe. Then a musician from Tunisia, in the northern region of Africa, will play for the crowd. Finally, a group of professional dancers from Uganda, as well as Penn State's NOMMO Performing Arts Company, will perform. The party will proceed with modern African music from an Ugandan band. Attendees will be invited to dance into the night.

"We want everybody to go home happy," said Lea Adubra, president of ASA.

Tickets, which are almost sold out, are available at the Eisenhower Auditorium box office and cost $12 for students, $17 for non-students and $7 for children. Hundreds of participants are expected to come out for the event.

Shuttle bus service will be available from the HUB-Robeson Center for those who need it.