The fourth annual 'Africa in Ithaca' cultural festival, featuring Namu, a noted female singer and performer from East Africa, will be Saturday, May 15, in the Ithaca High School gymnasium.

The festival, which in the past has attracted more than 500 people, begins at 7 p.m. and also includes dinner and a dance. Tickets, which are $8 per person ($4 for children 12 and under), can be purchased at Toko Imports in the Dewitt Mall, at Cornell University at the Institute for African Development, 170 Uris Hall, and the Africana Studies and Research Center, 310 Triphammer Road, and at the door.

Africa in Ithaca has become an annual event celebrating the rich, diverse and vibrant African cultural repertoire, and it has, in the process, brought together people from varying backgrounds in the Ithaca community.

As in previous years, when proceeds from the festival went to local organizations and charities, this year's proceeds will benefit a special scholarship fund at the Community School of Music and Arts. There also will be a special award to the J.C. Knight Barbershop in Ithaca.

The festival is co-sponsored by several Cornell departments and organizations as well as groups and businesses in the Ithaca community. The list of co-sponsoring organizations includes: Institute for African Development; Africana Studies and Research Center; Cornell Council for the Arts; Cornell Graduate School; Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies at Cornell; Cornell African Students Association; Durland Alternatives Library; Arnold Printing; Awura-Abena Ansa; Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC); BSI Sound; Samite Artistic Productions; and Toko Imports.

For more information contact either Joan Mulondo at the Institute for African Development, (607) 255-6849, e-mail CIAD@cornell.edu; or Ayele Bekerie at the Africana Studies and Research Center, (607) 255-4607, e-mail ab67@cornell.edu.