African-American culture event attracts celebrities

People from across the state will celebrate African-American culture,history and heritage in Des Moines this weekend as part of an event called”I’ll Make Me A World in Iowa.” Organizer Betty Andrews says celebrities intown tonight include a star from T-V and movies.The headliner is Blair Underwood, most recognized for his work on “L-A Law.”Desmond Richardson will also be performing — he’s one of the dancers in thecurrent screen version of “Chicago.” Miss Iowa 1998 Jennifer Caudle ofDavenport will perform and lead a seminar. There’ll also be a one-man playdepicting the life of George Washington Carver. Andrews says tomorrow(Saturday) will also be busy.The weekend will include all sorts of music, including gospel, rap, bluesand jazz. Andrews says there will also be plenty of food — soul food thatis, like greens and catfish. She says it’s the spices that make it good.Andrews says people will be able to get a taste of what it might have beenlike to escape to freedom via the underground railroad. They have trapdoors, fake walls and conductors to help the public go through and see whatit was like.Events run through the weekend. For details, call (515) 707-IOWA.