Black and gold decor covered the James B. Woulfe Alumni Hall Saturday night for African Night, a St. Thomas tradition that pays homage to students of African descent.

Hosted by African Nations’ Students Association, the event featured a variety of skits, dance and spoken word acts. The show appeared to flow smoothly, but co-host senior Ayo Idowu said an evolving lineup caused impromptu thinking behind the scenes.

“One of our artists was pulled over on the way over here for speeding,” Idowu said. “We kept as organized as possible.”

Junior Unis Doeway also hosted the event. This was the first year African Night was professionally decorated, and Doeway said other adjustments, such as the length of the evening, were purposeful moves.

“We shortened the show and made it impactful,” Doeway said. “In the past, there were comments that it went on too long, but we really wanted people to focus on the night and celebrate it.”

Doeway said the ANSA board also decided to add a senior dedication as a special way to recognize the dedication of students who have been a part of the club and are graduating next month.

“Recognizing the seniors and our adviser (Tori Svoboda) was very important,” Doeway said. “We couldn’t have done anything without everyone’s work.”

Sophomore Munashe Nzara was a first-time attendee to the event. As an audience member and a part of the show, Nzara said the scene was hectic, but organizers managed to pull last-minute details together.

“I have never been before … but I’m already looking forward to next year. It was crazy and pretty chaotic, but it was a great time,” Nzara said.

The pinnacle of the night was the two-part fashion show; the first set of clothes in the fashion show featured modern, African-inspired designs by Monsio Sayeh and the second set showcased traditional African dress. A buffet followed the nine acts, giving attendees a taste of the plateau continent.

“My favorite part was probably the fashion show. I had a chance to be a part of it, and it was great to be a part of the night,” Nzara said.

Although he did not make an appearance during his last African Night as the university’s president, the Rev. Dennis Dease visited the students who were setting up to wish the ANSA board a successful night. His work in Uganda has brought Dease close to many African students, and his support of African Night has been instrumental to its popularity on campus.

“He talked about how he was going to miss it,” Doeway said. “He gave us his blessing for the night and for going forward, so that was very sweet.”

Idowu said he hopes the tradition is so interwoven into St. Thomas and ANSA’s culture that it continues after Dease leaves.

“I think we’ve gone past the part where Father Dease is pushing it. It’s a part of St. Thomas now, and I don’t think it’s just Father Dease pushing it,” Idowu said. “We have more people coming up to us and asking about what (African Night) is.”

Anastasia Straley can be reached at stra0669@stthomas.edu.