To many, the holiday season is a time to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and Ramadan, but to many African-Americans at Iowa State, it is also a time to celebrate Kwanzaa.

The World Theater Workshop, formerly the ISU Minority Theater Workshop, will sponsor its fifth annual Kwanzaa celebration at 2 p.m., Dec. 8 at Fisher Theater.

“People reflect back on those who paved the way for us,” said Eric Ashby, who will sing an original song during the celebration, which focuses on African-American heritage.

Ashby’s musical piece, “No More Tears,” is just one of many performances, said Shirley Dunlap, director of the World Theater Workshop.

“Each year, we always have different artists from the ISU community,” said Dunlap, associate professor of music.

“I try to get new artists each year. [This year’s celebration is] featuring new artists that will be doing dance, singing and spoken word.”

Dunlap said a highlight of the celebration will be a performance by the Des Moines-based Isiserettes Drill & Drum Corps. Another, she said, will be the opportunity to unite all communities in celebration.

“I wanted to bring everyone together,” Dunlap said. “I wanted everyone to come together as a community – the Ames community, the ISU community, the Des Moines community and all parts in between.”

Returning this year as the presiding elder of the celebration will be Carlie Tartakov, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction.

“She will introduce exactly what the occasion is and why it’s being celebrated,” Dunlap said.

Sharing Kwanzaa with Iowa State will be enjoyable, she said.

“I look forward to a packed house and dancing in the aisles this year,” Dunlap said.

Ashby, sophomore in performing arts, described Kwanzaa as a time of reverence when people can give thanks to those who led the way for African-Americans.

Kwanzaa is a non-religious celebration of the richness of the African-American culture, she said.

The holiday is based on seven principles of life – unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

Although the holiday is a celebration of the African-American community, Dunlap said it can be celebrated by all people.

“It is a time to reaffirm the culture of other cultures, through other cultures coming and joining with us,” she said.