Two-day festival spotlights black heritage

      The signs tell of a different era, of institutionalized racism.
      "We serve colored carry-out only," read one of the Jim Crow signs Barbara Woods was selling Saturday at the second annual International Black Heritage Festival at Lorenzi Park. Others read "No Dogs, Negroes or Mexicans" and "Colored Waiting Room."
      Woods, of Oakland, Calif., said she sells the signs, which are displayed next to original photos of black soldiers who fought in the Civil War and portraits of the all-star team in the old Negro Leagues, for one reason -- awareness.
      "A lot of people, when they first see them, they are shocked," said Woods, who also peddles original clothing and merchandise crafted by black artists. "Some get angry. But I tell them you have to embrace these signs to understand. To understand where we are now, we have to be able to comprehend the feelings and thoughts that were created and expressed about us some 50 years ago."
      The free, two-day festival, which continues today at the Fremont Street Experience from noon to 10 p.m., also features a wide-ranging display of historic African art, dances, music, jewelry and costumes.
      The moving force behind the festival, Las Vegan Diana Aird, said she hopes the events will help provide residents of the Las Vegas Valley a better understanding of the rich history of blacks and African culture.
      "I hope people will have a little more insight into the history and diverse, common heritage we all share," Aird said. "I hope first they go home with a smile on their face because they've had such a good time. But we also want them to know that black ancestry is of kings and queens, of sharing a proud past and a noble future."
      Several hundred people attended Saturday's festivities at the Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza, which featured five dance groups that boast direct African roots. In one performance, the Isizwe Amazulu and Olabisi groups combined to tell of the history of African kings and queens who fought for freedom and peace.
      For Margaret and Harris Ngari, the festival was an opportunity to display their handmade necklaces, statues and figurines. The Kenya natives, who came to Las Vegas two years ago, handcraft the jewelry and figurines and use beads and wood imported from their homeland.
      "We make these to let people know what it is like in Kenya," said Harris, who usually sells his wares at the Broadacres Swap Meet. "These items belonged to our culture many years back, hundreds of years ago. Before civilization came to Africa, they were making these."
      Aird said the festival has been so successful she is hoping to hold similar events for other minorities, including American Indians, Hispanics and Asians.
      "We want people to know that we don't all look alike, that we are beautiful people whether we have a black face or are of any other color," Aird said. "We are a world of many colors."