Drum ’n’ dance

Uganda has been getting a lot of bad press lately (check out Kel Munger’s coverage of Uganda’s “kill the gays” bill at www.newsreview.com/hotflash). Unfortunately, there are discriminatory idiots in every country—but that doesn’t mean everyone in said country is similar. Case in point: the Spirit of Uganda, a group of 22 kids from 8 to 18 years old who are stepping up to promote awareness about the country’s problems with AIDS and civil war, and raise money for fellow East Africans. They travel the world performing traditional Ugandan music and dance. The dancers and musicians use standing drums, choreography and colorful costumes to highlight Uganda’s cultural history and contemporary infusions.

Spirit of Uganda will be Sunday, January 24 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25-$45 general admission, $21-$38 for season ticket holders and $12.50-$22.50 for students. In Jackson Hall of the Mondavi Center, 9399 Old Davis Road in Davis; (530) 754-2787; www.mondaviarts.org.