Celebrate the vibrant and diverse history of South Africa on Monday, Feb. 25, when Richard Lorings”African Footprint”dances into Morgantown. Showtime at the West Virginia UniversityCreative Arts Center is 7:30 p.m.

“African Footprint”has been enjoyed bymore than250 million viewers around the world, including dignitaries such as Nelson Mandela, Prince Charles and former President Bill Clinton. Even though it is South Africas longest-running show, it is touring North America for the first time.

The show enlists the talents of 30 performers, discovered in Sowetos shantytowns, who tell the history of South Africa in a breathtaking blend of Afro- and Euro-centric music and dance.

Critics have hailed”African Footprint”asthe Riverdance of South Africaand thebest to be seen in show business in years.The show melds the hypnotic heartbeat of the African drum, the soulful saxophone and the haunting pennywhistle with traditional gumboot, tap, contemporary ballet, hip-hop pantsula and the Kwela-jive dance steps that are bound to leave the audience astonished.

“African Footprint,”which has the highest production value of any African show on the road right now, opened its North America tour in New Orleansthe first major theatrical event the city has experienced since Hurricane Katrina. The cast received standing ovations after four sold-out nights in a row. The Times-Picayune raved,It is thrilling entertainment that you feel as it courses through you,and called it akaleidoscopic jewel of a show.

Since its conception in 1998, by creator/director/producer Richard Loring,”African Footprint”has toured nearly every continent and continues to awe audiences all over the world. Energy and optimism carry this performance above and beyond the trials Africa is facing of late.

Tickets can be purchased for $38, $40 or $45 depending on seat location. WVU students with a valid Mountaineer card can purchase tickets for $25 at the campus box offices. Tickets are on sale at the Mountainlair or Creative Arts Center box offices, at Ticketmaster outlets (including Giant Eagle below the Mountaineer mall), online athttp://www.ticketmaster.com/or by phone at 304-292-0220.

The University Art Series is produced by WVU Artsand Entertainment. For more event information, call 304-293-SHOW or visithttp://events.wvu.edu/.