Guests of last year’s ‘Taste of Africa’ event are served with a sampling of cultural dishes.

LAURINBURG — A festival of cuisine and culture, reminiscent of Africa and the deep South, will return tonight for its 21st year at the Storytelling and Arts Center of the Southeast.

The Taste of Africa, which will feature Southern staples such as okra, cabbage, tomatoes, bean soup and banana pudding — a down-home potluck composed by members of the African-American Heritage Committee — is set for 6-8 p.m.

Returning for an encore performance, Nyjel Graham will again this year entertain with the smooth jazz sounds of his saxophone, according to committee president Otis James. New to the lineup is retired Laurinburg police chief Robert Malloy, who will be reading a sampling of his poetry.

Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children aged 11 and under.

“We don’t have a lot of entertainment here in Scotland County … so this is an opportunity for young, old, everyone to come out and enjoy some good food, music and poetry and communicate with each other,” said Doretha Swann, committee treasurer and event organizer.

In the two decades since the first event at the John Blue House, the committee has compiled a cookbook spanning from traditional African meals that slant vegetarian to the dishes most associated with the American South, in which “throwaway meats” such as ham hocks and pigs feet are commonplace. That book will be on sale at Friday’s event for $8.

“We just like to remind the community about their African-American heritage,” James has said of the festival. “We want to share some of the cultural experiences we’ve gone through.”

A silent auction will include hand-painted furniture as well as jewelry and artwork and African artifacts will be on display.

The event usually draws a crowd of about 100 people, James said. Proceeds help to offset the costs of the Kuumba Festival, put on by the committee in September.

For information call 910-277-8721 or 910-276-4345.