20th Annual Celebration of Black Writing – month long calendar

Posted by on January 30, 2004

Please find below a list of fabulous events. If you have questions, you should contact the folks at Art Sanctuary–215-232-4485 or info@artsanctuary.org.

20TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF BLACK WRITING
February 2-20

Please note: Event dates may change. Verify times and venues with contacts listed. Events listed in red will feature Lifetime Achievement Award winners for the past 20 years.

FEBRUARY 2, Monday
FAME (Faith Access Metro Ensemble)
Did you ever wonder how people with disabilities fit into our black history, what impact they have had, gifts and talents they have to share, how they manage to excel despite their disabilities? Come join Interfaith Specialty Services, Inc. to learn how to help others with disabilities through a fun storytelling event. We welcome children; and people with all types of disabilities are encouraged to attend.
4:30-5:30pm
Free
Carousel House ?Fairmount Park?Belfield Avenue & Concourse Drive
For information: 215. 729.6031
Note: Facility is wheelchair accessible

FEBRUARY 3, Tuesday
The Constitution and the African American Experience
ART SANCTUARY and the National Constitution Center present Lorene Cary and Henry Louis Gates, Jr. in a discussion on the Constitution and the African American experience from the founding to the Civil War, and works of historical fiction and non-fiction about Africans living in 18th and 19th Century America. As editor of The Bondswoman?s Narrative and the soon to be released America Behind the Color Line, Gates is one of the most prominent and well-known academics in the United States today and the chair of Harvard?s African and African-American Studies department. Cary, the distinguished author of Black Ice and The Price of a Child, teaches Creative writing at the University of Pennsylvania and founded Art Sanctuary.
7:00pm
$12 (non-members); $9 (members)
National Constitution Center?Kirby Auditorium?525 Arch Street?Independence Mall
For information: 215-409-6600 or http://www.constitutioncenter.org

FEBRUARY 8, Sunday
Black Ink: Celebrating Writers of the African Diaspora
Join Moonstone Inc. and Celebration?s original founder Larry Robin for a meet the author and book fair event featuring writers of the African Diaspora both visiting and from the Philadelphia area, with author presentations, book signings and refreshments. This is the original site of the first Celebration.
2:00-5:00pm
Free
Robin?s Bookstore ?108 South 13th Street?Philadelphia, PA
For information: 215.735.9600

FEBRUARY 9, Monday
Join 2002 AUDELCO Board of Directors Award for Best Direction, New Freedom?s Artistic Director, Walter Dallas for a Q&A on writing and creating theatrical plays.
8:00pm
$18
The New Freedom Theatre?1316 N. Broad Street
For information: 215.765.2793

FEBRUARY 10, Tuesday
Lecture featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Soldier?s Play, Charles Fuller
11:00am
Free
Drexel University?Mandell Theater? 3210 Chestnut Street
For information: 215. 895.2528

Lecture featuring University of Pennsylvania Professor Emeritus, Kristin Hunter Lattany (Kinfolk)
12:30-2:30pm
Free
Community College of Philadelphia?Bonnell Auditorium?17th & Spring Garden Streets
For information: 215.751.8880

Science Fiction & Science Fact: Truth in the World of Make-Believe Temple University Pan-African Studies Community Education Program (PASCEP) presents a panel of science fiction and superhero fantasy writers: Maurice Waters, Black Science Fiction Society; Karl Bollers, freelance comic book writer; Jamal Igle, comic book writer; Cecil Washington, sci-fi author and many more, as they explore themes and images in their own work and the work of others.
6:30-8:30pm
Free
Temple University?Anderson Hall?1114 W. Berks Street
For information: 215. 204.3449 or http://www.temple.edu/pascep
Note: Off-street and paid parking is available; facility is wheelchair accessible.

FEBRUARY 11, Wednesday
Poetry reading with high school students featuring Poetry Society of America?s 2001 Robert Frost Medalist, professor and poet Sonia Sanchez, author of Shake Loose My Skin.
1:00-3:00pm
Open to the public
Conestoga High School ? 200 Irish Road?Berwyn, PA
For more information: 610.240.1000

Reading and book signing featuring Poetry Society of America?s 2001 Robert Frost Medalist, professor and poet Sonia Sanchez, author of Shake Loose My Skin.
7:00-8:30pm
Open to the public
Conestoga High School ? 200 Irish Road?Berwyn, PA
For more information: 610.240.1000

FEBRUARY 12, Thursday
Reading and signing featuring Poetry Society of America?s 2001 Robert Frost
Medalist, professor and poet Sonia Sanchez, author of Shake Loose My Skin.
9:30am
Free
Harcum Jr. College ? Klein Hall ? 750 Montgomery Avenue ? Bryn Mawr, PA
For information: 610.526.6006
Lecture featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Soldier?s Play, Charles Fuller
4:00pm
Free
University of Pennsylvania?Houston Hall?Bodek Room ?36th & Spruce Streets
For information: 215.898.7225

The Black Experience in Vietnam: Edison High School Remembers
Join Pulitzer-winner Yusef Komunyakaa (Dien Cai Dau), Albert French (Patches of Fire: A Story of War and Remembrance), and Lamont Steptoe (Uncle?s South China Sea Blue Nightmare) in a panel discussion that examines the literature about the experience of African Americans in the Vietnam War. Then join playwright and poet Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon for a powerful and moving theater piece on the effects of the war had on African American women.
7:00pm
Free
Edison High School ? 151 West Luzerne Street
For information: 215.204.1792

FEBRUARY 13, Friday
Storytelling by Linda Goss, reading and signing featuring Eloise Greenfield, author of Honey, I Love and Sister
10:00am
Free
Church of the Advocate ? 1801 West Diamond Street ? North Philadelphia
For information: 215.232.4485 or www.artsanctuary.org
Note: School groups are welcome, but space is limited. Call 215.232.4485 or email Education Coordinator, Chris Thompson at cthompson@artsanctuary.org

Music, Meaning and Mirth: Presenting Poetry to Children with Eloise Greenfield Exercises in the oral presentation of poetry in ways that will stimulate children?s interest, help them interpret poems, find the music in them and have fun doing it.
4:00pm
Church of the Advocate ? 1801 West Diamond Street ? North Philadelphia
For more information: 215.232.4485 or http://www.artsanctuary.org

Tales of Terror: An Evening with African American Masters of Suspense Panel discussion, reading and book signing with five of the country?s leading African American horror authors featuring Leslie Esdaile (Minion), Tannarive Due (My Soul to Keep), Brandon Massey (Thunderland), Steven Barnes (Blood Brothers), Sheree R. Thomas (DARK MATTER: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora, and DARK MATTER: Reading the Bones) and Franklin Institute?s Chief Astronomer, Derrick Pitts as moderator. The authors will discuss how they bring their cultural differences into their characters? from the little old lady watching the neighborhood through the blinds to the prayer and salt line across the door. A dessert reception will be held following the event.
7:00-9:30pm
$10
Stearns Auditorium?The Franklin Institute? 222 N. 20th Street
For information: 215. 448.1254 or http://www.fi.edu
Paid parking is available.

FEBRUARY 14, 2004, Saturday ? DAYTIME
**Saturday daytime events will be held at Community College of Philadelphia, except where indicated**

Meeting of the Union of Writers of the African People
Join poets Dennis Brutus (Still the Sirens) and Lamont Steptoe (Uncle?s South China Sea Blue Nightmare) in a lecture presentation that gives an overview of contemporary African literature.
9:00am
Free
Winnet Building?17th & Spring Garden Streets

The State of Black Literature
Haki R. Madhubuti (Don?t Cry), Elizabeth Alexander (Antebellum Dream Book: Poems), Elmer Smith (Out of My Mind), Ursula Rucker (Supa Sista), Aaron Blandon (The Battle of Eshu and Iku) will be featured in a panel discussion and lecture on the state of black literature and its future. Dr. Sarah Willie moderates.
10:00am
Free

12:00pm ? LUNCH THEATER
Grab lunch and enjoy stunning theater by a new generation of black writers. ?The Ring? was written by former students at William Penn High as part of the Philadelphia Young Playwrights Festival. Directed by Myra Buzell.
Bonnell Building, Auditorium?17th & Spring Garden Streets
2:00-3:30pm Writing Workshops
Spoken Word ? Ursula Rucker
Poetry ? Elizabeth Alexander
Journalism ? Elmer Smith
Publishing ? Haki Madhubuti
Film/Theatre ? Aaron Blandon
Fiction v. Non-Fiction ? George Lamming
Poetry for the 20th Century ? Samuel Allen

Winnett Building?17th & Spring Garden Streets

3:30-5:00pm ? Meet the Authors Books Fair & Signing
Come meet 30 national and local authors. This is your chance to purchase their books and have them sign your copies for your reading pleasure or to give as gifts.

Special presentation: ?Out of Time? is a 30 minute video history of public education in Philadelphia, produced by student videomakers in Scribe Video Center?s 2003 Documentary History Project for Youth. Nine student videomakers researched, scripted, shot and edited the videotape that explores the history of public education in Philadelphia, from the first ?open? schools chartered by William Penn to present day schools contracted to Edison (corporation.)The student filmmakers call their new sci-fi documentary ?Out of Time?, a videotape that explores the past to give us some insight into the future. View, sample, and talk to student film-makers and Scribe personnel.
For more information: 215.735.3785 or http://www.scribe.org

Authors interested in participating, please contact Christopher Thompson, Education Coordinator at 215.232.485 or cthompson@artsanctuary.org for more information.

FEBRUARY 14, 2004, Saturday? EVENING
Dream Team Lifetime Achievement Award Reception and Ceremony
For this year?s 20th Annual Celebration, Art Sanctuary will not name a new Lifetime Achievement Award winner, but instead will take this opportunity to give thanks and praise and props to recipients from all the years past. Come see and hear readings by this All-Star literary Dream Team: write whose work and witness have directed our cultural conversation since the last half of the 20th Century. The Dream Team: Samuel Allen, Amiri Baraka, Charles Fuller, Eloise Greenfield, George Lamming, Kristin Lattany, Paule Marshall, Albert Murray, Sonia Sanchez, and Celebration founder, Larry Robin. Hosts: Haki Madhubuti and Diane McKinney-Whetstone. This is a once-in-a Lifetime opportunity.

6:00-10:00pm
?FUNDRAISING EVENT: Dinner with the Dream Team & Award Ceremony: $50
?Dinner Reception & Award Ceremony: $25

Free Library of Philadelphia?Main Branch?19th & Vine Streets
For more information: 215.232.4485 or http://www.artsanctuary.org

FEBRUARY 15, 2004, Sunday
Memorial Service
Join ART SANCTUARY and members at the Church of the Advocate for an ecumenical memorial service in honor of Lifetime Achievement Award winners who?ve died: John Henrik Clarke, Ted Joans, June Jordan, Ann Petry, Ben Quarles, and Dorothy West. From the Harlem Renaissance through the 21st Century, these cultural observers, intellectuals, activist, poets and storytellers helped civilize the deadliest era in human history. Service will include a Quaker-style workship moments, libations, drums and dance, as well as readings from the Koran, Torah and New Testament and the Advocate?s signature Circle Time. Zuhairah of First World Theater will give a special tribute; Sermon by the Rev. Isaac Miller. Coffee hour follow the service.

Time to reflect on the gift of writing and these authors? contributions to the modern world gives closure to the first 20 years and looks to the future with hope and in community.
Church of the Advocate?1801 West Diamond Street?North Philadelphia
11:00am
FREE
For information: 215.232.4485 or http://www.artsanctuary.org

FEBRUARY 17, 2004, Tuesday
Reading featuring the author of the New York Times bestseller The Color of Water, and award-winning composer and musician, James McBride. Sponsored by One Book One Philadelphia 2004, a project of the office of Mayor John F. Street and the Free Library of Philadelphia.
10am ? School Matinee
7pm ? Evening Performance
Church of the Advocate ? 1801 West Diamond Street ? North Philadelphia
Free
For information: 215.232.4485 or http://www.artsanctuary.org

FEBRUARY 20, 2004, Friday
Lecture featuring 2002 poet Laureate of New Jersey Amiri Baraka (The Leroi Jones/Amiri Baraka Reader)
4:00pm
Free
Philadelphia University?Tuttleman Auditorium?School House Lane and Henry Avenue
For information: 215.951.2700