February 1, 1996
Contact: Jamie Lawson at (615) 322-2706 or Cindy Young 322-2524
Black History Month events include "An Evening With Spike
Lee"
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- An appearance by film director Spike Lee and
a musical performance by the father-son duo Branford and Ellis Marsalis
are part of an array of events scheduled by Vanderbilt University in celebration
of Black History Month.
"An African American Legacy: From the Valley to the Mountain Top"
is the theme for this year's schedule of events sponsored by the Bishop
Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt.
"Footsteps to Freedom," a dance performance featuring the Black
Student Alliance Rhythm and Roots Dancers and guest AFRICAMMA, a dance troupe
originally from Ghana, kicked off the month-long celebration Thursday, Feb.
1, at Sarratt Cinema.
Nikki Giovanni, who talks with great humor about her life as well as focusing
on the individual and the power one has to make a difference in himself,
is slated to speak Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. Her appearance is co-sponsored
by the Black Cultural Center and the Vanderbilt Speakers Committee. Giovanni's
talk is tentatively scheduled for Room 103 of Wilson Hall and admission
is free.
The duet of Branford and Ellis Marsalis will perform Friday, Feb. 23, at
8 p.m. in Langford Auditorium. Admission to hear the jazz greats is $8 for
Vanderbilt students, $12 for faculty and staff and $25 for the general public.
Lee, known for his striking style and uncompromising and outspoken view
of society, is slated to speak Monday, Feb. 26, at 8 p.m. in Langford Auditorium.
His film directorial credits include "She's Gotta Have It" (1986),
"School Daze" (1988), "Do the Right Thing" (1989), "Jungle
Fever" (1991), "X" (1992), "Crooklyn" (1994) and
"Clockers" (1995). Admission is free for Vanderbilt faculty, staff
and students and $5 for the public through Ticketmaster. The Vanderbilt
Speakers Bureau is bringing Lee to campus.
Other highlights of Vanderbilt's Black History Month include an African
market with art, books and jewelry on sale (Feb. 6), the Heritage Ball (Feb.
15), a gospel concert (Feb. 24) and a conversation on race and gender with
Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of English Thadious Davis (Feb. 19).
Among the movies that will be shown during Black History Month are "Mississippi
Burning" (Feb. 4), "Freedom on My Mind" (Feb. 5), "The
Five Heartbeats" (Feb. 8), "A Great Day in Harlem" (Feb.
19), "What's Love Got to Do With It?" (Feb. 20) and "Panther"
(Feb. 29). All films will be shown at either the Black Cultural Center or
Sarratt Cinema.
-VU-
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This document last updated Jan. 9, 1997