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Lafayette’s celebration of Black History Month 2001 will feature a keynote talk by Patricia J. Williams, author of The Alchemy of Race and Rights, and a student research forum.
The festivities will include an art exhibit, music and dance performances and workshops, the Association of Black Collegians’ inaugural Student-Alumni Banquet, and other events. The celebration will culminate in a visit by the traveling Black Inventors Museum Feb. 28 and March 1.
Published in 1991, The Alchemy of Race and Rights is an examination of the United States legal system and its effect on African Americans. Williams, a professor at Columbia University School of Law and columnist for The Nation, will address this topic in a keynote talk at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, in the auditorium of Kirby Hall of Civil Rights.
A forum showcasing students’ scholarly research will be held at 4:45 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 18, in the Hugel Science Center.
Jeffrey D. Robinson ’80, senior partner in the law firm of Baach, Robinson & Lewis PLLC, will be guest speaker at the Association of Black Collegians’ inaugural Student-Alumni Banquet, 5 p.m. Saturday, March 31, in the Bergethon Room, Marquis Hall. This event was originally scheduled for Feb. 10.
To kick off Black History Month, playwright William Marley of Easton will read his award-winning one-act play Black Jesus at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, in the David A. Portlock Cultural Center. A question-and-answer session will follow.
The play’s action revolves around a black farmer in northern Mississippi who, as an untrained artist, paints Bible-related art. His paintings are “discovered” by a New Orleans gallery owner who puts the uneducated man under a binding contract, then promotes the paintings to major art galleries and museums. Black Jesus is one of a trilogy of plays called Miss’ippi Medley based on Marley’s early years growing up in Jackson, Miss. The au
An exhibition by artist-in-residence Ed Johnetta Miller, a weaver and quiltmaker, will be displayed from Feb. 2 to March 1 at the Portlock Black Cultural Center. Jazz bassist Ray Drummond’s Excursions Band will team up with Senegal percussionist Mor Thiam at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, in the Williams Center. The concert features New York jazz with Latin American and West African influences.
African musician Mogauwane Mahloele, master of drums, kora, ballofone, and exotic bowed instruments, and Art Ensemble of Chicago drummer-percussionist Famoudou Don Moye will present “Festive Sharing” at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, and will perform in concert at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at the Williams Center.
Garth Fagan, choreographer of Broadway’s Lion King, will present the dance performances “Trips and Trysts” and “Woza” at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the Williams Center. A reception will follow.
Black History Month events are free and open to the public, except for the Excursions, Mahloele-Moye, and Garth Fagan performances at the Williams Center. For more information, call the office of intercultural development, (610) 330-5556.
Here is the full calendar:
Thursday, January 25, 7 p.m. –Black Jesus, one-man play by playwright William Marley, Portlock Black Cultural Center
Friday, January 26, 8 p.m. — “Excursion — American Jazz with African Percussion,” concert joining bassist Ray Drummond’s band with Senegal percussionist Mor Thiam, Williams Center for the Arts. Student tickets are free. Tickets for others cost $20 and may be purchased by calling the Williams Center box office, (610) 330-5009
Thursday, February 1, 8 p.m. — “Festive Sharing,” presentation by African musician Mogauwane Mahloele, master of drums, kora, ballofone, and exotic bowed instruments, and Art Ensemble of Chicago drummer-percussionist Famoudou Don Moye, Williams Center for the Arts. No tickets are required
Friday, February 2, 8 p.m. — “Music From the African Diaspora,” African drumming and dance with Mahloele and Famoudou Don Moye, Williams Center for the Arts. Tickets are free for students, $15 for others
Friday, February 2, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. — “Weaving a New World,” exhibit by artist-in-residence Ed Johnetta Miller, Portlock Black Cultural Center
Mondays, February 5, 12, 19, 7:30 p.m. — African drumming, Williams Center for the Arts room 123, and African dance, Kirby Sports Center. Workshops are free. For more information or to register, call Recreation Services, (610) 330-5770
Tuesday, February 6, 8 p.m. — Dance performance led by Garth Fagan, Williams Center for the Arts. Tickets are free for students and cost $20 for others
Sunday, February 11, 9-12 p.m. — Alumni Brunch, Portlock Black Cultural Center
Thursday, February 15, 4:10 p.m. — “The Marquis de Lafayette and Slavery,” presentation by Russell W. Irvine, Skillman Library Special Collections Reading Room. Reception will follow
Friday, February 16, 8 p.m. — Comedy Showcase, Colton Chapel
Sunday, February 18 — “Prologue” program on the Lafayette experience for prospective students of color and their families
Sunday, February 18, 4:45 p.m. — Student Research Forum showcasing EXCEL and honors research , Hugel Science Center
Wednesday, February 21, 8 p.m. — “The Alchemy of Race and Rights,” keynote speech by Patricia Williams, Kirby Hall of Civil Rights
Thursday, February 22, 5 p.m. — Reception for artist-in-residence Ed Johnetta Miller, Portlock Black Cultural Center
Friday, February 23, noon — “Weaving a New World,” slide and lecture presentation by artist-in-residence Ed Johnetta Miller, Williams Center for the Arts
February 28 and March 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. — Black Inventors Museum, traveling exhibition featuring artifacts and inventions created by people of African descent, curated by Lady Sala S. Shabazz, Marlo Room, Farinon College Center
Saturday, March 31 – Association of Black Collegians’ Inaugural Student-Alumni Banquet, Bergethon Room, Marquis Hall. For tickets, call (610) 330-5036