Black Cultural Center announces spring Cultural Arts Series

January 19, 2011

'A Fishing Party,' an acrylic by Preston Jackson.

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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The spring Cultural Arts Series at Purdue University's Black Cultural Center will include lectures, art exhibitions, a heritage tour, film, community dialogues and artistic performances.

"We are confident that this spring's slate of events features something for everyone in the community, and we encourage participation by all," said center director Renee Thomas. "The calendar includes the artistic, literary and cultural richness of African-Americans. The series is designed to increase awareness, understanding and appreciation of African-Americans and their culture."

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Upcoming events include:

* Jan. 21 through March 19. Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, 102 S. 10th St., Lafayette. "Parallel Narratives" features two artists, Preston Jackson and Joyce Owens. Jackson is a professor of sculpture at the Art Institute of Chicago. Owens is curator at the galleries programs at Chicago State University. Also in the exhibition will be "New Visions: Emerging African-American Women Artists," featuring the work of Purdue alumna Saade Taylor, master of fine arts student LaToya Hobbs and undergraduate Channie Jones. The exhibitions are presented in cooperation with the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette. The opening reception will be at 6 p.m. Friday (Jan. 21).

* Feb. 1. 7 p.m. Fowler Hall, Stewart Center. Black History Month keynote speech. Ta-Nehisi Coates, senior editor at Atlantic magazine, will share his personal story about reclaiming the narrative of African-Americans and the American Civil War. He is the creator of a Civil War research circle and book club. He is the author of the memoir "A Beautiful Struggle."

Darryl Scriven

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* Feb. 9. 7 p.m. Fowler Hall, Stewart Center. BCC Alumni Speaker Series. Darryl Scriven, co-founder of the African-American Family Enrichment Institute, will talk about the "State of the Black College Student." Scriven, a professor of philosophy at Tuskegee (Ala.) University, received his doctorate from Purdue.

* Feb. 26. 7 p.m. Stewart Center, Room 302. "Black Purdue" and "THINKFAST." "Black Purdue," a documentary film that explores the African-American presence at Purdue beginning in 1894, will be shown. Following the film, audience members will participate in a Black History Month trivia game show. The winning team will be awarded a $500 cash prize. The Purdue Black Alumni Organization is a co-sponsor.

* March 1. 1 p.m. Black Cultural Center. Difficult Dialogues on Race and Popular Culture. Discussion will focus on media representations and how they affect cultural understanding, help create stereotypes and how they can be used to help educate and teach diversity. This is co-sponsored by American Studies.

* March 5. BCC and Purdue's Native American Educational and Cultural Center African and Native American Heritage Tour. Participants will visit the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis to view "Red/Black: Related Through History." The exhibition explores historic ties and interactions of African and Native Americans. Participants also will attend the theatrical production "Neat," by Charlayne Woodard, at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. The evening will conclude with a soul food dinner. Cost, which includes transportation, admission fees and dinner, is $25 for students and $50 for the general public. Registration deadline is Feb. 11.

* March 9. 2 p.m. Black Cultural Center. Black Thought Collective Spring Symposium will be led by scholar-in-residence Casarae Gibson.

* March 25-26. 7 p.m. each evening. Black Cultural Center. Haraka Fest. Students will perform poetry under the direction of Khari Bowden.

* April 3. 3 p.m. Loeb Playhouse, Stewart Center. The Black Voices of Inspiration will perform its spring concert. The director is Twana Harris. Admission is $5 for students and $7 for the general public.

* April 5. 1 p.m. Black Cultural Center. Difficult Dialogues on Race and Popular Culture.

* April 8-9. 7 p.m. each evening. Black Cultural Center. The New Directional Players will present its spring production. The director is Kecha Kambe.

* April 16. 7 p.m. Loeb Playhouse, Stewart Center. The Jahari Dance Troupe's Spring Revue will be directed by K. Iega Jeff. Special guests will be the Tippecanoe Arts Federation After School Art Program-Hip-Hop Class. Admission is $5 for students and $7 for the general public.

Writer:  Greg McClure, 765-496-9711, gmcclure@purdue.edu 

Source:  Renee Thomas, 765-494-3091, rathomas@purdue.edu