Purdue News

January 22, 1999 BCC lists spring cultural arts events WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The spring semester Cultural Arts Series presented by Purdue University's Black Cultural Center includes five events in conjunction with Black History Month in February. The Black History Month keynote speaker, Runoko Rashidi, will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3. Rashidi, an African history research specialist and writer from San Antonio, Texas, will discuss "Looking at Australia Through African Eyes." Rashidi and Ivan Van Sertima co-authored "Introduction to the Study of African Classical Civilizations." Rashidi also is the editor of "The African Presence in Early Asia," and he has written more than 200 published articles. His free lecture will be in Room 218, Stewart Center. "Blues Women Don't Wear No Shoes," a one-woman play performed by Reane McNeil, from Imani Revelation production company in Erie, Ill., will be presented at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, in Fowler Hall, Stewart Center. The play is about six black women who address pressing social issues including racism, sexism, homelessness, AIDS and domestic violence. Admission is free. "The IU Soul Revue," a student performing arts group from Indiana University, will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, at Fowler Hall, Stewart Center. The group is devoted to preserving and promoting the traditions of urban black popular music. The group has developed a repertoire of rhythm and blues, soul, funk, top 40 and contemporary jazz-fusion works. The event is free and open to the public. "The IU Soul Revue" is sponsored by Afro-American Arts Institute on the IU-Bloomington campus. Fiction writer Edward Jones from the Washington, D.C., area will read from his original work "Lost in the City" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, in the Bookstall of the Purdue Undergraduate Library. "Lost in the City" is a book containing 14 stories of African-American life in Washington. Jones' stories have been published in Callaloo, Queen's Quarterly, The Paris Revue, Essence magazine and the Washington Post Magazine. Admission is free. The BCC Coffee House on Friday, Feb. 26, will highlight three of the Black Cultural Center's performing arts ensembles: the Haraka Writers, Jahari Dance Troupe and the New Directional Players. "A Jazzy '70s Time" will be presented at 7 p.m. at Fowler Hall, Stewart Center. Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for the public, and may be purchased the evening of the show at the Loeb Box Office. Known as the "self-esteem doctor," motivational speaker Jewel Diamond Taylor from Chino Hills, Calif., will present a free lecture at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, in the North Ballroom of the Purdue Memorial Union. Taylor has written articles on the subject of self-empowerment for Essence, Heart and Soul and Upscale magazines. The Black Cultural Center will sponsor a bus trip to the Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne campus for "An Evening With Spike Lee" on Monday, March 21. Lee, a film producer, writer and director, will lecture at the Gates Sports Center. Admission to the event is free. Bus transportation will cost $5 per person. For schedule information, call the BCC at (765) 494-3091. At 7 p.m. Thursday, March 25, Chicago, Ill., poet Sporty King will take an inspirational look at self-esteem with a poetry reading of his original works entitled "Spoetry: Life ... love ... and laughter." This free event will be in Stewart Center, Room 206. The BCC's Haraka Writers will read original poetry and discuss issues and events related to the new millennium during Haraka Fest: "Image-nation" at 7 p.m. Friday, March 26, at Matthews Hall, Room 210. Admission is free. A panel discussion entitled "Creative Production of Toni Morrison: Preservation of African-American Culture and History" will find a group of graduate students examining and discussing the writings of that African-American novelist at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 1. In addition, BCC Librarian Dorothy Ann Washington will discuss the Afro-centric approach to literary criticism. Both events at the Black Cultural Center are free and open to the public. "A Tribute to Motown" is the theme of the Black Voices of Inspiration's spring concert. The choir will sing at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 3, at Loeb Playhouse, Stewart Center. Tickets may be purchased at the Loeb Box Office. Admission is $5 for students, $7 for the public. The New Directional Players will showcase the contributions of young African-American men and women in the troupe's spring production at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 11, in Fowler Hall, Stewart Center. Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for the public, and may be purchased the evening of the show at the Loeb Box Office. The Jahari Dance Troupe concludes the Cultural Arts Series for the 1998-99 school year. The performance, "Summer Dance Happenings," will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at Fowler Hall, Stewart Center. The dance extravaganza is dedicated to the souls of the inner city and their summer days. Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for the public, and may be purchased the evening of the show at the Loeb Box Office. CONTACT: Renee Thomas, Black Cultural Center director, (765) 494-3091; e-mail, rathomas@hfs.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page