March 28, 2008

Haraka Fest April 10-11 at Purdue's Black Cultural Center

Khari Bowden, BCC artist in residence who has been working with the writers and coordinated the event, says it will feature group writing and a recital. The event, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. both days, is free and open to the public.

"While in past years we have showcased the individual talent and power of our communal members, this year we embrace a greater collectiveness," he said. "Haraka Fest will be a celebration of commonalities and the power that lies in family, cohesive work and responsibility, and in the energy of many voices speaking as one."

Without giving away too much, this time we move as one voice, many minds and a single pen."

JoBeth Robison, student coordinator for Haraka, said it will be a group-oriented work with a few individual performances. "We are doing three large pieces: Family, relationship and spirituality, and all three require a photo from everyone (performers) that we will use in slide show fashion," she said. "The overall theme is examining people and their personal relations."

Bowden has worked with Haraka Writers for the past four years. He also has worked with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, a consortium of musicians in Chicago that promotes and develops modern African-American music. He has been featured in the Illinois Arts Council and performed in the Sons of d'hiver Festival in Paris.

Haraka Writers, one of four performing arts ensembles from the BCC, is a group of writers committed to literary expression of the black experience. This Black Cultural Center ensemble began in 1973 under the name Creative Writers Workshop. Five years later the name was changed to Haraka, a Swahili word meaning "expression."

Writer: Greg McClure, (765) 494-9394, gmcclure@purdue.edu

Sources: Renee Thomas, (765) 494-3091, rathomas@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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