Focus on the Arts is Theme for Black History Month Celebration

By Ken Keatley

     "Black Renaissance: A Celebration of Black History Through
the Arts" is the theme of Black History '95, a five-week series
of concerts, lectures, performances and other festivities that
will commemorate Black History Month at Hopkins.
     Launching the series will be an opening ceremony and
reception, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 2, at noon in the Glass
Pavilion, to be followed at 4 p.m. by a screening of the film
Imitation of Life, a drama about a black mother struggling with a
rebellious daughter. The screening will be held in the TV room in
AMR1.
     Among other highlights are a concert by the Georgia Sea
Island Singers on Feb. 4; a speech by Washington Post
correspondent and Eyes on the Prize author Juan Williams at the
Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation on Feb. 16; and a concert by
Ellis Larkins, a Baltimore-based jazz pianist, on Feb. 23.
     Series organizer Solome Abebe, events chair for the Black
Student Union, said the series is open to all members of the
Hopkins community, as well as the general public.
     "We want it to be both celebratory and educational," said
Abebe, a senior premed major. "One of the reasons all of the
events, except for one, are free is that we wanted to encourage
more participation in the community."
     Ralph Johnson, director of the Office of Multicultural
Student Affairs, said that some 5,000 brochures touting the
series are being distributed throughout Hopkins campuses.
     "It's important to emphasize that this isn't just for black
people," said Dr. Johnson, who serves as adviser to the Black
Student Union. "By recognizing the significant contributions
African Americans have made to American culture, it provides an
opportunity for cultural exchange and interaction for everyone at
Hopkins."
     Following is a listing of events scheduled for Black History
Celebration '95. For more information, call the Office of
Multicultural Student Affairs at 516-5435.


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"Black Renaissance: A Celebration 
of Black History through the Arts"
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Thursday, Feb. 2 -- Opening Ceremony and Reception
Noon, Glass Pavilion


Thursday, Feb. 2 -- Film: "Imitation of Life"
TV Room, AMR1, 4 p.m.
     An explosive and powerful drama about a black mother
struggling with a rebellious daughter who tries to pass for
white. (Sponsored by the Office of Residential Life)


Friday, Feb. 3 -- Spades Tournament/Social
9 p.m. to midnight, BSU Room, AMR2
     (Sponsored by the Gamma Mu Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho
Sorority Inc.)


Saturday, Feb. 4 -- Georgia Sea Island Singers
7 p.m., auditorium, 111 Mergenthaler
     Dressed in brilliant dashikis, the singers share their
stories along with a captivating history of the coastal islands
of Georgia and the lyrical Gullah language, bringing warmth and
joy to this dynamic cultural experience. Also featuring the JHU
Gospel Choir.


Wednesday, Feb. 8 -- "Come On Children, Let's Sing!"
8 p.m., Arellano Theater
     A one-woman show starring Charnita Edwards performing a
variety of gospel, classical and soul music.           


Thursday, Feb. 9 -- National Pan-Hellenic Council Showcase
7 p.m., Glass Pavilion
     This program will showcase the history of the eight
predominantly black fraternities and sororities. Reception to
follow. (Sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student
Affairs)


Saturday, Feb. 11 -- Apollo Night and Party
7 p.m., Arellano Theater


Monday, Feb. 13 -- NAACP Founders' Day Program
Speaker: Kobi Little -- 6 p.m., Garrett Room 
     (Sponsored by the JHU Chapter of the NAACP)


Wednesday, Feb. 15 -- Martin Luther King Jr. Candlelight Vigil
9 p.m., front of Shriver Hall 
     (Sponsored by the Sigma Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity Inc.)
                 

Thursday, Feb. 16 -- Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation
7 p.m., Shriver Auditorium
     Keynote speaker: Juan Williams, correspondent for the
Washington Post and author of Eyes on the Prize. Reception to
follow. (Sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student
Affairs)


Saturday, Feb. 18 -- Sankofa Dance Theatre
8 p.m., Shriver Auditorium
     Experience an evening of traditional African dance, music
and folklore of high energy and stunning artistry.
                 

Sunday, Feb. 19 -- Film: "Stormy Weather"
7 p.m., Shriver Auditorium
    This dazzling tribute to entertainer Bill "Bojangles"
Robinson highlights several decades of American song and dance,
and features performances by the very best of jazz greats,
including Lena Horne, Cab Calloway and Fats Waller.


Thursday, Feb. 23 _ Ellis Larkins in Concert
Noon, Friedberg Concert Hall, Peabody Conservatory of Music
   Ellis Larkins, a Baltimore-based jazz legend, is known
throughout the music world as "the connoisseur's jazz pianist."
                 

Thursday, Feb. 23 _ Film: The Piano Lesson
Saturday, Feb. 25        
and Sunday, Feb. 26 

8 p.m.--Thursday and Saturday
3 p.m.--Sunday 

Arellano Theater
Admission: $4 students/$6 general public
    A powerful and critically acclaimed drama about a boy's dream
to purchase land that his family had worked as slaves through the
sale of a family heirloom--an antique piano. But his sister
refuses to sell, clinging to it as a reminder of the history that
is the family legacy. Directed by Benedict Dorsey. 
(Sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs)


Tuesday, Feb. 28 -- Speaker: Jawanza Kunjufu
7 p.m., Shriver Auditorium
   The renowned educator, author and lecturer will speak on
"Lessons from History: A Celebration in Blackness."    


Wednesday, March 1 -- Kobi Little's Poetry Reading, featuring
black women writers
7 p.m., location to be announced
                 

Thursday, March 2 -- Fashion Show
7 p.m., Arellano Theater
     (Sponsored by the Hopkins Organization for Minority
Engineers and Scientists.)


Tuesday, March 7 -- David Kibuuka Art Show/Reception
4 to 6 p.m., Glass Pavilion
    The internationally acclaimed African artist will be  present
to discuss his artistic genius in oils, watercolor, acrylic and
pencil drawings. Opportunities to purchase his paintings, prints
and calendars will be available.

Saturday, March 11 -- Caribbean Cultural Society Dinner
7 p.m., location to be announced