For immediate release — Feb. 1, 2010
(DALLAS) — Sometimes writers listen to beat of a different drum. They tell stories, visit foreign lands (and even outer space) through their words, or they share history, people’s achievements and reminders that explain how the past affects the future.
Those journeys — history, art, literature and dreams — are part of the legacy of the Dallas County Community College District’s 2010 African American Read-In. During the two-hour program on Sat., Feb. 6, printed words come to life as readers and performers share the works of African American authors with young and old alike. The free event, which is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre in downtown Dallas, takes the audience on a journey that stresses the importance of literacy and reading.
Featured presenter Cora Coleman-Dunham hears the beat of that drum...literally. The author of G.A.G.U. is a renowned percussionist as well; she plays with Prince as a drummer and has worked with Pink, Lalah Hathaway, Zac Harmon, Tom Schuman, Brian Culbertson, Richard Smallwood and others. A performer on the two-disc DVD titled Kick Snare, Hat: The Superstars of Hip-Hop Drumming, Coleman-Dunham also has devoted her time to others through writing G.A.G.U, an interactive workbook that is a life guide for all young people.
G.A.G.U. explores options that young people can choose after high school and encourages them to get in the habit of learning for the sake of their overall growth in preparation for adulthood. Some of the options that Coleman-Dunham explores in the book include college, trade school, the work force and the military. Through the text, the author addresses real-life responsibilities that school doesn’t always cover…establishing credit, buying a car, getting a passport understanding finances and other areas.
A sense of history is written into the pre-show and main show during the readings, and audience members also will see history in action through the American Legacy Mobile Museum Tour, which will visit the read-in site on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. The mobile museum is an interactive, traveling exhibit of African-American history that focuses on the milestones and newsmakers of the 20th century. Children and families who attend the DCCCD read-in are welcome to tour the museum free that day. The American Legacy Mobile Museum also will welcome visitors during three other visits in the Dallas area during February:
- Sun., Feb. 7, at the African American Museum in Fair Park, 3536 Grand Ave., Dallas, from 12 to 4 p.m. This exhibition is underwritten in part by Dallas African-American Philanthropists (DAAP);
- Mon., Feb. 8, at DCCCD’s Mountain View College (west campus parking lot), located at 4849 W. Illinois Ave., Dallas, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and
- Tues., Feb. 9, at DCCCD’s Richand College (East Circle Drive), 12800 Abrams Rd., Dallas, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Performances and works also will be presented by Alice Childress, Buster Spiller, Paula Sanders, Elizabeth Sheppard, Leo Hassan, Alejandro Perez Jr., Hill Harper, Chinua Achebe, Osley Cook Jr. and The Alumni, O.W. Holmes Drumline, William Hibler, DFW Poetry SLAM, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, New Arts Six, Act of Change, Kris Ray, W.E. Greiner Academy Dance Group, Michael Guinn, plus the annual
Writer’s Walk.
This year’s production, titled "Leaders are Readers!", is directed by Buster Spiller and written by Paula Sanders. The event’s stage manager is Lewis Gines.
All audience members will receive a free book, tote bag and T-shirt that celebrates the read-in.
Sponsors for the 2010 DCCCD African American Read-In are
American Legacy Magazine, Barnes and Noble,
Black Business Directory, City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, Dallas Children’s Theater, Dallas Public Library,
The Dallas Weekly, The Downtown Business News, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Harlem Book Fair, Holt McDougal, Jokae’s African American Books, K104-FM/KRNB-FM/KKDA-AM, McDonald’s, Millennium Motor Cars, NTheKnow.com, National Council of Teachers of English/Black Caucus, Perfection Learning, Real Men Cook Dallas,
Heart & Soul Magazine and Scholastic and TeCo Theatrical Productions.
For more information, visit http://www.dcccd.edu/ReadIn or contact Allison Neal, event manager, at (214) 378-1824. Questions can be directed to the committee at
AARIsteering@dcccd.edu.
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Press contact: Ann Hatch
214-378-1819;
ahatch@dcccd.edu