For immediate release — Aug. 18, 2010
(DALLAS) — Tulisoma — “we read” in Swahili — brings together avid readers, authors, artists and community members every year in Dallas to celebrate the South Dallas Book Fair and Arts Festival. The eighth annual event will be held Aug. 27-29, 2010, at the African-American Museum at Fair Park (and several other locations for additional programs that are part of the three-day celebration).
Book readings, storytelling, writing workshops, spoken word poetry, panel discussions, performances, a new event called “Sweet Talk” (a sweet potato pie contest) and the annual Sunday Gospel Brunch are all part of this free three-day event. More than 30 local and regional authors are participating, and books and merchandise will be sold during the event.
The festivities begin on Friday, Aug. 27, with the Heart and Soul Tour of South Dallas historical sites and landmarks, led by Dallas Councilmember Carolyn R. Davis. Persons interested in this event must register by Monday, Aug. 23; call (214) 926-3799 or send an e-mail to
gaytha.davis@dallascityhall.com for more information. The tour leaves City Hall Plaza at 1:45 p.m. that day.
Among the activities this year is a “mini” African American Read-In presented by the Dallas County Community College District, which has organized a citywide literacy event for more than a decade; the district is also a Tulisoma sponsor this year. DCCCD’s “mini” read-in at Tulisoma will be held on Saturday, Aug. 28, from 1 to 2 p.m. in the downstairs auditorium of the African-American Museum at Fair Park.
The event will feature DCCCD employee and dramatist Elizabeth Sheppard; visiting artist Leena Conquest; musicians William Hibler and Kris Ray, who both participated in the 2010 DCCCD citywide read-in; young poet David Radcliff; award-winning poet and North Lake College student Nkonyezi Nanyamka, who will perform an original work; and soul and gospel singer Paris Greer. The read-in will close with some comic relief: “Them’s Laughing Words: The Comedy of Marvin Michaels.” All performers, in keeping with the DCCCD read-in’s goal to promote literacy, will discuss the importance of reading, writing and pursuing an education not only in their lives but also in their artistic careers.