Date: 01/26/00
1/26/00
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Michael Blackwell, director,UNI Center for Multicultural Education, (319) 273-2250
Guy Sims, assistant director/student activities, UNI Maucker Union (319) 273-2683
Vicki Grimes, UNI Office of Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
EDITOR'S NOTE: More events may be added as this celebration continues throughout February. Consult Michael Blackwell or Guy Sims for further information, or the Black History Month Web page at www.uni.edu/cme/ and select “Check our Files.”
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa—“Heritage and Horizons: The African-American Legacy and The Challenges of the 21st Century” is the theme for this year's Black History Month celebration on the University of Northern Iowa campus, where a wide variety of activities are scheduled throughout the month of February.
The celebration of Black History Month begins with Unity Day on Tuesday, Feb. 1, with the video “Color of Fear” presented from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Maucker Union State College Room. The “Color of Fear” explores race relations in America by filming a group of eight men of different races who talk together about how racism affects them. After the film, graduate student Heshimu Thomas will lead a dialogue on race relations based on audience reflections of the film. This event is sponsored by the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
On Wednesday, Feb. 2, Alpha Phi Alpha is sponsoring a Community Service Day with two events. “Alphas Promoting Literacy” will be held at Grant Elementary School, 9 a.m.-noon. A clothing drive will also be held all day in Maucker Union. In addition to these events, an informational meeting about Alpha Phi Alpha will be held at 9 p.m.
Also on Feb. 2, “The Importance of Studying African American Art Song” will be presented by Darryl Taylor, UNI assistant professor of music, at 7 p.m. in Seerley Hall, Room 115. This event is one in the UNI History Lecture Series, sponsored by Phi Theta Alpha history honor society and the UNI Department of History.
On Thursday, Feb. 3, Cultural Awareness Day, the African American Brain Bowl will be held at 7 p.m., in the State College Room, Maucker Union. This event is sponsored by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
On Friday, Feb. 4, there will also be an Alpha Phi Alpha Entertainment Day, in the Schindler Education Center Lobby, from 9 to 11 p.m. Admission to this event is a children's book.
Also on Feb. 4, Bobi Cespedes and the Conjunto Cespedes Afro-Cuban Big Band will perform at Russell Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. The 12 member Afro-Cuban big band stirs brass, guitar and Latin percussion into a mix of rumba, salsa, mambo, songo, son and Cuban jazz. Their recording of “Una Sola Casa” was named “Latin Album of the Year.” Part of the UNI Artists Series, tickets are $9 for students and $18 for the general public.
On Saturday, Feb. 5, Alpha Phi Alpha will sponsor Entertainment Day II, “Alpha Jam Fest,”
featuring DJ Iceberg, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., in Maucker Union Expansion. Admission to this event is $5, and attendees must be 18 or over.
On Wednesday, Feb. 9, the School of Music Black History Month Concert will feature Kevin
Maynor, bass, at 8 p.m., in Russell Auditorium. Maynor is the winner of a Fulbright Award and Richard Tucker Career Grant. He will make his debut at the Boston Lyric Opera as Aye in Akhnaten, a role that he will be performing at the New York City Opera before coming to UNI. There is no admission charge. This event is sponsored by the George Walker Society.
On Friday, Feb. 11, the UNI International Dance Theatre will perform at 7 p.m. on the Tama Hall stage at Hawkeye Community College. This event will feature ragtime music and storytelling.
On Sunday, Feb. 13, the Gospel Extravaganza Concert will perform at 7 p.m., in Maucker Union Expansion. The UNI Gospel Choir will be joined by other college gospel choirs for this performance.
On Wednesday, Feb. 16, Art Song and Artistry Series: An Evening of Spirituals will be performed in Russell Hall at 8 p.m. John Patton, Jr., co-star of the film adaptation of “The Color Purple,” will perform and Maleika Patterson, a local poet will read a composition that she wrote for the occasion. Other students also will perform. There is no admission charge for this event.
On Thursday, Feb. 17, the Core Ensemble will perform “Of Ebony Embers” at 7 p.m. The location for this event has yet to be determined.
Also on Feb. 17, “I Ain't Yo Uncle” will be performed at Strayer-Wood Theatre. A revisionist take on Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, the play challenges the stereotypes laid forth for a country to believe in. Directed by Tisch Jones, the play will run Feb. 17-20 and 24-27. For more information, contact Theatre UNI at (319) 273-6381.
On Saturday, Feb. 26, the Essence of Ebony Ball will be held in the Commons Ballroom. The time has yet to be announced. This event is sponsored by the Black Student Union.
On Feb. 29, Foreign Language Study Day will be held in Maucker Union, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The UNI Department of Modern Languages sponsors this date and features a foreign language talent sho. There will be booths representing areas of interest for students, including international study programs, employment opportunities and information specific to the study of several languages.
For more information, contact the Center for Multicultural Education at (319) 273-2250 or go its Website at www.uni.edu/cme.
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