Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 3, 1991 TAG: 9102010355
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: DONNA ALVIS NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Haley, best known for his biographical best seller, "Roots," will speak Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Virginia Tech's Burruss Auditorium. The production based on Haley's book will be shown Tuesday and again Feb. 13 and 21 at 7 p.m. in Ambler Johnston Hall.
On March 12, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks will speak at 7:30 p.m. in Radford University's Preston Auditorium. Brooks, who succeeded the late Carl Sandburg when she was named poet laureate of Illinois in 1968, has written more than 15 books, including a novel, poetry collections and a children's book.
A variety of visual and performing artists will visit the universities throughout the month, as well. Guest performances by the renowned Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Modern Jazz Quartet, J. Plunky Branch & Oneness, actor Roger Smith and rap groups Poor Righteous Teachers and Freshco & Miz are scheduled.
In addition, students and faculty members at both universities have planned activities aimed at bringing the campus communities together for observances of Black History Month. Several events are co-sponsored by supporting community organizations such as the Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley in Pulaski and the Blacksburg Regional Art Association.
For information on events at Virginia Tech, call 231-7518. At Radford University, the information numbers are 831-5389 or 831-5226.
Here is the schedule of upcoming activities for February and March:
\ Tuesday: "Roots," 7 p.m., West Ambler Johnston TV Lounge, Virginia Tech. Repeat showings, Feb. 13 and 21. Sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta. Free. Information, 231-7518.
\ Wednesday: "Master Harold . . . and the Boys," 7:30 p.m. Burruss Hall. Virginia Tech Union Lively Arts Entertainment Series. Production by Asolo Theatre Company of Sarasota, Fla. Drama by Athol Fugard set in South Africa in 1950. $14, public; $11, Virginia Tech faculty and staff; $4, Tech students. Tickets on sale at the box office in University Bookstore.
\ Thursday: "Black Down Memory Lane: A Tribute to Motown," sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha. 7 p.m., McBryde 100, Virginia Tech. Students portraying popular Motown groups will lip-sync oldies. Free. Information, 231-7518.
\ Friday: J. Plunky Branch & Oneness, 8 p.m., Preston Auditorium, Radford University. An evening of modern jazz featuring world-class saxophonist J. Plunky Branch, sponsored by the Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley, the Virginia Commission for the Arts and Pulaski County. $5, adults; $2.50, students. Information, 831-5420 or 980-7363.
\ Saturday: Black history month jazz concert, 8 p.m. Donaldson Brown Auditorium, Virginia Tech. The Joe Kennedy Jr. Quartet will play styles from Bach to bop. $5. Information, 231-5200.
\ Feb. 12: Roger Smith, who plays the black history professor on the television sitcom "Different World," and was Smiley in the motion picture "Do the Right Thing," portrays anti-slavery activist Frederick Douglass. 8 p.m., Preston Auditorium, Radford University. Free with RU I.D.; $2, others.
\ Feb. 14: The Duke Ellington Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Burruss Hall, Virginia Tech. Conducted by Mercer Ellington, son of the late Duke Ellington, the orchestra will play the Big Band classics. $14, public; $11, Virginia Tech faculty and staff; $4, Tech students. Tickets available at the box office in University Bookstore. Virginia Tech Union Lively Arts Entertainment Series show. Ticket information, 231-5661.
\ Feb. 14: Maki Mandela, 8 p.m. Preston Auditorium, Radford University. The oldest daughter of Nelson Mandela, Maki Mandela was 9 years old when her father was imprisoned for his participation in the African National Congress. Mandela will lecture on apartheid policy in South Africa. Sponsored by the Black Awareness Programming Board. $3, public; free, RU ID.
\ Feb. 15: Annual Blockshow by Radford University's black Greek organizations. The blockshow highlights the university's annual Minority Recruitment Weekend Feb. 14-15. The weekend is designed to help minority high school students better prepare for college life with a variety of information programs and the opportunity to attend actual classes in session.
\ Feb. 16: Concert, 8 p.m., Dedmon Center, Radford University, featuring rhythm and blues group Today, hip-hop rap group Poor Righteous Teachers and the rap group Freshco & Miz. Advance tickets: $10 with RU ID; $12 with other college ID; $15 for general public. All tickets are $15 on the day of the show.
\ Feb. 17: Opening of Juan Logan paintings exhibit, "Soldiers for Common and Uncommon Wars," at Armory Art Gallery. Lecture, 3-4 p.m. Donaldson Brown Auditorium. Sponsored by the Black History Month Committee at Virginia Tech and the Blacksburg Regional Art Association. Gallery is at 201 Draper Road, Blacksburg. Hours, Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Free.
\ Feb. 22: Bid Whist Tournament, 5:30 p.m. Wesley Foundation multipurpose room, Virginia Tech. Participants may play with or without a partner. $1, registration fee. Registration, 552-2827.
\ Feb. 23: African Awareness Festival, noon-5 p.m., Heth Ballroom, Radford University. Displays and sales of Afro-American art, clothing, jewelry and more.
\ Feb. 25: The Modern Jazz Quartet, 8 p.m. Preston Auditorium, Radford University. $8, adults; $2, children; free, RU ID.
\ Feb. 28: Alex Haley, author of "Roots," will speak at 7:30 p.m. Burruss Auditorium, Virginia Tech. Lecture sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha, the Black Student Alliance and the Black Faculty and Staff Caucus. Free. Information, 231-7518.
\ March 2: "Ebony and Ivory" annual dance to promote campus unity. Live entertainment by Midnight Masquerade. 8 p.m., Heth Ballroom, Radford University.
\ March 5: Storyteller Mary Carter Smith, 7:30 p.m., Heth Lounge A and B, Radford University.
\ March 12: Gwendolyn Brooks, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, will read from her works at 7:30 p.m. in Radford University's Preston Auditorium. Free. Sponsored by the Center for Academic Enrichment and the university's Special Projects Committee.
by CNB