
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, October 6, 1995                   TAG: 9510060026
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: STACY JONES
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

THE TIPOFF

FOOLS IN LOVE: Cupid misfires quite a few times in Shakespeare's ``A Midsummer Night's Dream,'' but in the end true love scores a number of bulls-eyes. Hollins College Theatre tries its hand at the dreamy classic in a production opening Thursday and continuing through Saturday. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for students, senior citizens and children. 362-6517.

WHAT A WINDBAG: But only because he's from Chicago and happens to be a prolific poet. He is Quraysh Ali, who will be the guest poet tonight at the Harrison Museum as part of its ``Voice of A People: Poetry Performances By African American Writers'' series. Ali has had works appear in a variety of publications, theatrical outlets and on National Public Radio. Local poets will complete the program, after which there will be a ``Meet the Artist'' reception. The show begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free. The reception is also a kick-off for the museum's new exhibit, ``Corridor To Africa'' which opens today and runs through Dec. 30. Call 345-4818.

RETURN OF A NATIVE: Local boy leaves home, does good - really good - and returns to share his knowledge. Former Roanoker Brent Staples will speak tonight at 7 in Roanoke College's Olin Hall. A member of the New York Times editorial board, he will discuss his acclaimed memoir, ``Parallel Time: Growing Up in Black and White.'' The book chronicles Staples' transition from a world of drugs and violence to an insulated, mostly white, world of achievers - while a younger brother was on the fast track to death as a drug dealer. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Call 375-2333.

DON'T FENCE ME IN: The urge to put individuals in a box is a hard one to suppress. The same goes for music. Saturday night, resist the impulse and take in a World Music Dance Party at the Coffee Pot. Pascal Bokar, a guitarist/vocalist from Senegal, will perform his distinctive brand of music, which critics have had a hard time defining though most agree that it sounds pretty good. The show starts at 9 p.m. Admission is $4. Call 774-8256.

TREASURED TRACKS: You don't have to be in Mensa to figure out where train enthusiasts will be spending the weekend. They will be at the Virginia Museum of Transportation to take part in the 1995 Roanoke Railway Festival. The celebration begins tonight at 7 with the unveiling of the display of the Class J No. 611 steam locomotive. An art exhibit and live music will be a part of the fun. Saturday, the festival, held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., will be in full swing with a collector's fair, an antique auto show, bluegrass music, hobo stew and the opening of the Museum's resource library. Most of the activities continue on Sunday from noon-5 p.m. Admission fees apply to some events. Call 342-5670.

CENTER OF ATTENTION: The early bird gets the worm - or, in this case, tickets to the annual big-deal party, Affair in the Square, being held next Saturday, Oct. 14. A perennial sell-out, this year's fund-raising gala at Center in the Square will offer a different style of music on each floor, including rhythm and blues, swing, folk and jazz. Rooftop dancing and gourmet foods are added attractions. Tickets are $35 per person and are available at all Davidsons locations and at Mill Mountain Theatre. Black-tie is optional. Call 343-2441 or 342-5740.

by CNB