WE WEAR THE MASK: Black Theatre in Newark & Near, From 1700s to 2012 - Newark Public Library

WE WEAR THE MASK: Black Theatre in Newark & Near, From 1700s to 2012

WE WEAR THE MASK:
Black Theatre in Newark & Near, From 1700s to 2012
curated by Sandra L. West

February 1 – March 24, 2012

Exhibition

Opening Reception

Schedule of Programs

Press Release
Programs are at the Main Library, 5 Washington Street, unless otherwise noted.

PNC Foundation is proud to support the Newark Public Library’s Black History Celebration.

Exhibition

February 1 through March 24, 2012

We Wear the Mask:
Black Theatre in Newark & Near, From 1700s to 2012
will be on view at the Main Library, Second Floor Gallery. Curated by Sandra West.

Guided tours of the exhibit will be offered on Tuesday, February 7; Wednesday, February 22;
and Thursday, March 8 at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m. To register for a tour, please call 973–733–5411.
Exhibit Opening and Reception

Langston, We Love You Madly!
Wednesday, February 1
Main Library, Centennial Hall, Second Floor
6:00 – 8:00 pm

The series kicks off with a February 1 exhibit opening and reception celebrating the birthday of poet and playwright Langston Hughes, a former Westfield, NJ resident, who debuted his 1930s play Black Nativity in Newark. Langston, We Love you Madly! will feature a talk by historian Dr. Wendell Holbrook, Associate Professor in the Department of African American Affairs, Rutgers University – Newark, and a performance by the Adelaide Drummers from the Dr. Adelaide Sanford Charter School in Newark. Clarence Ali, founder, Theatre of Universal Images will speak about Theatre in Newark and David Mills, a Hughes scholar/interpreter, will discuss The Art of Langston. Cynthia “Lady Rose” Roberson will sing the Negro National Anthem.

On February 1, patrons may park in Rutgers Lot 506 Essex St. for $4.25.
2012 Black History Celebration Programs
Saturday, February 4
North Jersey Philharmonic Glee Club sings The Sounds of Broadway
Main Library, Centennial Hall
12:00 – 3:00 pm

Wednesday, February 8
• Theatre in DVD Form: Plays of August Wilson and Plays of Lorraine Hansberry
Main Library, 4th Floor Auditorium
3:00 – 6:00 pm

• Speak Up & Get Out: Teen Dating Violence Awareness Film Tour with Jordan Coleman
Springfield Branch Library, 50 Hayes Street
5:00 pm
Screening of Payin’ The Price (HBO Best Feature Film winner 2011), a gripping film written and directed by teen Jordan Coleman. The film chronicles the story of Jazz, a high schooler, who is accused of brutally assaulting a girl. Jazz becomes the poster boy for teen dating violence as the film follows his arrest and trial.

Wednesday, February 15
• Meet the new faces of For Colored Girls!
Main Library, Centennial Hall
6:00 – 8:00 pm
A dramatic presentation/play excerpt/play discussion.

• Speak Up & Get Out: Teen Dating Violence Awareness Film Tour with Jordan Coleman
Weequahic Branch Library, 355 Osborne Terrace
5:00 pm
Screening of Payin’ The Price (HBO Best Feature Film winner 2011), a gripping film written and directed by teen Jordan Coleman. The film chronicles the story of Jazz, a high schooler, who is accused of brutally assaulting a girl. Jazz becomes the poster boy for teen dating violence as the film follows his arrest and trial.

Wednesday, February 22
• Frances E. W. Harper Literary Society: Keeping the Faith!
Main Library, Centennial Hall
6:30 pm
Guest Speakers: Joyce Simmons, President of Newark Branch of NAACP and Katherine Witcher, President of Irvington Branch of NAACP

• A celebration of the first anniversary of the W. E. B. Du Bois Reading Circle
Community Room, Weequahic Branch, 355 Osborne Terrace
6:00 – 8:00 pm
We welcome you to attend this anniversary meeting and read your favorite poem, short essay, or quote by an African American hero. We are reading and discussing Cross of Redemption by James Baldwin.

Wednesday, March 7
• Ethel Waters & Lena Horne, Black Ladies on White Broadway
Events run from 9 am to 8 pm in the James Brown African American Room and the 4th floor Auditorium, Main Library

9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Theatre in DVD Form: Cabin in the Sky and Pinky
Main Library, Fourth Floor Auditorium

2:00 – 4:00 pm
Pinky Under the Microscope
Main Library, James Brown African American Room
Class Facilitator: Dr. Linda Caldwell Epps, Seton Hall University
Please call 973–733–5411 to register.

6:00 – 8:00 pm
Donald Bogle on Waters & Horne (Talk/Video/Book Signing)
Main Library, Fourth Floor Auditorium

On March 7, patrons may park in Rutgers Lot 506 Essex St. for $4.25.

• Doc Gibbs: World of Percussion!
Vailsburg Branch Library, 75 Alexander Street
5:30 pm
Master percussionist Doc Gibbs will take the audience on an exciting journey to various countries through the power of drums and percussion.

Saturday, March 10
The State of Black Theatre
Main Library, Centennial Hall
12:00 – 3:00 pm
A Conversation with Amiri Baraka, playwright: Stephen McKinley Henderson, actor: Woodie King Jr., theatre producer: Marie Thomas, actor: moderator Philip Thomas, Executive Director, Newark Symphony Hall.

Wednesday, March 14
Doc Gibbs: World of Percussion!
•Main Library, Centennial Hall
10:30 am
Master percussionist Doc Gibbs will take the audience on an exciting journey to various countries through the power of drums and percussion.

•Springfield Branch Library, 50 Hayes Street
5:30 pm
Master percussionist Doc Gibbs will take the audience on an exciting journey to various countries through the power of drums and percussion.

All programs are free and open to the public.

For more information or to arrange a tour of the exhibit, please call 973–733–5411. In case of inclement weather, please call 973 –733–7800 (Main Library), 973–733–7751 (Weequahic Branch), 973 –733–7755 (Vailsburg Branch), or 973 –733–7736 (Springfield Branch) to determine whether the Library is open.