Community 44 In Living Color" Star Davidson Appreciates the Arts A Actor comes to promote arts in Winston-Salem By DAVID L. DILLARD CktimicU Suff Writer Tommy Davidson, the hilarious comedian from TV's "In Living Color," says he has always had an appreciation for the arts. "Ait is inspiring to me and to us all," Davidson said. "It helps to bring us together in love, and through artistic expression and cre ativity, we can save each other's lives." He said the arts are an impor tant aspect of life because it allows people to express themselves, and it creates unity among people. Davidson joined actor/director Robert Townsend last Friday night at a special comedy performance at the Benton Convention Center to help promote the arts in Winston Salem. Davidson, who is currently making appearances at smaller venues throughout the summer, said he was a little nervous about his first appearance in Winston-Salem. "Every time I step on stage I'm nervous," he said. "Because every audience is different, and you learn from them." Davidson started his career seven years ago doing stand-up comedy in a topless bar. With the encouragement of friends and his desire to "want more out of life," he started opening shows for major stars like Patti LaBelle, Anita Baker, Luther Van dross, A1 Jarreau and Kenny G. Since then, Davidson has made appearances on "The Robert Townsend Special," MTV, and the movie "Strictly Business." Davidson said he is very selec tive in the roles he chooses but he feels minorities are being more accurately portrayed. ' "You can make your own image. That's the beauty of this business," he said. "1 think our images today are more positivE We still have those negative elements, but the individual can take it as far as his own consciousness goes." - Davidson said he plans to remain on "In Living Color" next season, while continuing to do HBO specials and movie appearances. Comedian Tommy Davidson performed at Benton Covention Center. Rosebuds Present "Petals of Spring" (L to r.) Front row: Tonya Gentry , Tori Richardson , Kellie Hash , Dominique Benson , Jean nine Mauney, Maris sa Moore, Tarn Bray boy, TeniUe Richardson , Kimberly Davis , Benita Ruffin ; Second row: Elijah Beaty , Xmm Sharp*, Dwight Hash , Phillip Stafford, Johnny Sigen, John Forte; Third row: Jonathan Sadler, Geoffrey Williams, Robert Cheek, Michael Branch . WSSU Band Gears Up for Aloha Fest The Rosebuds of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority held their third "Petals of Spring Cotillion" on June 4 at the Sawtooth Center. Ten young ladies and their marshals were pre sented as the culmination of this year's sessions. Participants were: Dominique Benson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Benson, and her marshal, Jonathan Sadler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Melton Sadler, Tara Bray boy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Brayboy, and her marshal, Johnny Sigers, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Sigers; Kimberly Davis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Davis, and her marshal, Elijah Beaty, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Beaty; Tonya Gentry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Troy Gentry, and her marshal, Geof frey Williams, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Williams; Kellie Hash and her marshal Dwight Hash, daughter and son of Mr. and Mrs. Letcher Hash; Jeannine Mauney, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Mauney, and her marshal, Phillip Stafford, son of Wanda Stafford; Marissa Moore, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Moore,, and her marshal, John Forte, son of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Forte; Tenille and Tori Richardson, daugh ters of Mr. and Mrs. Toby Richard son, and their marshals, Robert Cheek, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cheek, and Kenta Sharpe, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kim Sharpe; and Benita Ruffin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Ruffm, and her marshal, Michael Branch, son of Dr. and Mrs. James Branch. Marissa Moore was chosen "Miss Personality." Tori Richardson was chosen "Miss Congeniality." Elijah Beaty and Michael Branch received awards for "Outstanding Marshal 1993.M This year's officers were Dominique Benson, president; Kim berly Davis, vice president; Marissa Moore, secretary; Benita Ruffin, assistant secretary; and Tori Richardson, treasurer. Sorer Larnet tra Richardson is advisor. Soror Ida Michael is co-advisor. Tenille Richardson is the reign ing "Miss International Rosebud 1992-94." _ rrar ik uampoei District Agent ThePrudential Suite K. 8100 North Pant BM3 Winston-Satem. r^JC 27106 W-S 919-759-1080 Grt? 919656-7298 A Band members trying to raise money for expenses By DAVID L. DILLARD Chronic U Suff Writer An invitation to strut its stuff at the famous Aloha Festival has sent members of the high-stepping WSSU Marching Rams Band, con sidered one of the best among the C1AA schools, into a fund-raising frenzy to come up with the S 100,000 they need to make the Honolulu trip in September. "By far, this will be a fabulous experience for the band, its mem bers and all of WSSU," said Sanders Milligan, WSSU's new band director. The Aloha Festival ? now in its 46th year ? is one of the pre mier events of its kind, a Mardi Gras-type affair that attracts revel ers from all over the country and the world. An invitation to the festival was extended to Milligan by Uni versity of Hawaii band director Cook-off to Benefit Black -Colleges ' ? The United Negro College Fund will sponsor "100 Men Who Cook" on June 26 at the Piedmont Aviation. Beechcraft Hangar, located at 3821 Liberty St. The 100 men who will partici pate in the event, from 5-8 p.m., will serve their favorite recipes of meats, seafoods, vegetables, salads, desserts and breads. Admission to the event is SI 5 per person. Proceeds will benfefit the 41 UNCF member colleges, six of which are in North Carolina. Tom Bingham, who also offered WSSU a featured-guest spot at half time for Hawaii's football game against Kent State University on Sept. 18. Governor Jim Hunt wrote Mil ligan and band members in late May to say how pleased he was that the band had been asked to perform during the festival and at half-time. ."It is because of a distin guished reputation that you have been given this extraordinary opportunity, and 1 encourage you to make the most of this trip," Hunt wrote. "Your hours of practice, preparation and dedication to your music are about to pay off. I am proud of each one of you and know that you will be a worthy represen tative of the State of North Car olina." On weekends, band members and members of the band's booster club, WSSU Band "Special Friends," have been working con cession outlets at city-owned facili ties for a percentage of the food and beverage sales. The group has also raised money by selling doughnuts and raffle tickets. The band has adopted the new appellation "Marching Earth Shak ers," as one indication of Milligaris vision for the band. Milligan has booked dates for the band to appear at professional football games with the Washington Redskins, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons. Milligan arrived on campus last fall from Bowie State Univer sity where he was band director. He has more than two decades of experience in band and holds a degree in instrumental music from Florida A&M University and a master's degree in band administra tion and supervision from Coppin State College in Baltimore. "I expect to have more than 200 band members and additional staff within the next few years," Milligan says. "This is just the beginning." ' s- .-.vV . ; ^:Yi^5w5y^?MS?^x3?iySx65i6?fl - ^?Ma ;--\-^-.V. ?WWWl 27102 % \f WPIS^^E^ IfiSH?#'1 m ^mmm^ - . s * ^ % r S ^ v% i w>^&% ipf^p &?JyttHHSjg? Hi Single Copy 75# Mall Subscription Rates (peyaMewHh ordvr) In County 2 years $40.95 1 yea r 30.72 6 mo* 20.48 3 mo? 10.24 Out of County /St at* 2 years $45.95 1 year 35.72 6 moi 25 48 3 mo# 15.24 ? Vet. please send me the Chronica. Name ____________________ Address City St. Zip. Check endosed for ? 2 years ? 1 year ? 6 month* ? 3 month* Mail to: Winston- Salem Chronicle P.O. Box 1636 Winston-Salem, N.C 27102 The Wlntton-Sslem Chronic !? is published every Thursday by the Winston-Salem Chronicle Publishing Co. Inc., 617 N. Liberty St. Mailing sddress: PO. 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