Profile: Diahann
Carroll, Lifelong
Achievement
Award recipient
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Diahann Carroll is one of the indus
try's most enduring entertainers.
In a career that spans half a century,
Carroll has won a Golden Globe, a Tony,
and been nominated for an Emmy, Gram
my and an Academy Award.
Her television work goes back to the
1960s when she was cited for stellar work
in the series "Naked City." In 1968, Car
roll became the first black actress in tele
vision history to star in her own series,
"Julia," for NBC, which soared to the top
of the Nielsen ratings. Carroll received
an Emmy nomination for Best Actress for
her first season Qn the series. She was
nominated for an Emmy again in 1989 for'
her role as Whit
ley s mother on
the NBC series
"A Different
World."
In 1984 Car
roll became the
first black actress
in a continuing
starring role on
"Dynasty," which
is still in syndica
tion all around the
world.
Her film work
includes "Clau
flinp " "fnr u hii-h vh
Carroll
o ror-.Mi/oH o 1Q7A Dori
Actress Academy Award nomination. Her
other film credits include "Paris Blues,"
co-starring Paul Newman and Sidney
Poitier; "Carmen Jones"; "I Know Why
the Caged Bird Sings"; "Huny Sundown";
"The Split"; and "Porgy & Bess."
Carroll made her Broadway stage
debut starring in Harold Arlen and Truman
Capote's "House of Flowers." She won
her Tony for Richard Rodgers' "No
Strings."
She has continued to have success on
stage. She returned to Broadway in 1983
in "Agnes of God." In 1990 she co-starred
with Paul Winfield in the Los Angeles
production of "Love Letters."
In 1995 she starred as Norma Desmond
in the Toronto premiere of Andrew Lloyd
' Webber's "Sunset Boulevard" at the Ford
Centre for the Performing Arts Her per
formance has been hailed as "the ultimate
Norma Desmond" by the news media.
In recent years, Carroll has starred in
"Living for Love: The Natalie Cole Story."
"The Vagina Monologues." "Having Our
I Say." "The Courage to Love," "Eve's
Bayou," and 'The Sweetest Gift. "
Carroll is also a champion of such
I causes as breast cancer research and has ,i
successful fashion line that sells on QVC
in specialized stores ground the country.
? _ t _ .. a- . j
1 Trade Street: Avenue of the Arts and much more
CHRONIC! } START- REPORT
Take a quick stroll down Trade
Street and you will immediately
understand why it has been dubbed
Winston-Salem's "Avenue of the
Arts." In the past five years. Trade
Street has experienced a metamor
phosis. In the 1960s and 1970s, it,
like much of downtown, was the
center of the city, filled with popu
lar shops and other attractions.
Downtown and Trade Street
Trade Street is home to the city
fell into disrepair in the 1980s and
'90s as malls and shopping centers
became more popular. Until
recently, much of Trade Street was
an eyesore, buildings were run
down, and drugs and prostitution
were problems.
The arts have had a profound
effect on the street. Art galleries
have sprung up like lilies on Trade
Street. The galleries feature all
kinds of art, from paintings and
sculptures to pottery and multi
media works.
There are galleries along the
street that specialize in African art.
One of the longest-standing gal
leries on Trade Street is Artifacts
Shona Sculptures and Imports, a
gallery owned by Anthony Cath
cart that features a variety of items
from far comers of the Mother
land.
There is black art and more at
MJI's Studio, which owner M.
Jackson llgner said makes her shop
"just different." In addition to
pieces from Africa, the shop car
ries glassware from Spain and
unique jewelry.
But there is more than art on
the street. Trade Street finally got
the restaurants it wanted late last
year when Sweet Potatoes opened
?i I
'? emerging arts scene.
its doors. The African-American
owned eatery has become the
hottest eatery in town. Bonnie Fer
Photos by Kevin Walker
Bonnie Ferrell inside her store, The Agora.
rell opened The Agora two years
ago. The shop sells fancy clothing
and an array of accessories, such as
hats, scarfs and earrings. The shop
also has gift items. Ferrell said she
doesn't worry ahout competition
because. "My shop and my items
are unique. You can't find this at
the mall."
The large WC Publishing
i.... * i ..
Duiiumg, located on me corner of
Trade and Sixth streets, is also
black-owned. The building houses
several tenants, including a new
store. Body & Soul, which carries
African cultural items. The build
Anthony Catheart, left, talks to customers in Artifacts.
ing also houses a hair salon and
swank pottery store. Tanya Wiley
Dougni un
building in
1997 and
has opened
its doors to
a variety of
entrepre
neurs, giv
ing them
prime
space in
the heart of
downtown
Tanya Wiley
People who need essentials
such as hand lotion and tissues will
be happy to know that there is a
"dollar store" on Trade Street
Margaret and Angela Vigil opened
the store a few years ago to give
downtown workers an opportunity
to pick up inexpensive items such
as greeting cards; soft drinks and
paper products.
Trade Street is one of the safest
streets in the city. Why?
The Winston-Salem Police
Department has a mini-headquar- _
ters on the street, nestled between
shops and galleries. Cops who ride
bikes or walk through downtown
use the headquarters as a home
base.
Hip-Hop takes center stage in 'Brown' I
CHRONICLE STAFF REPORT
The Hip Hop Theatre Junction had
audiences talking and hopping their
heads in 1999, when it brought its music
infused production of "Rhyme
Deferred" to the National Black Theatre
Festival.
The Junction is back this year, col
laborating with the Hip Hop Theatre Fes
tival to put on "Free Jujube Brown." The
one-man, multicharacter piece is driven
strongly by hip-hop music. It focuses on
a young writer who is provoked and then
accidentally shoots and kills a police
I officer.
Theatergoers will hear voices on all
sides of the incident: those who want to
see Brown imprisoned for his actions
and those who love him and want to see
him set free.
The Hip Hop Theatre Junction is
made up of a variety of Urban artists. The
junction is known for pushing the the
atrical envelope by including such things
as graffiti-inspired sets and live disc
jockeys.
"Free JuJubc Brown" was written by
Psalmayene 24 and is directed by Kami
lah Forbes.
, ^ rt,i
Arts district Gallery
Hop planned Aug. 8
CHRONICLE STAFF REPORT :
A Gallery Hop will be held in the Downtown Arts
District (Sixth and Trade streets) Aug. 8 from 7 to HI
p.m. Gallery Hops are sponsored by the Downtown
Arts District Association and provide a lively envi
ronment for people to "hop" around to the various
galleries and shops in the arts district. The hops usu
ally feature live outdoor entertainment and some
times special attractions. For example, a Fire dancer
performed at a Gallery Hop on July 4.
The arts district is home to many working studios,
galleries and shops, and is the center of many cultur
al activities.