I Vendors market offers items for all tastes CHRONICLF STAFF REPORT Who says all the action at the National Black Theatre Festival lakes place on the stage? The thousands who find refuge at the vast International Vendors' Market know better. The market has become an integral part of the festival, providing theater lovers a place to go during their downtime. - The International Vendors' Market will open on Aug. 6 and operate through the close of the festival on Aug. 9. The market has gained a reputation as one of the most exquisite commercial exhibi tions to be seen anywhere. The market is popular with vendors because the festi val draws thousands of out-of-towners to the city. The festival also attracts folks who live here downtown, where the market is located (in the Benton Con vention Center). Vendors have had great File Photo 2001 NBTF volunteers shop in the International Vendors Market. success vyith festival Crowds, many of whom wait for their favorite vendors to return so that they can purchase special ty items. As the name says, vendors from all over the world will hawk their wares. Virtually everything will be offered, from arts and crafts, to books and music, to clothing and home furniture. There also will be door prizes, a silent auction and other special promo tions offered throughout the market's stay. For example. High Point-based Atrium Furniture has donated two vaca tion getaway packages that will be given away on (Ik last night of the festival. Visitors to the market will be able to reg ister for the getaways and other prizes. Other sponsors of the market include: Ebert Sign Co.; A New Leaf; Ryan WillageJ Tavern; Balloons. Bun nies & Beans; Krispy Kreme; Catawba Furniture Mall; and the Summit School. Barbara Eure is coordinating the International Vendors' Market. The mar ket is free and open to the public. Louis Armstrong exposed! CHRONICLE STAFF REPORT Louis Armstrong, or Satchmo, as he is known to millions, is the euphony of jazz to many fans of the genre. Beginning in the 1920s, Armstrong took jazz to a whole level with his recordings. Arm strong's big smile and distinctive voice also graced the stages of Broadway and the big screen. A play being staged at this year's NBTF will attempt to show the Louis Armstrong that few peo ple know. "A Tuff Shuffle: Back stage with Louis Armstrong" is a production of the Charlottle-based Aniya Theatre Company. Written by Danny Mullen, who also stars as Armstrong, the play examines the story behind Satchmo's great Louis Armstrong nusic. Told in a backstage dress ng room before a show, the pro luction looks at the challenges Armstrong faced when he took ourageous stands for civil rights. The one-man show has already >een produced by the Black Repertory Group Theatre in Jerkeley, Calif.; Hallwalls' Black n' Blue Theatre in Buffalo; and he Neighborhood Theatre in Charlotte. During its Charlotte un, the play received two theater tominations from the publication Creative Loafing. Preston Lane-directs "A Tuff Jhuffle: Backstage with Louis Armstrong." ?| Time Warner Cable is dedicofed to 0 helping our community We not only provide jobs for your neighbors, friends ' and family, we also make sure a portion of every cable dollar is put back into the local economy. Our goal is to make North Carolina a better place to live and work, and we are pleased to support the O ? National Black Theater Festival. \ /f?> TIME WARNER V. CABLE Now anythings possible.. l?m? W:w Coti* Capy?sjhl E 7X3 Al 8 *jh? R?m? ??:i