Arts & Lifestyle
Of Interest ...
N.C. African American Heritage
Commission to announce goals
The African American Heritage Commission
(AAHC) has plans to promote heritage awareness,
enhance economic development and support heritage
education. In a news conference slated to take place
next week, the commission will present study results
and action goals.
Launched in 2009, the
AAHC has been creating new
partnerships and supporting
programs to "assist the
Secretary of Cultural
Resources in the preservation,
interpretation and promotion
of African American history,
arts, and culture," as was leg
islatively mandated with its
creation in 2008.
"The commission will
focus on four priority goals of
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sustainability, partnerships, recognition and aware
ness," explains newly-installed AAHC Chair Freddie
Parker.
N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Secretary
Linda A. Carlisle, Rep. Larry Womble, Sen. Floyd
McKissick and Parker will speak to the value of her
itage education, workforce development, cultural
tourism and cross-cultural collaborations. Acting
AAHC Director Michelle Lanier will review the
results of the commission's information-gathering
process that visited six communities, listening to more
than 200 citizens. Analysis of this research was the
basis for development of the AAHC's vision, mission
and priority goals.
Among needs identified by citizens in Asheville,
Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Spring Lake, New Bern
and at the N.C. State Fair in Raleigh were for a more
inclusive curriculum in public schools, job creation
and partnerships. Already, the commission has imple
mented some of these ideas through funding publica
tions. internship positions and teacher education.
Sinbad reality show to air
WE tv has announced that it has green-lit its next
original series, "Sinbad's Family Affair," showcasing
the life of comedian Sinbad and his family. Six, one
hour episodes will capture the ups and downs the
famous comedian has faced over the years and his
tireless climb back to the top of his game.
"Sinbad's Family Affair" premieres on Tuesday,
April 12 at 10 p.m. and
will air on consecutive
Tuesday nights.
Fifteen years ago,
Sinbad was at the top of
his game ? with a hit
sitcom, successful talk
show, a promising
movie career and the
perfect family. And
then it all went away.
TV shows were can
celed, the film roles
dried up and he and his
college sweetheart got
divorced. For many
Sinbad
people, it would end there... but Sinbad is doing it all
over, and this time he's doing it right. He fired his
agent, kicked his 30+ person entourage off the payroll
and kept his focus on his original passion: stand-up
comedy.
He remarried his ex-wife, Meredith, and moved
back into their original home. Their children, Paige
(25) and Royce (22). are working to build their own
careers, but they haven't stopped tapping dad for
financial support. "Sinbad's Family Affair" shows the
humor and drama that fuels this family as they face
financial struggles, privacy issues and the perils of liv
ing together as a family once again.
Triad author recalls
childhood bullying in book
Bullying is something that author Margaret Norton
knows a lot about. When she was in elementary
school, she says she was bullied so severely that she
spent every lunch period in a bathroom stall.
In her new book, "When Ties Break: A Memoir
about How to Thrive After Loss," Norton shares what
it was like to be bullied by
her classmates.
In writing her story, she
took a close and honest look
at her own life. The result
was an exceptional and
inspirational memoir. She
shares years of wisdom
gained from struggling to fit
in with and understand oth
ers. By sharing her story, she
hopes to make individuals
more aware of the negative
consequences of bullying.
Being bullied can lead to
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low self esteem, poor choices and a lifetime of unnec
essary pain. It's a myth that bullying is normal behav
ior for children and those bullied will get over it.
As a Personal Life Coach and inspirational speak
er, Norton shares how, through God's help and her
own courage and perseverance, she not only thrived
after loss but came out on top with a renewed spirit
and a greater sense of worth. She currently resides in
Greensboro, where she is involved with Writers'
Group of the Triad. Guilford Nonprofit Consortium,
Daystar Church and the Christian Coaches Network.
Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, her
book is available from bookstores nationwide,
through the publisher at
www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visiting
barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.
Famed clarinetist McGill giving free concert
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Clarinetist Anthony
McGill, who received national
attention performing with Yo
Yo Ma, Gabriela Montero and
Itzhak Perlman at Barack
Obama's inauguration, will
perform Tuesday, Feb. 22 at
7:30 p.m. in Dillard
Auditorium of the Anderson
Conference Center on the cam
pus of Winston-Salem State
University.
The performance, which is
free and open to the public, is
being presented by WSSU's
Lyceum Cultural Events
Academie Series.
The winner of an Avery
Fisher Career Grant, McGill
currently serves as principal
clarinetist of the New York
Metropolitan Opera
Orchestra. Prior to this posi
tion, he was associate principal
clarinet of the Cincinnati
Symphony Orchestra. An
experienced chamber musi
cian, McGill has participated
in numerous prestigious festi
vals including La Musica
International Chamber Music
Festival, Tanglewood, the
Music Festival of Menlo, Italy
and the Marlboro Music
Festival. He has studied at the
Submitted Photo
Anthony McGill has taken his talent across the nation and world.
Curtis Institute with Donald
Montanato and at the
Interlochen Arts Academy with
Richard Hawkins.
Since his solo debut in
1991, McGill has appeared
with the Baltimore and New
Jersey Symphonies and with
the Tokyo. Guarneri and
Avalon Quartets. He has been
heard on Ravinia'* Kisinti Star
Series, toured with Musicians
from Marlbonr. performed at
Carnegie Hall and appeared at
Lincoln Center as a member ol
its Chamber Music Socict>
Two. McGill has also per
formed throughout Europe and
Asia as a chamber and orches
tral musician with artists
including pianist Mitsuko
Uchida and members of the
Brentano Quartet.
ABI S Ptnuo
ABES prepare for the big show.
Students to present Shakespeare with a twist
CHRONICLE STAFF REPORT
Students from the Arts Based Elementary
School (ABES) will put their unique spin on a
classic play later this month.
With the help of local mariachi band Los
Viajeros, the students will perform the original
musical "Romeo and Juliet on the Border" at the
Arts Council Theatre on Thursday, Feb. 24.
The play, a unique adaptation of Shakespeare,
will incorporate songs and dances of the
American cowboys and Northern Mexican vaque
ros of the early 1900s. The project began when
the students studied America's western cattle
drive era of late 1800s. Their studies included an
introduction to period folk and popular songs,
dances and poetry, paintings and photos from the
era. In addition. Bob Moyer, founder of
"Shakespeare Lives!" and former director of the
UNCSA high school drama program, joined
ABES teachers in introducing students to
Shakespeare, the Globe Theater and the timeless
story elements of "Romeo and Juliet." Students
examined "West Side Story" as an example of an
adaptation of Shakespeare's play, before the idea
was launched for their own production.
The Hispanic Arts Initiative of Winston
Salem, through a grant from the Arts Council ol
Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, partnered
With the school to bring Los Viajeros and visiting
ceramic artist Mariana Rodriguez- Pardy to the
project. v
Rodriguez-Pardy worked with AlV-.S art
teacher Donna Wright to lead students tflrough a
study of the historical significance of masks
within Mexican culture. Masks created b> stu
dents will be displayed during the performance.
ABES Arts Coordinator Mary Siebert will direct,
while ABES dance teacher Jan Adams server as
choreographer. Guitarist Genevieve Leitner, who
served as guest artist at the school specializing in
traditional Mexican corridos, w ill play during the
performance, along with pianist Mary Ann Bills,
violinist (Catherine Wiley and guitarist Peter
Wilbur.
Admission to the' show is free, but donations
are accepted. Demand for the 6 p.m. performance
is high and space is limited. The Arts Based
Elementary School is asking that those who want
to attend call the school in advance at 336-748
41 16 to request a reservation.
Director Jason Reitman to speak at local film festival
:
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Oscar-nominated director
Jason Reitman, whose films
include "Thank You for
Smoking," "Juno" and "Up in
the Air," will discuss filmmak
ing and his career at the fourth
annual Reynolda Film Festival
at Wake Forest University.
Reitman will speak April 2
at 7 p.m. in Wait Chapel.
Tickets are $5 for the public;
the event is free to Wake Forest
faculty, staff and student^**
Featuring film screenpgs, a
film competition and taTks by
scriptwriters, animators and
film-industry insiders, the film
festival will run March 30 to
April 2. The festival is organ
ized and led completely by
Wake Forest students. The com
plete schedule of screenings and
speakers and details on how to
get tickets for the Reitman
event will be posted on the
Reynolda Festival Web site.
"Not only will aspiring writ
ers and filmmakers relate to
. . , ParanHMii Pth?|?)
George Clooney in "Up in the Air."
Jason Reitman's great ability to
convey meaningful messages in
film, but also the specific
themes of his pictures will cer
tainly strike a chord with the
festival's audience," said Clint
Wilson, a Wake Forest senior
and director of this year's festi
val. "Between 'Juno's' exami
nation of the search for one's
place in society and the notions
of personal identity explored
through "Up In the Air.'
Reitman's films speak eloquent
ly to this generation. As a story
teller, director, and acute social
commentator, he is the perfect
keynote speaker."
At age 33, Reitman has
already made his mark as a
screenwriter and director. He
wrote and directed the 2009
film "Up in the Air." The film.
Sec Festival on Alt
40%
Moving Forward
fierce.
Focused, *nd
Full of Life?
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SON DRA VVRK,
y
Local author
says "Life
Begins at 40+"
CHRONICLE STAFF REPORT
Triad author Sondra Wright
will discuss and sign copies of
her book, "4()+ and Fabulous,"
on Saturday, Feb. 19 from noon
- 4 p.m. at Coffee at the
Summit. 623 Summit Ave. in
Greensboro. Proceeds from the
day's book sales will benefit
the Triad Youth Jazz Society.
"40 + and Fabulous" defi
nitely embraces the concept
of women mentoring other
women .
When
Sondra
learned
that the
T r i a d
Youth Jazz
Society
was an
organiza
tion of
kids men
t o r i n g
Wright
kids, she just had to give her
support to the organization.
"40+ and Fabulous" has
been called "a tender, witty and
down-to-earth collection of
stories from women who will
warm your hearts, tickle your
funny bones and completely
reshape your perspective on
aging."
The book started with just
the women in mind, but after
the ladies had their say, it was
time for a male's perspective.
Part of what the guys share in
the book is what they find
most irresistible about women
in their 40s and beyond.
Born in 1964, Wright says
she is the last of the boomers
and the leader of the 40+ and
Fabulous Movement. She likes
to call herself a catalyst for
motivation, passion and high
energy and works with women
who want to take charge and
create the life they love.
A graduate of N.C. A&T
State University, Wright is a
speaker, writer and small busi
ness entrepreneur. Her passion
is inspiring the breakthrough
and changes necessary for
women to reach their maxi
mum potential.
Learn more at
http:llfortyplusandfgbulous.co
ml book! .