Arts & Lifestyle
Of Interest
WSSU's Bristow
starring in new film
Vonii Bristow, a sport management major
at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU),
wants to pursae an acting career and that
dream got off to a good start when he was
tapped for a significant rote in a new feature
1UI11, i iuun TfUJT.
The faith-based
movie was inspired by
the life of Harry Cohen,
a quarterback and foot
ball captain at Williams
High School in
Burlington who died in
August 2011. It high
lights the challenges
that are brought on by
tragedy and individual
temptation, as well as
Bristow
how they are fought. Bnstow, who says acting
is his passion, jumped at the opportunity to be
a part of the project.
"A gentleman in my acting class contacted
me about the possibility of auditioning for a
role in an upcoming film. I followed up with
his suggestion and had the opportunity to audi
tion for Burgess Jenkins, the director of the
film. After auditioning, I was offered the
role," Bristow said.
He considers the movie to be a great
opportunity for him and one that has had a
profound impact on his life.
"The film inspired me to continue to chase
after my dreams and desires, and to surround
myself with uplifting people," Bristow added.
The film will debut in Burlington January 4-6
at Williams High School at 6 and 8 p.m.
Learn more at http://www.corneliusmuller
productions.com.
Donor to match
gifts to Festival Stage
An anonymous donor has pledged to
match two-to-one any new gifts to Festival
Stage of Winston-Salem between now and Jan.
31,2013.
Festival Stage is a non-profit professional
theatre in residence at Winston-Salem's
Hanesbrands Theatre, where it performs three
productions each year.
As part of die challenge, the donor will
match any new dollars up to $18,000, includ
ing gifts from first
?"? d ? I time donors and
? f|? I from previous
III 111/| donors who have
B ? not yet made a gift
Inapn this fiscal year. The
SHpSIVIj match will also apply
Wj HuA : ? to increases in giving
from current donors,
im Gifts must be designated
for the annual fund,
which is used for a variety of operating
expenses. If the challenge is met, Festival
Stage will raise a total of $27,000.
"A matching challenge gift like (this) is
wonderful for an organization like Festival
Stage because it allows donors to maximize
the effects of their gifts, no matter their
amount," said Festival Stage's President and
CEO Wil Elder. "We are incredibly grateful to
the donor who not only supported Festival
Stage, but made it possible for others' gifts to
have a larger impact. We couldn't fulfill our
mission of providing New York-quality profes
sional theatre in the City of Arts and
Innovation without this support from our com
munity."
Gifts can be made online at www. festival -
stage.org, by calling 336-841-2273 or by mail
to PO Box 20152, Wmston-Salem, NC,
27120-0152.
Country artists to present
songwriting workshop
The Nashville Songwriters Association
and Community Arts Cafe, 411 West Fourth
St., will host a songwriting workshop on
o a t in *?
-i.nuruay, jan. it uuiii
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the
Cafe. A concert and
open mic session will
follow the workshop,
which will be led by
Rick Beresford and
Dcanna Walker
Beresford teaches
commercial songwrit
ing at Belmont
I Tnivpixitv and is full
time suffer at the *tTttfor*
Nashville Songwriters
Association International's song camps and
workshops. His songs have been recorded by
such artists as George Jones, Don Williams,
Mickey Gilley, the Everly Brothers, John
Conlee, BJ Thomas, Brenda Lee and Elizabeth
Eckert
Walker is the founder and director of the
Blair Songwriting Program at Vandertrilt
University, where she teaches college-level
advanced songwriting critique workshops as
well as intro to songwriting and music theory
classes.
The $99 registration fee includes the work
shop and concert. Register at http://www.com
nwmkyartscaCe.com/ecscworkshop.html.
i
?y
Much-needed improvements
slated at Diggs
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
For the first time since it opened in 1990,
the Diggs Gallery on the campus of Wins ton -
Salem State University (WSSU), will under
go major renovations designed to improve its
ability to attract new exhibits and increase its
imna/>T An a/4iiAotiAn
Ulipa^l VII VUUVQIIVII
The project,
which will exceed
$200,000, began
in November, and
it is anticipated
that the renova
tions will be com
pleted in the
spring of 2013.
"We are
delighted that we
are finally able to
pursue some sig
nificant upgrades
to tne facility ana mucn creait goes to
Provost Brenda Allen for jumps tarting our
recession-stalled renovation plans," said
Belinda Tate, director of the gallery. "We
will be adding advanced security cameras
and improved lighting, which will have a
tremendous impact on the caliber of works
we will be able to attract for the university's
permanent collection and temporary exhibi
tions, which can help grow our relevance to a
larger art universe. Plus, we will be able to
continue to provide audiences with exhibits
that ran die gamut from traditional to cutting
edge."
The renovations are designed to create a
fresh look for Diggs and one that is different
from other galleries in the area. While a new
climate control system was added more than
10 years ago, the gallery has continued with
us oiacn celling
and outdated
lighting. When
the renovations
are complete, the
gallery will have
an espresso-col
ored engineered
hardwood floor,
refurbished walls
and a lighter ceil
ing to create the
look of a more
open and con
temporary art
space. In addition to the wont in the gallery,
a conference room wall will be removed to
create more reception space and there will be
new carpet in the hallway.
Beyond just the changes to the space, the
gallery is documenting its entire collection to
identify additional objects that can be used in
WSSU public spaces and classrooms. The
goal is to make artwork more accessible for
faculty and students through the Internet and
more visible outside of the gallery walls.
Music of the Season
i ?. i i
WSSU Photo by Owran Oarm
D'Walla Simmons-Burke, director of choral and vocal studies at Winston-Salem
State University, addresses the crowd during the Dec. 2 "Songs of the Season"
concert in the school's K. R. Williams Auditorium. The annual holiday concert,
which Sinunons-Burke conducts, features all of WSSU's acclaimed musical
groups, including the WSSU Choir, the University Women, Schola Cantorum and
the Burke Singers.
Anonymous donor leaves another
sparkling gift for Salvation Army
CHRONICLE STAFF REPORT
For the second year in a row, a valuable
piece of jewelry was dropped into a Salvation
Army of Winston-Salem red kettle, and
agency officials believe the same anonymous
donor as last year was responsible for the '
most recent donation.
A white gold and diamond necklace was
placed into the kettle at the K&W Cafeteria
on East Hanes Mill Road last week. The item
was wrapped with a note that reads, "This is
real. In loving memory of Benny and
Phyllis." Last year around the same time, the
Salvation Army received a pricy diamond
ring in a red kettle at a different K&W
Cafeteria location with a note saying the
exact same thing.
"We are grateful that someone entrusted
us with something so valuable," said Major
James Allison, area commander for The
Salvation Army of Winston-Salem. "While
this is a great help, our Red Kettle campaign
Triad-wide is still $38,000 behind where We
need to be at this point."
Money raised during the Red Kettle
An unknown donor left this in a Salvation
Army red kettle.
Campaign allows The Salvation Army to help
tens of thousands of individuals with rent and
utility assistance, food and shelter at
Christmas and throughout the year.
NCCUFtnio
James E. Shepard
Davis releases
much-anticipated
Shepard book
CHRONICLE STAFF REPORT
Dr. Lenwood G. Davit, a
retired Winston-Salem State
University history professor,
recently released his latest book,
"Selected Writings and Speeches
of James E. Shepard, 1896-1946:
Founder of North Carolina Central
University."
In the book, Davis, a North
Carolina Central University alum
nus, reveals
aspects of
Shepard that
few knew. He
wore many
hats, including
those of minis
ter, politician,
pharmacist,
entrepreneur,
world traveler,
civil servant
and business
Dm vis
man. Shepard was also one of the
founders of North Carolina Mutual
Life Insurance Company, the
world's largest African American
owned life insurance company,
and Mechanics and Farmers Bank
of Durham. In addition, he served
as president of both the
International Denominational
Sunday School Convention and the
North _ Carolina Teachers
Association.
Shepard made history when he
founded NCCU, where he also
served as president. The school
was the first state-supported liberal
arts college for African Americans
in the United States.
Davis' book is the first and
only collection of the writings and
speeches of Dr. Shepard.
"This book was a labor of love
because it was about the founder of
my alma mater," said Dr. Davis,
alio has also taught at Livingstone
College, Portland State University,
Ohio State University, the
University of Delaware and
Monte lair College. \
The Beaufort native earned an
undergraduate and MA degree,
both in history, from NCCU and a
doctorate in history from Carnegie
Mellon University. Davis is the
author of 23 books, including "I
Have A Dream: The Life and
Times of Martin Luther King Jr.,"
"A Travel Guide to Black
Historical Sites and Landmarks in
North Carolina," "A Paul Robeson
Research Guide" and "African
Americans in Winston
SalenVForsyth County: A Pictorial
History."
Autographed copies of the
book can be ordered from the
author by sending him an email to
davislenwood@yahoo com.
A Sweet Exchange
Pre-K students send holiday treats across the country
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
The Child Development Center at
Davidson County Community College is
sending out sweet greetings this holiday
season. The pre-K class at the Center is
participating in the Gingerbread
Exchange, a gift-swap of personalized
gingerbread men between schools across
die country.
The pre-K class worked together to
decorate IS individual gingerbread men
to send to each of die 15 schools in its
group. The holiday shipments also includ
ed a letter about their school, children and -
teachers as well as a class picture.
"This project has allowed the pre-K
children to gain a better understanding of
different states, schools, and cultures; all
while giving them a creative outlet to
express themselves through their individ
ual gingerbread creations," says Sydney
Crutchfield, assistant pre-K teacher for
the Center.
To supplement their gingerbread
The kids ofDCCC pre-K class.
DCCCnmo
themed gift exchange, the students also
created a story using their own ideas,
words and illustrations, called
"Gingertxead's Adventure to China." The
story is displayed outside the pre-K class
room.
The Gingerbread Exchange was creat
ed by a teacher in Texas to connect class
t 1
rooms across the country in a shared spirit
of generosity and fellowship during the
holiday season.
So far, the pre-K class has received
eight responses from schools in Arizona,
Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio,
Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and
Washington, D.C.