OPINION
the Chronicle i
617 N. Liberty Street
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i40\
Ernest H. Pitt
Donna Rogers
Elaine Pitt
Publisher/Co-Founder
Managing Editor
Business Manager
Our Mission
The Chronicle is dedicated to serving the
residents of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County
by giving voice to the voiceless, speaking truth
to power, standing for integrity and
encouraging open communication and
lively debate throughout the community.
The Good,
The Bad and
The Amazing
The National Black Theatre Festival (NBTF)
ended last Saturday (Aug. 8) and won't be back until
2017. During the weeklong event. The Chronicle
staff and people in the community made random
observations about the event, which was founded in
1989 in Winston-Salem.
Here are some of The Good, The Bad and The
Amazing:
The Good
?The play "Sassy Mamas" sold out before the
festival started. It was the first time in the festival's
history that a play had sold out before the festival
started.
?Several places were available to help people get
tickets quickly to the plays that were not sold out.
?Winston Salem State University and Mayor
Allen Joines put on a great reception on Sunday
evening before the NBTF started. The stars were
accessible and eager to take photos with those who
attended.
?Actress Jackie Harry, a native of Winston
Salem, attended the NBTF for the first time. She was
in the production "Black Stars of the Great White
Way."
?The Gala proceeded pretty much on schedule,
unlike some years past, when talking by the celebri
ties ran much longer than scheduled. Music was
played to let them know they needed to end their
comments.
?During the week, actors and actresses spoke
their minds about issues they cared about, including
supporting black theatre.
?The North Carolina Black Repertory Company,
^vhich produces the festival each year, announced
"movement toward a National Black Theatre Hall of
Fame and Museum. An initial campaign in 2016 will
provide seed money for detailed planning and design
for the hall.
Celebrities will be inducted every year the
Festival is held. This should attract more people to
Winston-Salem during the week and increase the
Festival's economic impact.
The Bad
*The food service during the Gala on Monday
night was terrible. The wait staff served people late,
and the amount of food provided was not worthy of
the $262 price paid for the evening.
*Tate's Craft Cocktails downtown on Fourth
Street closed during the NBTF.
The Amazing
*During the first performance of 'The Glory of
Gospel' on Thursday night, a scene from the musical
portrayed the Civil Rights Movement. During the
scene, the entire cast began to sing "Lift Every Voice
and Sing," which is the Negro National Anthem. As
the ensemble began to sing, one person in the audi
ence stood up. Then slowly as the song progressed, it
appeared everyone in the University of North
Carolina School of the Arts Stevens Center stood up.
Then, during the singing, some members of the cast
began to quote the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As they did, members of the audience were quoting
along.
*A play that had just been performed at the Carl
H. Russell Sr. Community Center on July 30 and 31
to a standing-room-only crowd was one of the plays
read during the NBTF. The playwright, Ronnie
Stock well, was accessible. He is a teacher's assistant
in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools sys
tem. The reading of "Meet Me at Mama's House"
was part of the Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop
Readers Series for the NBTF.
The NBTF won't be back for two years. In the
meantime, the North Carolina Black Repertory
Company will still be here and will still need our
support.
WW
?ar.J
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Anderson High 1970 class reunion 'outstanding'
[This was the last class before
integration.]
To the Editor:
From the dias to the dinner to the
dance floor, the reunion of the
[Anderson High ]1970 class was out- .
standing. The Anderson Center was
filled with fun, memories and good
fellowship.
The honorees included Mrs.
Marian Brower, the wife of the prin
cipal in 1970; Mr. Robert Brower Jr.;
and other family members.
Former teachers were also hon
ored, including Mr. James Rousseau,
Mr. Walter Farabee, Mrs. Mary
Grissom and Mrs. Flonnie T.
Anderson.
Keith Byrd Entertainment provid
ed classic sounds from the '70s. Bill
Jackson provided a memorial year
book from the 1970 annual. A candle
light memorial by Patrice Scales rec
ognized classmates and former teach
ers and staff from the 1970 class.
Linda Flynt and Patrice Scales
served as moderators.
Bishop Dr. Franklin Hanes
blessed the occassion.
A letter from Mayor Allen Joines
congratulating the class was present
ed by Linda Flynt.
Wayne Ledbetter, who served as
an outstanding treasurer, also gave
remarks.
Words from the class of 1970
were given by Fleming J.A. El-Amin.
The comments from honored
guests and classmates were heartfelt
and brought back memories to be
treasured.
The dance floor rocked to the
sounds of the '70s as classmates
moved to the rhythms of yesterday.
The planning committee of Rudy
Anderson, Wayne Ledbetter, Fleming
El-Amin, Linda Flynt, Patrice Scales,
Paulette Moore, Gloria Flynt, Denise
Harris,1 Gregory Davis, Ernest
Nichols, Donald (Jermaul) Wallace,
Marilyn Gilliam, Jacob Hughes and
Lavernal Sutherland are to be com
mended for bringing the 1970 class
back after 45 years.
J.R. Reed provided memorable
photography for the class.
Fleming El-Amin
Winston-Salem
S ubtttittgd pftotQs
Above, members of the 1970 Class of
Anderson High School gather at their
recent reunion.
At left, the teachers that were honored
at the reunion are sitting as members
of the Class of 1970 at Anderson High
School look on.
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