A LOOK BACK: NATIONAL BLACK THEATRE FESTIVAL
NBTF not just for plays
Bern Nadette Slants, best known as Thelma on "Good Times," was among the
authors at the International Vendors Market.
Photos by Todd Luck
Bryant Taylor sells Black Greek clothing at his BTS Urban Wear booth.
Market draws vendors and shoppers
BY TODD LUCK
THE CHRONICLE _
When not taking in the multitude of plays, many atten
dees of the National Black Theatre Festival could be
found at the M.C. Benton Convention Center perusing the
wares at the NBTF International Vendors Market.
A tradition at the NBTF, the vendors market brings in
more than 20,000 customers each festival. Organizer
Rhonda Caldwell, president of The Main Event, said both
locals and the many out-of-town visitors the festival
attracts are drawn to the market.
"They're wanting to come and find unique things,"
she said.
This year, Ford Motor Co. was offering test drives in
front of the convention center and letting attendees spin a
wheel for cash and prizes. In the hallway, volunteers sell
ing T-shirts and other paraphernalia bearing the NBTF
logo were doing a brusque business. Along the hall, many
authors sold their books at tables.
Among the writers was Bern Nadette Stanis, best
known for her role as Thelma in the 1970s sitcom "Good
Times." She had copies of her book "Situations 101:
Relationships" advice book. She got a steady stream of
people paying for her book and a photo with the actress.
"People just support me and love me," she said. "They
always tell me they still watch 'Good Times' and it's gen
erational now because now they're letting their children
and grandchildren watch it. They always tell me it's the
best TV ever."
Stanis' new book that comes out this month, "The Last
Night: A Caregivers' Journey Through Transition and
Beyond" talks about her life, including becoming a star on
"Good Times," her parents role in her success and dealing
with her mother's Alzheimer's disease. Stanis took care of
her mother, who passed away in 2007, for eight years with
the disease and now has a Remembering the Good Times
Alzheimer's Foundation, which she was raising money
for.
Inside the vendors'room, more than 100 vendors were
selling their wares. Some vendors, such as Gloria
Vaughters, were local. She was selling handmade jewelry
in her Gloria's Place booth. Vaughters was a quality
inspector for 25 years at Tyco electronics before a kidney
transplant left her unable to work. She was looking for
something to do with her time when she took a jewelry
making class at the arts and crafts store A.C. Moore.
"1 enjoyed it when I started taking classes," she said.
"1 was bored sitting at home. I had to find something to
do."
Vaughters fell in love with making jewelry and now
displays at festivals and events regularly and does the
NBTF vendors market when it comes to Winston-Salem
every two years. She said customers are drawn to the
uniqueness of her jewelry, which she designs herself.
Most vendors were from out of town, like Bryant
Taylor from Duncan, S.C. who was surrounded by Black
Greek clothing at his BTS Urban Wear booth. It's his sec
ond time at the vendors market.
"I like the vibe, the spirit, the feel of it, everything," he
said.
There were a wide variety of products and services
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offered at the market. A stage area allowed for vendors to
do demonstrations, such as Thursday's make up demon
stration done on attendees by Bovanti Cosmetics and Spa
of Greensboro. Debra Hubbard of Los Angeles,
California, was selling T-shirts she made herself bearing
the words "Black Don't Crack," an old adage that she
trademarked herself. Optician June Mines of Washington,
D.C., was busy at her These Eyes of Mines booth, taking
orders for stylish prescription glasses that she would mail
to customers.
Carl Crawford of Columbia, S.C., turned his space
into a small gallery for his colorful framed fine art.
Crawford is a former graphic artist who used to do print
production. Now he's a professional artist who uses cut up
old magazines to create collages so seamless that they
resemble paintings upon first glance. He's drawn to move
ment in his art, portraying dancers, children and jazz. He
regularly sets up at various festivals, including the NBTF
vendors market.
"Anytime you deal with people who respect the cre
ative energy of the arts, that's a market I need to be in," he
said.
Marsha Holden was among the many customers at the
vendors market. She came with The Colorful Arts Society
of Atlanta, Georgia, to see some plays and take in the the
atre festival experience. She bought a birthday present for
a relative and Shea butter on Thursday afternoon before
having to leave to catch a play, but said she'd definitely be
back to buy more.
"It's beautiful, it's beautiful stuff." she said. "There's a
lot of things. If 1 was a millionaire, I'd buy more."
Youth Celebrity Project 2015 thrives at National Black Theatre Festival
BY FELEC1A PIGGOTT LONG,
PHD
FOR THE CHRONICLE
Nana Malaya Rucker
invited the youth to join her
at the front of the stage to
do the Fanga dance from
Nigeria at the Gardenia
Terrace of the Embassy
Suites hotel on North
Cherry Street.
"Let's lift our hands to
the sky. Now bring them
down to the earth. Extend
theatre professionals and
their peers in the arts. From
Aug. 4 through 7, the
youth met to network and
share talent with one anoth
er. Solomon continues to
promote young people's
talent.
"Over the years, 1 have
seen it [the Youth Celebrity
Project] transform into an
event with its own follow
ers and its own energy,"
said Solomon. "Prior to the
festival, I received numer
Company. He led the youth
in the singing of "Lift
Every Voice and Sing," the
Negro National Anthem.
The program also started
with the Black Reps Cheers
and the step team of the
Kemet Academy Summer
Youth Program from
Emmanuel Baptist Church.
The Mt. Zion Child
Development Center and
Praise Dancers, under the
direction of Kristy
Franklin, performed the
song "I Can't Breathe
Without You."
Nelson and Tamela
Roberts, Monarch Music
Academy, Play Play
Productions, Bristol Whitt,
a spoken-word artist and
many more presented their
talents.
Guest Appearances
from celebrities such as
Busta Brown and other
playwrights, performers
and choreographers made
this part of the Festival
very special. Youth had the
opportunity to observe and
ask questions of profes
sionals who may be doing
what the youth plan to do
in the future.
Photo by Felecta P. Long
Kernel Academy Summer Youth step team performs
as part of Youth Celebrity Project for the National
Black Theatre Festival.
them to the right and to the
left. Let's welcome every
body!"
Rucker is an actress,
dancer, songstress, story
teller, poet, writer, direc
tor/choreographer, and she
is known as the "Dancing
Diplomat." She is also
known as the mother of
Lamman Rucker, the sher
iff on Tyler Perry s "Why
Did I Get Married?" She
and Dennis Reed served as
the morning hosts of the
Youth Celebrity Project
this year. Reed is a poet.
CEO, an artist, songwriter
for Inspire the Fire, and
philanthropist.
The Youth Celebrity
Project of the National
Black Theatre Festival has
been a component since
1993. Co-founded by
Cleopatra Solomon and
Cynthia Mack, both for
merly of the Winston
Salem Urban League, the
Youth Celebrity Project
continues to grow. More
than 6,000 youth of all ages
from across the country
interact with celebrities.
ous calls from individuals
who live in other cities and
states inquiring about the
Youth Celebrity Project.
Many families are now
bringing their children and
grandchildren to be a part
of this wonderful event."
New components have
been added since its incep
tion. such as Teen Talk and
Man Talk. The Youth
Celebrity Parade took place
on Tuesday morning (Aug.
4), and the Carver High
School Band usually par
ticipates. Colby Christina
served as the Teen Chair
and the Grand Marshal for
the Parade.
There were 25 entries
in the parade, including
city officials, celebrities,
the Winston-Salem Police
Chief, city councilmen, and
more. Thursday's Session
(Aug. 6) featured the popu
lar group from "America's
Got Talent," Inspire the
Fire.
Local talent included
Khalil Caesar of the Teen
Theatre of the North
Carolina Black Repertory
?l I IIIIILY FUNj
I Friday, July 31st
Friday, August 7th
Friday, August 14th
Friday, August 21st
Friday, August 28th
Frozen (Disney)
Annie (2014)
Spongebob: Sponge Out of Water
Shrek (DreamWorks)
Home (Dream Works)
PG
PG
PG
PG
PG
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