Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Feb. 6, 1997, edition 1 / Page 22
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6B ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT/The Charlotte Post Thursday, February 6, 1997 Theater to show films on blacks By Mary Boyle THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BALTIMORE - Bored with the club scene and tired of hav ing to venture into the suburbs to see a movie, Michael Johnson and his friends decid ed to bring the entertainment closer to home. They opened an independent theater Friday in an old movie house that’s been vacant for 15 years. But Johnson and his 30- something pals are doing more than trying to bring movies back to urban neighborhoods, where theaters have all but vanished: Their Heritage Playhouse Cinema will show case movies by and about blacks. Johnson believes it will be the only movie house in the nation to regularly feature classic black movies, such as Friday’s opening feature, “Raisin in the Sun” with Sidney Poitier, “Imitation of Life” and “'The Stranger.” “Baltimore has a rich tradi tion of movies and bringing something like this back is kind of nostalgic,” said Johnson, who was an advertis ing executive until he joined six partners in the movie the ater business. They spent evenings clean ing up the theater’s 350 com fortable, red upholstered seats, 18-by-50-foot screen and heavy brown drapes. After years of exile in subur ban malls and muliplexes, first-run movies are also slow ly returning to urban neigh borhoods. Former basketball star Magic Johnson has joined with Sony Theaters to open multi plexes in black communities nationwide. So far, two the aters have opened in Los Angeles and Atlanta, and 13 more are scheduled by 1998 in cities such as New York, Cleveland, Detroit, Baltimore and Chicago. Harlem USA, a retail and entertainment complex that will include movie theaters, is also set to open in 1998 in New York. “It appears Sony has gotten the message,” said Joseph Madison, an NAACP board member who heads the civil rights group’s annual black entertainment awards. “Maybe due to their leader ship, others will follow.” Market research shows blacks go to the movies more than whites. Fifty-two percent of all blacks go to the movies at least once a month, compared vrith 31 percent of whites and other minorities, according to Market Segment Research and Consulting, a research firm specializing in minority con sumers. Blacks in 1995 accounted for 18 percent to 20 percent of all ticket sales, or $510 million, said Ken Smikle, president of Target Market News, a Chicago market research firm specializing in black con sumers. But some are skeptical that any significant change is occurring. “The average black entrepre neur is not getting that same kind of treatment Magic Johnson is from Sony,” said Frank Mercado-Valdez, presi dent of the African Heritage Network, a New York distribu tor of black movies. “There clearly is a market, but theater chains are not say ing 'Let’s go back to the black communities,”’ said Robert Johnson, head of Black Entertainment Television, which is launching a cable channel devoted to movies by and about blacks. Black movie and television viewers “don’t see enough films that reflect the diversity of black life. That’s really what we need to see.” Michael Johnson said he wants to feature films at the Baltimore movie house with black directors, actors and actresses in powerful roles, regardless of whether they appear with a mostly white cast. Among the movies planned are “blaxploitation” films of the 1960s and ‘70s, such as “Super Fly.” “It’s important for black youth to see films - particular ly some of the older ones — that Winfrey donates black angels THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BELOIT, Wis. - For Oprah Winfrey’s collection of 571 black angels, heaven is a place called Beloit. The popular television talk show host announced this we^k she was donating the col lection to the city’s Angel Museum. Winfrey’s collection got a jump start after she told Cher during one of the programs that black angels were hard to find. She was inundated with so many that she soon pleaded with viewers to stop sending them. Joyce Berg, whose original collection of 11,680 angels was the inspiration for the muse um, said Winfrey’s gems would be a delightful addition. “It’s a very wonderful thing for us,” Berg said Wednesday. “They will be special, definite ly special. I imagine there’ll be some ones that are lovingly See OPRAH Page 7B Ovens Au DITORIUM “DADDY WHERE ARE YOU?” (Too Many Fatherless Homes) Based on a true story! Dedicated to all single mothers. PrcscnU'd hy: Mhtisfcr .loliii McCollum ami The Good Xcu's Crusade from Brooklyn, AV«’ Vorlc Five Big Shows Fri., Feb. 1-1. 8:00 |).r)i. Fveniiii Sal.. Feb. 1.3. 3:00 |).iii. .Vlatinee 8:00 p.iii. Fveiiiiio Sun., Fell. 16. •3:00 p.ni. .Vlatiiicc 8:00 p.m. Evening Matinee - $15 Advance - $17 Door Evening - $17 Advance - $19 Door Discount rrites available for 20 or more. For more information call... 1-800-481-6106 or 704-335-3100 EMANUEL SEEGARS Prodiiccr/ff filer “Daddy Where Are YonY" CYNTHIA WILLIAMS from the hit play “Can }oii Help Mr Child" liilrodiiciiity... VINCE PAUL as Lamarr from Chicago (3iarlotle (ioli.seiini 33’^-l801 ()\('iis .'\ii(lil()riiim 333-3100 $2 OFF Advance Price Before FEBRUARY 1st. depict blacks in subservient roles,” Johnson said. “You have to see where we’ve been.” He also intends to include live entertainment and turn the place into a community entertainment center. Jazz bands will perform before Saturday night shows, and magicians before the mati nees. Johnson wants to provide an outlet for independent black filmmakers like Julie Dash, who won critical acclaim for her 1992 film “Daughters of the Dust,” and Haile Gerima, who drew large audiences with “Sankofa” in 1994. “I’m hoping schools will take advantage because these films need to be viewed and stud ied,” said the NAACP’s Madison. “There are a lot of lessons to be learned.” SUBSCRIBE rC)i:>yXY To The Best In Black The Charlotte Post Newspaper CV04) 3 775-04S>5 MEN'S ^ >• PROUDLY PRESENTS wp Business and Fashion Expo ‘97 Fashions for the entire family Hilton Hotel - University Place 8629 J.M. Keynes Dr. Charlotte, NC 28262 Sunday, March 16,1997 @ 6’^pm Advanced Tickets $10.00 At Door $12.50 (or) Call.. (704)598-2761 7m Calendar Of Events Always Celebrating: MLK Parade Chairperson Louis Sellars (L), Parade Grand Marshals, State Representative Beverly Earle and Bell South's Bob Freeman (C) along with driver of the lead car Ed Newland (R). Take time to pose for a picture defore this year's annual parade honoring the birthday of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "COCA-COLA/FOOD LION CIAA DREAMSTAKES"" TheCoca-Cola Comnnunity Connection Staff encourages you to stop by your neighborhood Food Lion, look for the Coca-Cola display and enter for your chance to win the CIAA Basketball Tournament Dreamstakes. Grand prize winners will receive tickets for two to the semi-final and championship games, hotel accommodations and $500 dollars spending money "LOVE FOR TEENS" Fighting Back Youth United, The Drug Education Center and Earth Service Corps is sponsoring a Valentines Day Love For Teens Dance, featuring DJ Marky D. It is happening Friday, February 14th from 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM at McCrorey YMCA "GOLDEN BULLS BASKETBALL" The Johnson C. Smith University Golden Bulls invite you out to Brayboy Gymnasium as they make there final home stand before the CIAA Tournament. They host the Falcons of Saint Augustine's College on February 15th and the Spartans of Norfolk State University, February 18th. For ticket information call 378-3505 "COMMUNITY YOUTH CONFERENCE" Calling All Youth... There will be a community youth conference were the youth speak and adults listen. There will be discussion on gangs, violence, drug abuse and much much more. It takes place Saturday, February 22nd starting at 10:00 AM st the Grady Cole Center. Call 598-3988 for more information. "DADDY WHERE ARE YOU" Cast members of the hit play Daddy Where Are You and the Coca-Cola Music Van will be at the Greenville Community Center, Monday, February 15th from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Stop by and meet stars Deitra Dean, Larry Mims, Emanual Seegars and enter your name for a chance to win free tickets to the play. For details call 335-3100. ~ "HERE'S HOW YOU CAN BE CONNECTED" Submit, in writing, on your organizations letterhead, the title of your event, date, location, contact person and telephone number for your activity to: COMMUNITY CONNECTION 5001 Chesapeake Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28216 Attn: Jeff Lowery • Phone: 393-4365 • Fax: 393-4265 If you are interested in the Coca-Cola Community Music Van appearing at your non-profit event call: 393-4365 • FAX 393-4265 ,h. 4 ' '“W: ■■ 1. f I I I 7) t I Keeping The Dream Alive: Members of the Second Calvary Baptist Church show their support by inarching in the parade that began at West Charlotte High School and concluded with a ceremony at the New Charlotte Convention Center. "The parade was a tremendous success due to the overwhelming number of participants and spectators that supported this year's event" says Teresa Wright, MLK Parade Coordinator.
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Feb. 6, 1997, edition 1
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