Profile:
Malcolm
Jamal Warner
2003 NBTF
Co-Chair
File Photo
Malcolm-Jamal Warner at the 2001
National Black Theatre Festival.
SPEC:iAL TO THE CHRONICLE
After appearing as a regular on the highly
successful sitcom "The Cosby Show," Mal
colm-Jamal Warner has broken away from the
stereotype often associated with former child
stars. He has not only achieved continued
success in his acting career, but has also
deceived accolades in several new creative
ventures, including playing bass for his band.
Miles Long; his performance poetry gigs; and
civic-minded advocacy appearances.
Warner starred on stage in the original
play "Cryin' Shame"; in "Freefall" at the Vic
tory Garden Theatre in Chicago; in the off
Broadway play "Three Ways Home" at the
Astor Place Theatre; and in "A Midsummer
Night's Dream" at the La Jolla Playhouse.
A seasoned director, Warner directed
episodes of "Malcolm and Eddie" and has
also directed episodes of "The Cosby Show,"
"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "All That,"
and "Sesame Street." He also directed, pro
duced, and hosted the half-hour tribute to
"The Cosby Show." Additional directing
credits include Saturday Morning teen maga
zine "All Ax-S," featuring Jaleel White and
Kriss Cross and Nickelodeon's "Kecnan and
Kel."
In addition to hosting midnight poetry
jams at this year's festival, Warner will also
perform in his one man play "Love & Other
Social Issues." The production is a commen
tary on live, love and transitions as seen
through the eye's of Warner.
"Love & Other Social Issues" will he
staged Aug. H and Aug. 9 at 3 p.m. and H p.m.
at NCSA's The Arena. Tickets are $35.
Fourth Street is a work in progress
CHRONICLE STAFF REPORT t '
"V
The Fourth Street that theatergoers will see during this year's National
Black Theatre Festival is vastly different than the Fourth Street they .saw dur
ing the last festival in 2001. The city has invested tons of energy and mil
lions of dollars in order to make the street look worthy of being downtown's
main thoroughfare. And there is still much work left to do.
The most obvious change is the look of the street. Workers spent months
last year narrowing the street to extend sidewalks. The wider sidewalks have
allowed downtown restaurants to have sidewalk dining. City officials also
think the wider sidewalks give shops and other businesses a more attractive
appearance. Trees and benches have been added along the main section of
the street to give people something to look at and a place to rest. It's also now
a two-way street, as is its sister street, Fifth Street.
Despite all its changes. Fourth Street is still very much a work in
progress. While an assortment of clothing stores, eateries and cafes call the
street home, there are still many vacant buildings that have long been in need
of tenants. The city is backing a so-called "restaurant row" to jump-start
revitalization efforts on Fourth. The goal is to have at least 10 new restau
rants open along Fourth, between Main Street and the Stevens Center. The
city is throwing in money to help people who want to open restaurants.
Several new restaurants have already opened. One of the most antici
pated eateries is behind schedule, though. A Caribbean-style eatery bearing
(he name of baskethall star Tim Duncan is slated to open in the new One
West Fourth building. Duncan, a standout on the world championship-win
ning San Antonio Spurs, is popular in this town as a result of years playing
at Wake Forest University.
City erects permanent marker to honor Hamlin, NBTF \
BY T. KEVIN WALKER
? THE CHRONICLE
Last September, as Mayor
Allen Joines was about to unveil a
historic honor for her son in the
heart of downtown Winston
Salem, Annie Hamlin Johnson's
mind wandered back in time.
She remembered the trials and
tribulations her son overcame 13
years ago to bring a theater festi
val featuring top-name actors to a
mid-size Southern city such as
Winston-Salem.
She also thought back to
when her son and two daughters
were just kids. Being a natural
thespian herself, Johnson on Sat
urday nights would set up a fake
stage in the family's home to
show her children how to enter
tain. Her son, she said, had star
potential and high hopes even
then.
By the time Joines and other
city officials had removed a black
cloak to reveal a permanent mark
er honoring Johnson's son and the
biennial theater festival he con
ceptualized and brought to
fruition, Johnson's face was
already covered with tears.
Friends and family members lov
ingly patted her on the back as she
made a futile attempt to capture
most of the tears in Kleenex.
"They are tears of joy," John
son said. "I feel he deserves this.
He worked very hard. I am proud
of him and all my children."
Larry Leon Hamlin, John
son's son. is no stranger to honors.
In the past year, he has been hon
ored with the key to Reidsvillc,
his hometown, and an award from
the Hollywood branch of the
NAACP. Bui Hamlin said he was
greatly touched and impressed by
the honor from the city - a weath
erproof marker in front of the
Stevens Center that features the
colorful seal of the National
Black Theatre Festival and an
inscription praising Hamlin for
his work.
"I hope that this...becomes an
Mayor Allen Joines, right, reads the marker to Larry Leon Hamlin; his wife, Sylvia; and Mayor I
Pro Tern Vivian Burke as others look on.
inspiration for all of the artists of
Winston-Salem. If you do excel
lent work, somehow, someway
the world will recognize it,"
Hamlin said.
Joines said the Hamlin marker
is the first in a series of tributes to
local artists along Fourth and
Trade streets. City officials hope
to construct a walk of fame simi
lar to the famous one in Holly
wood, where the names and
achievements of local artists will
be carved into the sidewalk!
Joines said the city wanted to
do something more for Hamlin.
That is why his honor will be at
eye level for pedestrians instead
of under their feet.
"We thought it was very
important to begin the recognition
program with the National Black
Theatre Festival," Joines said.
Much was made at the out
door ceremony ahout the millions
the NBTF has pumped into the
local economy. It is the largest
festival in the Triad, Joines said
Since the first festival in 1989 the
event has generated more than
WO million for the local econo
__rny Tte city's Convention and
Visitors Bureau said that High
Point's furniture market is the
only event in the Triad that draws
more visitors and dollars.
The festival also helped to
show city officials the potential of
the downtown area. During the
one-week festival, the energy
level ddWntown picks up substan
tially as NBTF visitors take
advantage of sidewalk dining and
enjoy other outdoor activities.
The city now has invested mil
lions in revitalizing downtown,
hoping to make the area vibrant
and attractive year-round.
"The National Black Theatre
Festival also supports our effort to
make downtown an exciting and
viable place for the citizens of
Winston-Salem," Joines said.