FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Joanna Gerber
Director of Public Relations & Communications
Phone: 310.578.1080 x119
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Exciting community event to feature music, dance, readings and an interactive drum circle
CULVER CITY, CA – January 22, 2008 – Antioch University Los Angeles announces upcoming event celebrating Black History month scheduled for Friday, February 29, 2008 beginning at 6:30 pm. The community is invited to attend this interactive celebration of Black History Month involving a diverse lineup of literature, music, dance and drumming.
“Antioch once again is making history – black history – and it’s won’t be the first time.” said Dr. Claudia Owens-Shields, Director of Clinical Training for AULA and coordinator of the event. “Antioch College’s first President was famed Abolitionist, Mr. Horace Mann and the college proudly counts Mrs. Coretta Scott King as an alumnus.”
Antioch University Los Angeles, located in Culver City, is also the current academic home of Dr. Terry Roberts; one of the "Little Rock Nine" who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957and later received a Congressional Medal of Honor from President Clinton. Dr. Roberts in a core faculty member of Antioch’s Master of Arts in Psychology program and will be the moderator the February 29th event.
The evening will feature readings by pioneering African-American speculative fiction writer Tananarive Due. Ms. Due has just received an Essence Literary Award nomination for the novel CASANEGRA, which she co-authored with Blair Underwood and her husband, Steven Barnes. She is also a new faculty member in Antioch’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program.
Due is the daughter of civil rights activist Patricia Stephens Due, who is one of five Florida A&M University students who spent 49 days in jail after taking part in the nation's first "Jail-In" after their arrest at a lunch counter at a Woolworth in Tallahassee, Florida. Her father, civil rights attorney John Due, once represented Dr. King after a mass arrest in St. Augustine, Florida. Due and her husband Barnes are also a screenwriting team and recently sold their adaptation of Due's novel THE GOOD HOUSE to Fox Searchlight. Both Due and Barnes will be appearing at the event.
Also featured throughout the evening will be classical jazz and dance performances by local artists. The event closes with the return AULA’s Community Unity Drum Circle featuring Master Drummer Ayo Adeyemi.
“A few years ago, Antioch celebrated Black History month with our first African drum circle. It was incredibly powerful and moving and I still have people stop me to ask when are will be doing another one.” Added Dr. Shields.
The event begins at 6:30pm at the Antioch University Los Angeles campus located at 400 Corporate Pointe in Culver City. General parking is available in the structure adjacent to the University for a small fee, or free evening street parking is available.
Tickets are $15 per person, and include dinner and drum rental. Limited seating is available and reservations are strongly recommended by calling 310-578-1080 x603
For more information, please contact Joanna Gerber, Director of Public Relations at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or at (310) 578-1080 x119. Additional information on Antioch University Los Angeles can be found online at www.antiochla.edu .
###
Click here to download the full text (PDF) of this release
310.578.1080