August 22, 2005
Purdue's Black Cultural Center rolls out red carpet for family day
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Black Cultural Center will kick off a semester-long celebration of African Americans in film with "Friends and Family Day 2005: Where Everyone is a Star" from 3-5 p.m. on Sept. 10 immediately following the Purdue/Akron football game.
Live entertainment, food and children's activities will take place at the Black Cultural Center, 1100 Third St. The event is free and open to the public.
"This will be an extravaganza of glitz and glamour, complete with red carpet," said BCC Director Renee Thomas. "Everyone in the community has a chance to become a celebrity and at the same time learn about the struggle of African-American artists and entertainers."
About 50 elementary school students from the Hanna Community Center in Lafayette will showcase their own artwork in the form of a star in the BCC's Children's Village, in which children will be invited to participate in story-telling, games and face painting.
Several BCC staff members will be wearing costumes of their favorite African-American film characters and will be on hand to answer questions.
The BlackBerry Jam Band from Indianapolis will perform theme songs from African-American films and television shows, and feature songs from the movies of Spike Lee, who will be speaking at Purdue Sept. 15.
Jennifer Stokes, a senior in agriculture from Detroit and member of the BCC performing arts ensemble Black Voices of Inspiration, will join the band for several songs. Another performing arts ensemble, the New Directional Players, will act out scenes from movies at the event.
"The BCC is a place where future stars are born in our performing arts ensembles, so we're pleased to give them a place to showcase their talent and treat the community to some outstanding entertainment at the same time," Thomas said.
Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu
Source: Renee Thomas, (765) 494-3092, rathomas@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
To the News Service home page