UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 26, Page 6
April 7, 1994
Black Arts Festival events planned through May 1

     The University Black Arts Festival 1994 will bring African,
African-American and Caribbean dance, music and drama to the Newark campus
through eight critically acclaimed arts events, including the Ko-Thi Dance
Company and the annual Black Arts Festival concert.
     The festival, with the theme "UNITY-Understanding Now Inspires
Tomorrow's Youth," officially opens today with a reception at 3 p.m. on the
lawn of the Center for Black Culture, 192 South College Ave. Vendors, food,
games and music are featured at this popular event.
     At 7 p.m. Saturday, April 9, the touching and well-received play
Mirror, written by University undergraduate Veronica Everett, will be
presented in Newark Hall auditorium, located on Academy Street.
     Everett's play, which she also directs, has Christian themes and deals
with issues resulting in the disintegration of the family unit. It depicts
struggles with alcohol abuse and the battering of seemingly helpless women
and children. A cast of more than 30 local actors of all ages and the
35-member Russell Delegation, a gospel choir, participate in the show.
     Mirror debuted at the Delaware Theatre Company and has been performed
at schools in Wilmington and at Lincoln University and Cheney State
University. It is scheduled to tour other colleges and universities in the
fall.
     Everett, a senior criminal justice major, is a native of Wilmington
and a graduate of William Penn High School. She said she had no idea she
could write until she felt compelled to create Mirror. Because of its
success, she has changed her plans to pursue a law degree after graduation
and instead plans to concentrate on writing and producing.
     Admission is $3 with University of Delaware ID and $4 for the general
public.
     On Wednesday, April 13, Ferne Yangyeitie Caulker-Bronson, founder and
artistic/executive director of Ko-Thi Dance Company Inc., will present a
discussion, "What's the Scenario: Rap Music, Is It Art or Noise?" The
lecture, free and open to the public, will be held at 7 p.m. in the Rodney
Room of the Perkins Student Center.
     On Friday, April 15, the annual National Panhellenic Council Step Show
will be held, featuring the performance competition of the primary black
Greek organizations, each of which will perform intricate step routines,
while incorporating traditional African and African-American themes and
rhythms.
     The Step Show will be held at 8 p.m. in Newark Hall auditorium, with a
party after the show. Advance tickets are on sale from noon-5 p.m. at the
Bob Carpenter Center box office and cost $10 for the show and party or $8
for the show alone. At the door, tickets will cost $10 for the show and $5
for the party. For ticket information, call Sue Scheppele at 837-1639.
     Rap artist Kris "KRS-ONE" Parker and Lords of the Underground will
perform at 9 p.m., Saturday, April 16, in Newark Hall auditorium. Tickets
for the concert are $10 for students and $13 for the general public in
advance and $15 at the door. For tickets, call 831-2991.
     On Saturday, April 23, the Ko-Thi Dance Company will perform at 8 p.m.
in Mitchell Hall, located on South College Avenue. The performance is
co-sponsored by the Center for Black Culture, the Cultural Programming
Advisory Board, the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, the Delaware Division of
the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
     Tickets, at $4 for University students, $8 for University faculty and
staff and $10 for the general public, may be purchased at the Hartshorn box
office, telephone 831-2204.
     The annual Variety Show, showcasing the talents of undergraduate
students, will be held at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 29, in Newark Hall
auditorium. Admission at the door is $4.
     The Black Arts Festival concludes on Sunday, May 1, with the annual
spring Gospelrama, organized by the University's Gospel Choir. The concert,
free and open to the public, is scheduled for Newark Hall auditorium, at a
time to be announced.
     For information, call 831-2991.