Intercom Online......January 27, 2000

The following events and exhibits are planned in observance of Black History Month:

Penn College

n Sunday, Feb. 13: Movie -- "Ghosts of Mississippi," 8 p.m., Bush Campus Center, Penn's Inn;

n Monday, Feb. 14: Movie -- "Ghosts of Mississippi," 2 and 8 p.m., Bush Campus Center, Penn's Inn

n Tuesday, Feb. 15: CoffeeHouse musician Tony Jarvis, 8 p.m., Bush Campus Center, CoffeeHouse. Jarvis plays a unique blend of funk, blues and folk music;

n Thursday, Feb. 24: Lecturer Carl Upchurch will discuss "Civil Rights for the 21st Century" at 8 p.m., Klump Academic Center Auditorium. Upchurch grew up in the ghettos of Philadelphia with no direction or parenting. He dropped out of school at age 9 and spent much of his youth in juvenile detention facilities and later, 13 years in federal prison for armed robbery. Upchurch takes his past to task and looks for others to do the same by speaking out against gang-related violence and addressing what we can do to further the civil rights movement.

n Friday, Feb. 25: Comedian Mark Anthony, 9 p.m., Bush Campus Center, Penn's Inn.

Penn State Abington

n Feb. 2: Pinpoints Theater presents "1001 Black Inventions" at noon in 108 Lares. Peek into the amazing lives of men and women whose genius impacts us.

Incorporated in 1980, Pin Points Theatre integrates academic subjects into theatrical formats that instruct and inform. Its contemporary and historic adaptations have been highly acclaimed by the Smithsonian Institution and the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

n Feb. 9: "Just As I Am" is the title of a talk to be given by E. Lynn Harris, successful African American novelist, at noon in 108 Lares. Since self-publishing his first novel in 1991, Harris has gone on to become the most successful African American novelist in publishing history -- selling more than 1 million copies of his four books over the past five years. Harris recently released Abide With Me, a sequel to Just As I Am, his popular second novel (1994).

n Feb. 22: Pianist Raymond Jackson will perform at noon in Sutherland Auditorium.

Penn State Berks

n Feb. 3: "Blues Works," a well-seasoned acoustic/electric style of blues, will perform at Tully's Cafe at noon.

n Feb. 7: René Hicks, an African American comedian with a message, will perform at 9 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Theatre. Hicks is a two-time recipient of the National College Comedian of the Year Award.

Penn State DuBois

n The award-winning PBS video series "Eyes on the Prize," will be featured.

The public may attend this special presentation, which chronicles the struggle for Civil Rights in America from 1954 through the mid-1980s. Each video is approximately 60 minutes long, and will be shown at 12:05 p.m. in the Hiller Building Auditorium on the dates listed below. Admission is free.

-- Jan. 31, "Ain't Scared of Your Jails," (1960-61)

-- Feb. 2, "No Easy Walk," (1961-63)

-- Feb. 7, "Mississippi: Is This America?" (1962-64)

-- Feb. 9, "Bridges to Freedom," (1965)

-- Feb. 10, "The Time Has Come," (1964-66)

-- Feb. 14, "Two Societies," (1965-68)

-- Feb. 15, "Power!" (1966-68)

-- Feb. 16, "The Promised Land," (1967-68)

-- Feb. 17, "Ain't Gonna Shuffle No More," (1964-1972)

-- Feb. 21, "A Nation of Law?" (1968-1971)

-- Feb. 23, "The Keys to the Kingdom," (1974-1980)

-- Feb. 28, "Back to the Movement," (1979-mid-1980s)

For more information about the series, contact the Penn State DuBois Student Life Office at (814) 375-4766.

Penn State Harrisburg

n Feb. 9: Pin Points Theatre presents the play "1001 Black Inventions" in the Olmsted Auditorium at noon. The free presentation from the Washington, D.C.-based theatre group offers insights into the lives of men and women whose genius impacts the world every day.

n Tuesday, Feb. 15: ABW Productions/Genesis Modeling Agency presents a "Fashion Extravaganza" from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Olmsted Auditorium. Students, faculty, and staff will be participating in the program.

n Wednesday, Feb. 23: "Voices of Africa," a female vocal and percussion ensemble, will perform at 6 p.m. in the Olmsted Auditorium. The group performs a unique blend of a cappella harmonies and resounding polyrhythms.

n Thursday, Feb. 24: Readings of African American playwrights at noon in the Gallery Lounge.

Penn State Lehigh Valley

n Jan. 24-Feb. 4: Ethnic treasures exhibit celebrating the Afro-American experience features artifacts from 1790 to modern times. Some of the artifacts from slavery include shackles, slave bills of sale, and anti-slavery documents as well as Civil War and reconstruction period items.

Curator and collection owner Barry Anthony will be available to discuss the intent and purpose of the exhibit at the display opening on Monday, Jan. 24, at noon. He also will be on campus the following dates and times: Monday, Jan. 24, from 5-6:30 p.m.; and Monday, Jan. 31 from noon-1:30 p.m. and 5-6:30 p.m. For more information about the collection, contact Anthony at (610) 435-1808.

n Jan. 26: Pinpoints Theatre will present the play "1001 Black Inventions" in the Atrium at 1 p.m. at Penn State Lehigh Valley Enjoy a fun-filled look at the inventive contributions and ingenuity of African Americans which daily impact society.

n Feb. 9: At 1 p.m., René Hicks, an African American comedian with a message, will visit Atrium on campus. Hicks is a two-time recipient of the National College Comedian of the Year Award.

Both performances and the ethnic treasures exhibit are free.

n Feb. 23: Will Power will present "The Gathering: A Hip Hop Journey to the Meeting Places of Black Men" at 1 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Theatre. "The Gathering" is a solo stage show that blends hip hop, spoken word and storytelling.

Penn State McKeesport

nFeb. 5: The Mapapa African Acrobats from Mombassa, Kenya, will perform at 4 p.m. in the Wunderley Gymnasium. The seven-member troupe combines acrobatic feats with an East African musical tradition. The performance immediately follows the Penn State McKeesport men's basketball game.

nFeb. 9: Gregory Kenney gives a one-man theatrical presentation of "Rosa, Please Keep Your Seat," at 7 p.m. in the Buck Union Building stage area. Kenney portrays Just'n Truth, a young man who was on the bus the day Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat.

nFeb. 15: Pin Point Theatre of Washington, D.C., presents "1,001 Black Inventions" at 1:30 p.m. in the Buck Union Building stage area. The program is intended to take the audience into a world devoid of all inventions by African Americans. This fun-filled look at the contributions and ingenuity of African Americans examines their impact on daily living.

nFeb. 22: Safarace, a drum and dance troupe, combines their pounding West African rhythm and dance in a colorful and inspiring performance at 7 p.m. in the Buck Union Building stage area. Members will conduct an African dance workshop at 1:30 p.m.

Penn State New Kensington

nFeb. 1-29: African American Art Exhibit featuring BIKO, The Artist. BIKO's paintings and sculptures will be on display in the Art Gallery; hours are Monday-Friday, noon to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

nFeb. 2: "The Underground Railroad," 1 p.m. in the Theatre. Larry Glasko, associate professor of history at the University of Pittsburgh, will discuss the secret routes and hiding places used to help slaves escape during the 1840s-1860s.

nFeb. 16: At 12:30 p.m. Pin Points Theatre will perform the production of "1001 Black Inventions" that uses drama, music, singing, dance and humor to illustrate the vastness of African American ingenuity in science and technology.

nFeb. 23: Celebrating Kwanzaa, presentation and demonstration at 1 p.m. in the Theatre.

nFeb. 29: African American Read-In Chain, 9:30-11 a.m., Theatre Lobby. Faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in this event by reading works by African American writers. Reading material will be provided or you may bring your own.

All programs are free.

Penn State Wilkes-Barre

nFeb. 3: Pin Points Theatre presents "1001 Black Inventions" in the Science Building Auditorium, 7 p.m. A play which takes you into a hilarious world where all African American inventions disappear.

nFeb. 9: Linda Trompetter, executive director of the College Misericordia Diversity Institute and the Northeastern PA Diversity Education Consortium will speak about the consortium; Hayfield House 105, noon.

nFeb 23: Lambs Bread will perform reggae music; Student Commons, noon.

Penn State Shenango

nFeb. 17: At 6 p.m. in the campus auditorium, a benefit concert featuring local gospel music choirs and "praise" dancers will be held. Admission is $3 and proceeds will go to the Penn State Shenango Minority Student Assistance Fund. For more information, call (724) 983-2846.

University Park

nFeb. 1: Film "Skin Deep" and discussion at 7 p.m. in Heritage Hall of the HUB-Robeson Cultural Center.

nFeb. 4-6: The School of Music will present three performances of Celebration of African-American Spirituals. The concerts will be given at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, and Saturday, Feb. 5; and at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6. All of the performances are in the School of Music Recital Hall. Tickets are $2 and are available at the door before the performances or by calling (814) 865-0431. The Feb. 4 and Feb. 5 concerts will feature The Penn State Glee Club, student and faculty vocalists and guest artists. The Feb. 6 performance will feature Essence of Joy, under the direction of Anthony Leach, assistant professor of music.

nFeb. 6: An African American Read-In will be held from 4-6 p.m. in Heritage Hall of the HUB-Paul Robeson Cultural Center. This celebration of African American literature will include food, music, awards and performances and prizes. Contact Elaine Richardson by e-mail at ebr2@psu.edu or call (814) 865-0028 for more information.

This event takes place one day before the 11th National African American Read-In in which a chain of 1 million readers across the country will honor African American literature through their readings on Monday, Feb. 7. Instructors may request a reading list from Richardson. Anyone who would like to participate should go to the Robeson Cultural Center from noon until 2 p.m. on Feb. 7 for food and a discussion of African American culture and literature. John Rickford and author Ishmael Reed will be on hand.

nFeb. 9: Film "The Songs Are Free" at 7 p.m. in Heritage Hall of the HUB-Robeson Cultural Center.

nFeb. 11: Philadanco will perform at 8 p.m. in Eisenhower Auditorium.

nFeb. 17: Film "Furious Flower" on the poetry of Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Amiri Baraka, Haka Madhubbati and others at 7 p.m. in Heritage Hall.

nFeb. 18: The College of Communications will welcome James Turner, founding director of Cornell University's Africana Studies and Research Center. Turner will give a presentation on "New Millennium Challenges for African Americans" in Heritage Hall in the HUB-Robeson Cultural Center at 6 p.m. The program, which is free, will include a performance by United Soul Ensemble and Nommo African Dancers as well as a buffet of ethnic food prepared by Gwen Dunn.

nFeb. 19: "A Touch of Africa" dinner/dance sponsored by the African Student Association. Time and location to be announced.

nFeb. 21: Films "Quilombo" and "Crucible of Empire" with discussion to follow at 7 p.m. in Heritage Hall.

nFeb. 22: 10th Annual Malcolm X Lecture with A. Peter Bailey at
7:30 p.m. in 112 Kern Building

nFeb. 23: Professor Pamela Trotman-Reid will discuss "African American Women: Images, Issues and Ideas for the Future" at 7:30 p.m. in Heritage Hall.

nFeb. 25: "Black Quest," the African American knowledge game.
7 p.m. Heritage Hall.

nFeb. 26: The Miss Black Penn State Pageant. For more information, call (814) 865-1779.

nFeb. 29: Lecture by attorney Leonard Weinglass, lawyer for Mumia Abu Jamal, at 7:30 p.m. in Heritage Hall.

Penn State Worthington Scranton

An art exhibit of great African Americans in history will run through the month of February in Study Learning Center Quiet Lounge. In addition, throughout February the Penn State Worthington Scranton Library will display books and audio and video cassettes by and about the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

nFeb. 3: Free lecture on "Seize the Time -- Issues Pertaining to Student Activism" by Bobby Seale at 7 p.m. in the Multi Purpose Building. Seale is former chairman, surviving founder and national organizer of The Black Panther Party. For more information, call the Penn State Worthington Scranton Student Activities Office at 963-2700.

nFeb. 23: Pianist Raymond Jackson will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Study Learning Center. During his performance/lecture, Jackson will explore the music of 20th-century black Americans.

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