Information: www.roswellgov.com
Fourteen years strong, the Roswell Roots Festival, named Best Cultural Event by the Southeast Festival and Events Association, winning Gold at the 2014 Kaleidoscope Awards, continues the tradition of offering unique glimpses and entertaining experiences as part of the upcoming month-long celebration of African-American history and culture.
Renowned Atlanta fine art photographer and cultural anthropologist, Sheila Pree Bright, returns as part of the screening and discussion of the recently released documentary film, “Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People.” She appears briefly in the film, and her photographs were featured last year in the “Invisible Suburbia” exhibit at Barrington Hall.
The film, inspired by the book, “Reflections in Black,” by Deborah Willis, displays historical and contemporary images from filmmaker Thomas Allen Harris and other notables, and offers glimmers of how African-Americans have presented themselves in photographs across recent centuries. This event scheduled for Feb. 4 is free and for mature audiences.
Seating will be limited, and likely in high demand, for the first Roswell Roots Bid Whist Card Party, taking place Feb. 6 at the East Roswell Park Recreation Center. Sponsored by the Kings and Queens Chapter of the American Bridge Association, the ABA was founded in 1932, a time when African-Americans were not permitted to play in the mainstream bridge league. Edith Jackson, a third-generation member of the ABA, and former president of the Kings and Queens Chapter refered to it as the “Jim Crow South.”
A tradition in African-American culture, and popular with college students and the U.S. military, it is generally accepted that whist came before bridge. In addition to playing the game, Morehouse College Professor Anderson Williams, will be there to give a brief history and lessons.
“Slammin’ in the Suburbs” Poetry Slam, returns to Historic Roswell Cottage in mid-February and features the performance art poetry of invited contestants and local contenders, each vying for audience approval and cash prizes. This free event is always well attended and entertaining.
More local talent may take the stage this year as a result of “Story Slam,” a new and on-going series hosted monthly at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, it allows storytellers to glean their craft and test their talents before a live audience.
“Lovers and Haters” is the theme for the upcoming competition slated for Feb. 9, and although there is an admission fee of $10, it drops to $5 with the donation of a pre-K children’s book which goes to Biscuit’s Books, an organization that works to promote literacy at an early age.
