Spring's song - Travel Guide - travel tips for African Americans - Brief Article

WEEKEND getaways, special air, rail and cruise rates, festivals and beach parties--it's springtime. As a traveler's fancy turns toward milder weather, it's time to plan to take a trip. Black family reunions are beginning or in the planning stages, Black college students are heading for spring break trips and the convention season is revving up. Don't miss the fun. Check the city's listed here for special activities that are going on in your hometown.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WHERE

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

* National Association of Black Social Workers Convention. Hyatt Regency Hotel. April 2-6.

ATLANTA

* The Dance on Widows Row. Play by Samm-Art Williams, presented by Jomandi Productions. 14th Street Playhouse. April 6-28.

* Sweet Auburn Spring Fest. Auburn Avenue. April 26-28.

BALTIMORE

* 2002 Mayor's Billie Holiday Vocal Competition. Center Stage. Noon-4 p.m. April 13.

CHICAGO

* Kasimu & the Coconut Palm. A play by the ETA, music score by Lynn Hilton. April 8-May 24.

* The Buffalo Soldier: The African American Soldier in the U.S. Arm, 1866-1912. Exhibit from the collection of Anthony L. Powell. The DuSable Museum of African American History. Through April 7.

CLEVELAND

* TRI-C JazzFest. Various locations. April 10-21.

DEARBORN, Mich.

* American Association of Blacks in Energy Convention. Hyatt Regency-Dearborn. April 24-26.

DETROIT

* Over the Line: The Art and Life of Jacob Lawrence. Exhibit at the Detroit Institute of the Arts. Through May 19.

* NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner. More than 10,000 people gather annually to make this event the largest fund-raising dinner in the world. Cobo Conference Center. April 28.

HOUSTON

* 2002 Houston International Festival. Downtown Houston. April 19-28.

JACKSON, Miss.

* National Conference of Black Mayors Convention. Crowne Plaza Hotel. April 24-27.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.

* 10th Annual World of Nations Celebration. Various locations. April 21-28.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.

* Primeval Whirl, a new coaster-like attraction, opens in April at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

MEMPHIS, Tenn.

* Anniversary Commemoration for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Civil Rights Museum. April 4.

* Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival. Various locations. April 18-21.

* Sixth Annual Black Writers Conference & Southern Film Festival. Peabody Place and various downtown venues. The conference will include a tribute to Langston Hughes on the 100th anniversary of his birth.

NEW ORLEANS

* Black Spring Break 2002. Concerts, step shows, poetry/freestyle, parades, games, rides and more. Jazzland Amusement Park. April 5-6.

* Porgy & Bess Opera. The New Orleans Opera's first-ever staging of this landmark work. Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts. April 11 & 13.

* French Quarter Festival. A free community event celebrating the food and music of New Orleans, featuring the "world's largest jazz brunch." April 12-14.

* Dinah Was. Southern Rep Theatre's play. April 19-May 19.

* New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. More than 70 bands on 12 stages performing jazz, gospel, Cajun, Zydeco, R&B, funk and the blues. April 26-May 5.

NEW YORK CITY

* "The Thundering Herd--Evocations of Woody Herman." Featuring the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Alice Tully Hall. April 11 & 13.

ST. LOUIS

* Frederick Douglass Comes to Life. A program on the life story of the 19th century escaped slave, abolitionist, journalist and champion of racial equality. Old Courthouse. April 6.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

* Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History reopens following extensive renovations and additions to its historical collections chronicling the African-American experience. Now open. (Note: Officially reopened Feb. 11, 2002).

ISLAND DESTINATIONS

BARBADOS

* Congaline Street Festival. Congaline Village features food, local arts and crafts, reggae and calypso music. April 22.

* Heroes' Day. National Holiday. April 28.

BERMUDA

* Bermuda International Film Festival. Various sites. April 12-18.

CURACAO

* International Food, Beverage and Cultural Festival. April 30.

JAMAICA

* Carnival. Ocho Rios, Kingston and Montego Bay. Month-long festivities.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

* Arts Alive. Jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon. Tillett Gardens. April 7.

* Opening of Carnival Village. St. Thomas. April 22.

* Carnival Children's Parade. St. Thomas. 10:00 a.m. Rothschild Francis Square Market Square to Lionel Roberts Stadium. April 26.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group