Did You Know … - festivals, exhibits - Brief Article

... The freedom schooner Amistad will leave Mystic Seaport, Conn., to make its debut in New York Harbor for the July 4 OpSail 2000 tall ships parade? The 136-ton, 129-foot Amistad has more than two years and 45,000 hours invested in its construction. William Pinkney, U.S. ambassador to Sierra Leone, will serve as the ship's captain, and Wayne Bartow, the ship's only African-American professional shipwright working on the project, will serve as supervisor of volunteers. After hitting New York, the Amistad will sail with hundreds of vessels to New London, Conn., to dock from July 11 to July 14. For more information, call (860) 572-5315.

... A new museum, the Experience Music Project, has opened in Seattle? The museum is an interactive tribute to the evolution of American popular music through jazz, soul, gospel, blues, hip-hop, rock 'n' roll and country. The museum includes displays ranging from Bo Diddley's custom-made, rectangular guitar to Quincy Jones' trumpet. The Experience Music Project will also host concerts, music camps and discussion forums. Call (206) 770-2700 for more information.

... The fourth annual Acapulco Black Film Festival, presented by UniWorld Group Inc. and the Black Filmmaker Foundation, will be held June 5 to 10? In past years, the event has hosted such guests as actress Pam Grier, singer Isaac Hayes, filmmaker F. Gary Gray and actor Larenz Tate. This year, the festival will expand its film competition to include audience awards for Best U.S. Film, as well as for Best International Film and Best Work-in-Progress. Panel topics will include discussions about the hit film The Best Man, directed by Malcolm Lee. Call (212) 219-7267 for more information.

... The first-ever national academic conference and festival on Chicago's food history premieres June 24 and 25 at the Chicago Historical Society? "Grits, Greens and Everything in Between: The Foods of the African Diaspora and American Transformations," presented by the Culinary Historians of Chicago and the Chicago Historical Society, is a biennial celebration of the city's ethnic food heritage. The mission of the conference is to trace the history and tradition of African-American foodways. The fun-filled festival will also feature food samplings and a showing of the critically acclaimed film Soul Food, starring Vanessa L. Williams and Vivica A. Fox. Call (815) 439-3920 for more information.

... Gordon Parks was honored at the Reel Harlem Film Foundation launch in March? Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Harry Belafonte, Iman and others paid tribute to the legendary film pioneer at Aaron Davis Hall in New York City. The Reel Harlem Film Foundation chose to honor Parks because he represents the film-making legacy that it hopes to continue. The foundation hosted its inaugural celebration to announce its establishment as a multicultural, international center for film and video production, exhibition and education.

... The 28th Annual JVC Jazz Festival will be held June 12 to 24 in New York City? The event will host such greats as Dianne Reeves, Maceo Parker, the world famous Count Basie Orchestra, Cassandra Wilson, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle and Max Roach. The festival will take place at 24 venues throughout the city. For more information, call (212) 501-1390.