Join us in honoring poet, educator and activist

Friday, May 28, 2010 

 

Art Sanctuary's Board of Directors and Staff cordially invites you to attend our Lifetime Achievement Awards ceremony honoring world-renowned poet, activist, and Virginia Tech professor Nikki Giovanni. 

The show which is a wonderful cross between the Tony Awards and a family reunion will feature a musical tribute from jazz guitarist Monnette Sudler-HonestyOriginal SNCC Freedom Singers; a performance by poets Sonia Sanchez, Bassey Ikpi and Oni Lasana; a youth tribute by Art Sanctuary's North Stars; plus a special video tribute by hip-hop band The Roots. Host Veronica Chamber, author (Kickboxing Geishas) and Glamour magazine editor.

One of the most widely read American poets; Giovanni has written some 30 books for adults and children. Her autobiography, Gemini, was a finalist for the National Book Award. She's won NAACP Image Awards for five of her titles-Love Poems, Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea, Acolytes, Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat, and Blues: For All the Changes, which also reached #4 on the Los Angeles Times bestsellers list. Most recently Rosa, her children's picture book about Civil Rights legend Rosa Parks, became a Caldecott Honors Book and reached #3 on The New York Times bestsellers list. Shortly after its release, Bicycles: Love Poems reached #1 on Amazon.com for poetry. She is currently a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Event Info

Friday, May 28, 2010
6:00pm-8:00pm

Church of the Advocate

1801 W. Diamond Street (entrance on Gratz Street)
Philadelphia, PA 19121

215-232-4485

Admission:

$20 - online

$25 - at the door

Tickets can be purchased here

Journalists kick off the festival on Wednesday, May 19^th, the birthday of Malcolm X, discussing the role of bias and assumptions in news stories.  On Thursday, May 27^th, at the Union League, see a screening and talk with the writer of a film about black golfers before they were admitted to the PGA tour. Starting Friday morning, we flood the city with writers, illustrators, and filmmakers who discuss their work with 1,500-2,000 students.  There's the literary party of the year for Nikki Giovanni.  And then, on Saturday: panels, workshops, a basketball tournament, teachers' symposia, Family Pavilion, spoken word, community tributes, and a main stage panel on Temple's campus.

Partner Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra crowns Saturday evening with a performance of American classics at Temple's newly renovated Baptist Temple on Broad Street.

For a complete schedule of events click here.