Schedule of Events
September 2005
Sept. 11: UD music faculty recital
A free recital that is part of the University of Dayton’s Second Sunday series will kick off the University’s Year of Diverse Voices, a theme for campus arts performances throughout the academic year. Read more
November 2005
Nov. 3: An Evening with Paul Laurence Dunbar
(University of Dayton, Boll Theatre at 8 p.m.) An
evening of poetry and song in honor of the
centenary of the death of Paul Laurence Dunbar,
Dayton’s native son. Poet Herbert Woodward
Martin has dedicated a large portion of his
professional life to the study and performance
of Dunbar’s work and will cover the life and work
of this African American poet. Tickets are $14 for
the general public, $8 for UD faculty, staff and
alumni, and $5 for students. Call (937) 229-2545.
December 2005
Dec. 7: Deadline for the 21st Annual Paul Laurence Dunbar
Poetry Prize, sponsored by Sinclair Community College’s English department. Call (937) 512-3078.
January 2006
Jan. 1-28: "In Praise of Dunbar: The Man, The Dream, The Voice" art exhibit. Coordinated and curated by internationally known artist and educator Willis "Bing" Davis, Ebonnea Gallery. Free. Call 223-2290.
Jan. 28: Paul Laurence Dunbar exhibitions
The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce will hold a 2 to 4 p.m. opening reception on Saturday, Jan. 28, to kick off a yearlong exhibition, ''Celebrating 100 Years: The Life and Legacy of Paul Laurence Dunbar." Envisioned as a ''costumed tea party,'' visitors are asked to wear period clothing, though dressing up is optional. During the year, visitors also will be treated to such diverse events as interpretative readings, writing and creative thinking activities, musical presentations and writing competitions. For information, call Valena Randolph at (937) 376-4944, ext. 115.
Jan. 1 to June 30: Display of first editions of Dunbar books, Wright State University’s Dunbar Library. Free. Contact Dawne Dewey at 775-2011.
February 2006
Feb. 1-28: Paul Laurence Dunbar: Common Ground. Dayton Opera revives this operatic theatre work that uses Dunbar’s poetry to explore the many areas of human existence common to us all. Read more.
Feb. 1-28: “In Praise of Dunbar: The Man,
The Dream, The Voice’’ art exhibit.
Coordinated and curated by internationally
known artist and educator Willis “Bing’’ Davis,
Schuster Center lobby. Free. Call 223-2290.
Feb. 3: Unsung Hero presented by Top Brass
(7:30 p.m. at Wright State University, Apollo Room,
Multipurpose Room, Student Union) In recognition of
Paul Laurence Dunbar’s life and untimely death 100
years ago, the Wright State Artist Series is
pleased to present Top Brass performing Unsung
Hero, featuring the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar
brilliantly set to music by four of America’s premier
composers. Two guest vocalists and narrator join the
five members of Top Brass for a thoroughly entertaining
program of music and poetry presented in varied and
energetic styles. For more information on this concert,
contact the Wright State University Department of Music
at (937)775-2346. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this
program with state tax dollars to encourage economic
growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment
for all Ohioans.
Feb. 5: Paul Laurence Dunbar: Common Ground. (3 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 5301 Free Pike -- corner of Free Pike and St. Rt. 49).Dayton Opera is presents a special, free public performance of its original piece Paul Laurence Dunbar: Common Ground. No tickets are required, but space is limited. The program will open with a presentation of opera arias during the first half followed by Paul Laurence Dunbar: Common Ground in the second half. The performance will feature Dayton Opera’s Artists-in-Residence, accompanied by Music Director Jeffrey Powell and staged by Daytonian Sheila Ramsey. For more information call Pam Eyink at 937/228-0662, Ext. 3091. Read more.
Feb. 8: All-day celebration featuring song, poetry readings and faculty presentations in Robson Auditorium at Central State University. Special focus on examining the relationship between Dunbar and poet and author Hallie Q. Brown. Free. Call (937) 376-6007.
Feb. 9: A commemorative dinner will be held at the Dayton Engineers Club, 110 E. Monument Ave., at 5:30 p.m. Mitchell Capel, nationally known storyteller and interpreter of Dunbar's works, and the Central State University Choir will present, ''Dunbar…100 Years Ago Today!" Sponsored by the Dunbar House State Memorial. For dinner tickets, call 443-0249. Tickets are $30.
Feb. 9: On the centennial of Dunbar's death, local school children and community members will gather at Woodland Cemetery at 10 a.m. for a graveside tribute. A reception and sharing of Dunbar's works will follow. Free and open to the public. For information, call 224-7061.
Feb. 13 to March 19, 2006:
Sinclair Community College
Dunbar: Life, Work & Legacy (LIT 297-S1)
Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. - 1:40 p.m.
Winter B-term, 3 credit hours
Taught by Furaha Henry-Jones
For more information, call 937-512-3078
Feb. 17: World renowned poet Nikki Giovanni
will speak at the Victoria Theatre at 8 p.m.
Featuring steel drum music as pre-lecture
entertainment. Co-sponsored by the University of
Dayton’s Diversity Lecture Series and English
department. Tickets are $18 and $12.
Feb 22: An Evening of Poetry and “Spoken-Word” Performances In Celebration of the Centennial of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s Death from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wright State University. 5:30 reception and refreshments. Sponsored by the Ellis Human Development Institute and African-American Women in Professional Psychology (AAWIPP). Location: School of Professional Psychology, Duke Ellis Human Development Institute, Corner of W. Third St. & Edwin C. Moses Blvd.. Please RSVP to (937) 775-4300. Free and open to the public.
Feb. 24: Nationally recognized poet
Michael S. Harper will deliver a keynote
reading from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Charity Earley
Auditorium at Sinclair Community College. The
reading will be free and open to the public.
Michael S. Harper has published more than ten
books of poetry, including Songlines in Michaeltree:
New and Collected Poems (University of Illinois
Press, 2000); Honorable Amendments (1995);
Healing Song for the Inner Ear (1985); Images of Kin (1977),
which won the Melville-Cane Award from the Poetry Society of America and was nominated for the National Book Award; Nightmare Begins Responsibility (1975); History is Your Heartbeat (1971), which won the Black Academy of Arts & Letters Award for poetry; and Dear John, Dear Coltrane (1970), which was nominated for the National Book Award. He was the first Poet Laureate of the State of Rhode Island (1988-1993) and has received many other honors, including a fellowship from the Guggenheim Foundation and a National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Award. Michael S. Harper is University Professor and Professor of English at Brown University, where he has taught since 1970. This event is sponsored by a grant from the Office of Student Activities, Sinclair Community College
Feb. 25-26: DCDC's "In the Spirit of..." will
include the poetry of Dunbar. This performance
is a collaboration between DCDC and a mass community choir under the direction of Mrs. Euna Thompson. Location: Masonic Temple.
March 2006
March 25: “Paul Laurence Dunbar: The Eyes of the Poet” Herbert Woodward Martin, professor emeritus of English and poet-in-residence at the University of Dayton, will bring to life the passion,pain, drama, humor and humanity in Dunbar’s dialect and standard English poems in a 1 p.m. performance at the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center, 16 South Williams St. (corner of West Third and South Williams). Sponsored by the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. Free. Call (937) 225-7705.
March 26: Dunbar Checkers Tournament, 2-4 pm
Dunbar House – Ohio Historical Society
Dunbar was known as the King of the Checkerboard. His playing board is on display at the Dunbar House. Beginning in January, the Dunbar House will work with Edison School to target third grade students to enter this competition. Visitors may come to watch the 12 champions emerge from this final phrase of the competition at the site.
Visitors’ tickets -$3, free for OHS members.
The house will not be open for tours during this event.
April 2006
April 23: A Celebration of Paul Laurence Dunbar Through The Arts. (3-5 p.m. at Wayman Chapel AME Church) The program will include the following presentations: A historical account of the relationship between Paul Laurence Dunbar and the Wright Brothers; Inspirations through the Wright to Dream; a presentation on the significance of dialect used in Dunbar’s work; Recitations of poems written by Dunbar -- presented by elementary, secondary, high school students and adults from Wayman/community; Musical selections and liturgical dance performances; A presentation of visual arts and an exhibit of historical documents archived at Wayman. A reception will be held in Flanigan Hall (adjacent the church) following the program.
April 28: Dunbar High School will present an evening of tribute, featuring their students reading selected Dunbar works, as well as performances by Laverne Ski, DCDC and the Dayton Ballet. Artwork by Bing Davis -- or Dunbar students inspired by Bing Davis -- will be displayed. Contact Lillian Drakeford, curriculum and instruction coach, Dunbar High School.
May 2006
Meeting my new friend Paul
On May 3 at noon in the Bolinga Center at Wright State University, Furaha Henry-Jones will share her personal reactions to the work of Paul Laurence Dunbar and facilitate discussion about the impact his work has had on individuals' lives. This hour will include readings of Dunbar's work with trombone accompaniment by G. Scott Jones. She will also share her thoughts on the Dunbar Centenary Conference at Stanford University and discuss her 5th and Main Poetry Project, where she has started reading Dunbar's poetry to Daytonians who are waiting on the bus. All are welcome to attend and share their ideas, experiences and feelings.
June 2006
June 16-18: Dunbar High School's alumni association will hold what organizers hope will be the largest all-class reunion. Call Larry Ogletree at 268-3276.
June 17: (noon to 8 p.m.) Annual Wright-Dunbar Market Days Festival, a family-oriented community festival celebrating the life and accomplishments of Paul Laurence Dunbar in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village on W. Third St. Sponsored by Wright Dunbar Inc. Call (937) 443-0249.
June 17 (5 p.m.)
5k Jump Back Jog during Wright-Dunbar Market Days Festival.
July 2006
July 29: Crowns of Fashion, 1-4 pm
Dunbar House – Ohio Historical Society
In celebration of the book, Crowns, a study of hats worn to church by African American women, this event takes a look at the tradition of hats as a fashion statement within the community. The Dunbar House will be the highlight this tradition with a fashion show and share the history of Matilda Dunbar, Paul’s mother, and her church hats.
Site admission is adults $7 and children $3.
August 2006
Aug: 27: Games of Dunbar's Time, 1-4 pm
Dunbar House – Ohio Historical Society
Families will love this event where they can escape the fast pace of today’s daily life and participate in games of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s time. Featured will be badminton, horseshoes, croquet and parlor games. Site admission is adults $7 and children $3.
September 2006
Sept. 10: Dunbar Interpreters to perform in Los Angeles, 12-4pm. Location TBA
Several top Paul Laurence Dunbar interpreters will gather to
perform Dunbar's stories, plays and poetry. They include Oni Lasana, Bobby Norfolk and other nationally renowned Dunbar enthusiasts. For more information, call Samuel Reece at (310) 874-0554.
Sept. 30: Croquet with the Celebrities, 3-5 pm.
Dunbar House – Ohio Historical Society
Local personalities will challenge each other in the popular game of Dunbar’s time -- croquet. The public will be able to watch the game and participate in the silent auction in the Visitor’s Center.
Site admission is adults $7 and children $3.
October 2006
Oct. 7 (8 p.m.) and Oct. 8 (4 p.m.): DCDC will stage the world premiere of a new dance work inspired by the poetry and life of Paul Laurence Dunbar at the Victoria Theatre. Choreographed by Broadway choreographer Dianne McIntyre. Tickets range from $12.50 - $45. Call (937) 228-3630. This work is made possible by generous funding from The Kettering Fund and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Oct. 14: Java and Jazz, 6-9 pm
Dunbar House – Ohio Historical Society
Jazz was a fundamental part of the Black community and culture in Dunbar’s time. Come to the Dunbar house “coffee house” for the evening and enjoy local jazz musicians and light refreshments and coffee in the courtyard. Reservations needed. Tickets are $10 for adults, OHS member adults- $8. 937-224-7061 or 800-860-0148
November 2006
Nov. 25: Elizabeth Florence Wellness Day, 10 am to 2 pm
Dunbar House – Ohio Historical Society
This community-based event is done in conjunction with the Wright State Medical Center, who is developing a medical center in the Dunbar neighborhood. Health screenings done by the Wright State Medical program will be provided. Elizabeth Florence, Dunbar’s sister died in childhood due to lack of money to see a doctor.
House will not be open for tour. Event is free.
