Florida A&M University



PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Valencia E. Matthews
850.599.3430
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7 March 2005



Authors Rita Marley and Ilyasah Shabazz
Headline

Florida A&M University’s, 2005, Artists In Bloom Festival (ABF)
As spring approaches, FAMU hosts its third annual Artists in Bloom Festival
(ABF). The mission of the ABF is three-fold: to celebrate the arts, promote
literacy, and encourage healthy living.  The celebration takes place on the
weekend of March 18 – 20, 2005.

South Africa celebrated 10 years of democracy on April 27, 2004, Freedom
Day.  On Friday, March 18, the festival opens with A Decade of Democracy:
Witnessing South Africa which marks the historic moment through the visions
of emerging contemporary South African artists.  Located in the Foster-
Tanner Fine Arts Gallery, this exhibition will be followed by the FAMU
Essential Theatre’s production of Topdog/Underdog, a play by Pulitzer prize-
winning author Suzan-Lori Parks.   Topdog/Underdog is a dark comic fable of
brotherly love and family identity that tells the story of two brothers
Lincoln and Booth, names given to them as a joke by their father.  Haunted
by the past and their obsession with the street con game, three-card monte,
the brothers come to learn the true nature of their history.  This play
features FAMU Essential Theatre Alum James Webb.

On Saturday, March 19, the ABF promotes literacy with its book fair.
Featured writers include Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X, and author
of Growing Up X, and Rita Marley author of No Woman, No Cry:  My Life With
Bob Marley. The Youth section of the fair features Illinois author and FSU
graduate R.F. Harlow, Ph.D., who will share from his book, 101 Recitable
Poems for School Age Children (elementary through high school).
Additionally, FAMU students will screen their short films.

The healthy living component of the festival is titled, Family Fitness: Fit
to Fight.  This session is designed to celebrate the weight loss of
selected FAMU students, and to launch a Healthy Living Program for the
mind, body, and spirit.  FAMU TV 20 will chronicle the journey of the
participants who commit to a year-long regimen.  Fitness experts,
nutritionists, massage therapists, and estheticians will be on hand to
share tips on designing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  Testimonials
will be shared by the 50 and Fabulous crowd as well as elders from the
community.   The youth will get physical by participating in a hula hoop
contest and double-dutch competition.

Between 12 noon and 6 p.m. local artists will perform on the outdoor
stage.  Throughout the day, a variety of vendors will also sell their wares
and refreshments.

On Sunday, March 20 at 4:00 p.m. the festival concludes in Lee Hall
Auditorium with the 12th Annual President’s Concert performed by FAMU’s
Department of Music Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble.

FAMU’s ABF 2005 is a community event, an invitation for all to visit our
campus and  delight in the talents and skills of local and national artists.


For more information call 850.599.3430.