FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

‘ALL MY CHILDREN’ STAR HEADED TO DCC FOR 25TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION

DANVILLE, VA, February 14, 2007 -- Tonya Pinkins, known for her role as Olivia “Livia” Frye Cudahy on

Tonya Pinkins

 the ABC TV daytime drama, “All My Children,” will kick off the 25^th Annual Celebration of the Arts, March 26-30. The presentation by the actress will be held Monday, March 26, at 7:00 p.m. in Temple Building, Room 110. Other events during the week-long celebration include:, music, drama, at, literature and the annual writers’ workshop.

 In 2004, Pinkins was described by talk show hostess Oprah Winfrey as one of the “Ten Women in America Who Will Take Your Breath Away.” As a Tony award-winning actress and self-described “modern day Renaissance woman,” she carved her niche in the entertainment world on stage as Sweet Anita in “Jelly’s Last Jam,” receiving the Tony award, Drama Desk Award and the Clarence Derwent Award, which is given annually by the Actors' Equity Association.

She also won the 2005 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and was nominated for a Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for her role as a southern maid in Tony Kushner’s hit Broadway musical, “Caroline, or Change.” The musical takes place in 1963 and addresses issues such as race, class, death and money.

A native of Chicago, IL, Pinkins studied theatre, music and dance at Carneigie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Currently, she teaches “The Actorpreneur Attitude,” a course for aspiring actors that focuses on “no acting” and the premise that theatrical success is not entirely based on sense memory and vocal techniques.

In addition to her teaching, Pinkins has published her book, Get Over Yourself: How to Drop the Drama and Claim the Life you Deserve and has recorded an album, titled My Shinning Hour in honor of Harold Allen. The album is part of the American Songbook Series and celebrates the 99^th anniversary of the composer and is based on her one-woman cabaret show. As a positive, strong-minded woman, Pinkins is also the co-creator of Operation Z, an organization that stands for zero tolerance of violence against women and children.

Other events during the week-long Celebration of the Arts include:

March 26

“An Evening with Tonya Pinkins”

7 p.m. , Temple Building, Room 110.

Featuring Tonya Pinkins, known for her role as Olivia “Livia” Frye Cudahy on the ABC TV daytime drama, “All My Children.”  Reservations recommended. Call Russell Scruggs, Assistant Professor of History, and Coordinator of the annual Celebration of the Arts, at 434.797.8513 to reserve seats.

March 27

“African Art Through the Western Eyes: An Introduction to Learning to See Beyond the Museum Image”

11 a.m., Temple Building, Room 110.

This lecture-slide presentation introduces the audience to the power, meaning and relevance of African art from ancient to contemporary works of art. The presentation is led by Dr. Mary Ellett, formerly the Director of the Adult Degree Program and Community Education at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, and is provided in cooperation with the Partnerships Program of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, VA. Ellet has contributed to and published numerous books and essays including Masterworks of American Art from the Munson-William’s-Proctor Institute, Great Lives from History: Renaissance to 1900 and “Isabel Bishop: The Seamless Web.”

Workshop by IONA

12:30 p.m., Temple Building, Room 110.

The event includes the history of Celtic culture and music, fiddle and vocal techniques, how to play the

 bodhran and whistle, Breton dance and the basics of Highland dance. Due to limited space advanced reservations with exact numbers of attendees are required. Contact 434.797.8513 or toll free at 800.560.4291, ext. 8513 to reserve seats.

“Rhythm and Roots: Celtic Style”

7 p.m. , Temple Building, Room 204.

IONA, an energetic pan-Celtic band from Burke, VA, demonstrates the evolution of Celtic music and its connection with dances. In concert, IONA explores the range of human emotion through their music and features music and dance from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and the Isle of Man, as well as Brittany (France), Asturias and Galicia (Spain), and Cape Breton, among others. Band members include IONA cofounders Barbara Ryan (lead vocal, guitars, bouzouki, and bodhrán) and Bernard Argent (wooden flute, whistles, doumbek, and vocals). Also part of the team are Andrew Dodds, champion Scottish fiddler; Chuck Lawhorn (bass guitars, vocals, whistle); and Susan Walmsley.

March 28

“Steadfast and Spirited: Stories of the American Revolution”

9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m., Temple Building, Room 204.

In honor of the 400^th anniversary of Jamestown, storyteller Lynn Ruehlmann portrays colonists who were involved in the American Revolution. The program includes stories about the Stamp Act, Deborah Simpson (a female soldier in the war), Peggy Shippen Arnold (Benedict Arnold’s wife) and Phillis Weatley (a slave who earned fame and respect as a published poet). Reservations required. Contact 434.797.8513 or toll free at 800.560.4291, ext. 8513 to reserve seats.

March 29

The Odyssey retold by Lynn Ruehlmann

8 a.m. ,Temple Building, Room 203.

The Odyssey, Homer’s epic story about Odysseus’ journey home after the Trojan War, is retold by Lynn

Lynn Ruehlmann

 Ruehlmann in this vivid, accessible rendition. In the tradition of Homer’s minstrel, Ruehlmann augments the story by playing Greek music on a traditional harp. Reservations required. Contact 434.797.8513 or toll free at 800.560.4291, ext. 8513 to reserve seats.

“Radio Dayze” Dance Matrix, LTD,

7 p.m. ,Temple Building, Room 110.

The history of radio from its beginnings to the present via dance. The performers will “travel through time” in a presentation enhanced by nostalgic music, clips from radio broadcasts and PowerPoint slides. Dance Matrix LTD, from Fredericksburg, VA, is directed by Beverly Mendez.

March 30

“A Twenty-fifth Anniversary Celebration of the Arts Gala”

2 p.m. ,Temple Building, Room 110

Celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the Celebration of the Arts programs at Danville Community College with a lively afternoon of fun and inspiration. The event includes a reception and presentations of painting, photography, woodworking, piano, vocal renditions, gospel music, banjo picking, readings from original creative writings and more by members of the college’s faculty and staff.

March 29-30

Annual Writers’ Workshop

Constructive criticism and writing supervision is offered to all creative writers of poetry and prose. Materials

Dr. Alan Cheuse	Adrian Blevins

 must be submitted to Danville Community College’s library, the Whittington W. Clement Learning Resource Center (LRC), by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 15, 2007. The poetry aspects of the workshops are conducted by Adrian Blevins, poet, Virginia native, and Creative Writing Professor at Colby College in Waterville, ME. The fiction/nonfiction aspects are led by Dr. Alan Cheuse, novelist and professor at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.

March 29

“How I Write”

11 - 11:50 a.m., Temple Building, Room 110.

An informative discussion about the writing of poetry and prose, by guests Adrian Blevins and Dr. Alan Cheuse.

Small Group Sessions

1 - 3 p.m., DCC campus, Location TBA.

 Critiques of participating writers’ works led by guests Adrian Blevins and Dr. Alan Cheuse.

March 30

Small Group Sessions

9 - 10:50 a.m., DCC campus, Location TBA.

 Critiques of participating local writers’ works led by guests Adrian Blevins and Dr. Alan Cheuse.

Readings by Adrian Blevins and Alan Cheuse

11 - 11:50 a.m.,  DCC campus, Location TBA.

All events are open to the public and are offered free of charge. For more information about the events, please contact Russell Scruggs, Assistant Professor of History, and Coordinator of the annual Celebration of the Arts, at 434.797.8513; toll free: 800.560.4291, ext. 8513, or click here.