Savannah State University News January 19, 2013 2013 Savannah Black Heritage Festival opens Feb. 1 The Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD) ensemble of Denver, Colo., will kick off the 24th annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival (SBHF) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at the Savannah Civic Center. Presented by the city of Savannah and Savannah State University, the 2013 festival theme is "Living the Legacy: Celebrating the Life of Westley W. Law." Inspired by the African-American experience, the nationally-respected dance ensemble will present a mixed repertory program featuring works by internationally renowned contemporary choreographers and American dance masters such as Milton Myers. The program includes "Fusion," which was commissioned by Robinson to draw attention to the plight of Haitian artists following the country's devastating earthquake in 2010. Choreographed by Haitian master dancer Jeanguy Saintus and debuted in 2012,"Fusion" explores the union of bodies, souls, communities and cultures and its potential to create solidarity, openness and hope. The choreography blends elements of folk performance, free improvisation, voodoo religion, African, French and indigenous Indian influences. The company is sponsored in part by a New England Foundation for the Arts National Dance Project grant. Prior to the dance performance, the 2013 SBHF honorees will be presented. They are Allen Fireall (art), Huxsie Scott (music) and Robert L. Stevenson (theater). While the performance is free and open to the public, a general admission ticket is required. The free ticket distribution will begin on Jan. 18 at three locations in the city: Savannah Civic Center box office, Lester's Florist and Cumulus Broadcasting. Also, there will be designated ticket locations for military families and senior citizens. A maximum of four tickets will be issued per person. A limited block of tickets will be available at" Will Call" to accommodate tourists. On the day of the performance, unclaimed seats will be released to waiting patrons 10 minutes prior to curtain call. Information regarding ticket distribution locations will be posted on the festival website: savannahblackheritagefestival.com<http://www.savannahblackheritagefestival.com/>. While in the city, the CPRD ensemble will present several performances and classes for local youth, including a free master class open to community dance students ages 12 and up from 3:30-5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31. Dance instructors or parents of dance students should call 912-358-4309<tel:912-358-4309> for information and reservations. The student-focused programs presented by the dance ensemble are sponsored in part by Gulfstream Aerospace and Target. The 2013 festival is the 14th produced by Savannah State University. All festival events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit savannahblackheritagefestival.com or call 912-358-4309. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.