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AQ Public Relations Press Contact: Allison Queen (310) 621-7266 LOS ANGELES,
CA, May 30, 2006 – The View
Park Public Library, located at 3854 W. 54th Street in Los Angeles, will be
celebrating Juneteenth on Monday, June 19th at 6:00 p.m. with actor Adilah
Barnes appearing to take guests on an enlightening journey spanning over 400
years of struggle and triumphs… all in one evening.
Barnes’ performance, an excerpt from her internationally touring
one-woman show I AM THAT I AM: Woman, Black will encapsulate the lives of
historic African-American women beginning with the era of slavery. From its
Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of Juneteenth as the African
American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. It is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the
ending of slavery in the United States.
It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with
celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time
for reflection and rejoicing and a time for assessment, self-improvement and
for planning the future. In
cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions
are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that
shaped and continues to influence our society today. During this
jubilant and captivating journey through time, Barnes will bring to life the
lives of Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman, both of whom lived during
slavery as well as Mary McLeod Bethune, who was the first child of 15 to be
born free of slavery. Barnes states
“I am particularly looking forward to performing at View Park Library
because it is bringing me back to a county library, the very first
"real job" workplace I experienced at sixteen years of age. Also,
this will be my first time performing my solo show since my two sojourns to
Africa this year. I have no doubt the ancestors will speak to me on stage in
a very different way this time." In the full
performance of I AM THAT I AM: Woman, Black,” Barnes portrays seven
historical figures through time from slavery to present day and celebrates
the ability these women had in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles
to achieve their life callings by their undaunted faith and belief in
themselves. I AM THAT I
AM: Woman, Black has been described as a “whirlwind trip through time,
beginning in the years of slavery and leading up to the recent years.”
(The Daily Kent Stage, Kent State University, Ohio).
“She lifts off the pages the life and times of these women, instead
of reading it in literature” (Iowa Daily News).
I AM THAT I
AM: Woman, Black has toured three continents including North America, Europe
and Africa. In the United
States, it has been presented in 36 states from coast to coast from Alaska
to Maine and California to Florida. In 2000, it received international
acclaim in the Rotterdam Fabrikaat Festival in Holland. An excerpt of this
solo show was also presently recently to one of Adilah's acting classes in
Abuja, Nigeria at BOB-TV Market. Barnes is a
veteran television, stage and film actor, and Co-Founder and Executive
Producer of the Los Angeles Women’s Theater Festival.
She is best known to film audiences for her roles in Universal’s
award winning Erin Brockovich, HBO’s
Iron Jawed Women, Hallmark's Little John and to television audiences for her
role as “Anne Marie” on ABC’s Roseanne, for five seasons.
Barnes has also guest starred on CBS’ Cold Case, and WB’s Gilmore
Girls and many Barnes’
biography, “On My Own Terms: One Actor’s Journey will be released later
this year. This
Juneteenth celebration is being coordinated by Linda Dickerson, Community
Library Manager and Martha Abrams, Children’s Librarian. Both
can be contacted at the View Park Public Library by calling (323) 293-5371.
For
additional information, visit www.adilahbarnes.com.
For interviews, photos or information concerning upcoming
performances, contact AQ Public Relations at (310) 621-7266 or at AQPublic@sbcglobal.net.
NATIONAL TOURING SCHEDULE 2006
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