Event Alert/411: Fundraisers, a Festival and Free Money

The Southern Black Theatre Festival kicks off Thursday (tomorrow). The 10-day fesitval will feature live productions, panel discussions and social activities featuring (and honoring) some of the most outstanding Black plays, playwrights and actors in independent theatre. This event is sponsored by the Mahogany Ensemble Theatre (MET).

Events of interest this week include:

Thurs. September 18, 2008:

• 6:00 pm - Inaugural Festival Kick-Off Reception @ Multicultural Center of the South (401 Texas St.--Downtown Shreveport).

Sat. September 20, 2008:

• 10:00 am, 12:00 noon - Kuumba Arts Workshop @ Power & Grace School of Performing Arts (425 Ashley Ridge Blvd.; 318-869-4853) **There is a fee for this workshop
• 5 pm - Celebrating Black Youth Talent Showcase @ The Performing Arts Center
  400 Common Street--Downtown Shreveport (Hosted By Disney Channel Star Giovanni Samuels of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) ** There is a fee for this event
• 7:30 pm - The Dallas Black Dance Theatre @ The Strand Theatre (A Collaboration with the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet)

** For a complete list of events (and prices) go to www.southernblacktheatrefest.org/

• And stay linked to this blog for more on the festival as we grant you an all-access pass including interviews and photos fro several of the events!
  

The Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K Run/Walk is this Saturday (Sept. 20th), beginning at Mall St. Vincent.


Here's a rundown of the day's events:


7 a.m. - Breast Cancer Survivor Breakfast
7:30 a.m. - Recognition program
8 a.m. - Kids for the Cure 50-Yard Dash
8:15 a.m. - One mile run/walk
8:45 a.m. - 5K runners followed by 5K walkers
9:45-10:45 a.m. - Post Party and awards



Up to 75 percent of the net proceeds from the race will fund local breast health education projects and grants; a minimum of 25 percent of the net proceeds goes to The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Award and Research Grant program.


Cost for participation in the event: $25, through Sept. 19; $30, race day; $10, children age 9 and younger.


Call (318) 458-RACE (7223) for more information. (Racers/spectators will meet in the parking lot behind Sears).

• For more information on Breast Cancer ... Go HERE.

NAACP scholarships now available


Students across the state can apply for 10 scholarships awarded by the Louisiana NAACP.


The scholarships will be awarded in conjunction with the organization's state conference, which will be held Sept. 25 in Lake Charles.



The deadline to apply for the awards is Sept. 21. Students and parents may contact the local NAACP branch for more information.


The group is also encouraging high-schoolers to compete in the Afro-American Academic Cultural Technological Scientific Olympics. Students compete with others across the nation and winners travel to New York City for the 100th annual National NAACP Conference and may receive awards and other scholarships.


The statewide competition runs from September through April.


For more information on the competition, contact Scott A. Lewis III at (225) 952-0784 or via e-mail at SALewisIII@gmail.com.









Scouts troup to hold pancake fundraiser


Cub Scouts Pack 97 will kick off their fundraiser season at Applebee's Restaurant on Mansfield Road from 8 to 10 a.m. Sept. 20.


A $5 donation includes all-you-can-eat pancakes and juice.


For more information, call Kim Hunter at (318) 572-0520 or khunte@lsuhsc.edu.

OTHER STORIES OF INTEREST:

• Local school systems are having a hard time recruiting minorities ... Read about it HERE.

• Want to know when recycling starts in your neighborhood ... Go HERE.