Emmy Award nominated actress CCH Pounder (Avatar & The Shield) and Audelico Award nominee Charles Reese and the James Baldwin literary performance/book signing salon comes to the Mayme Clayton Library and Museum in Culver City on Sat. Nov. 10 at 3 p.m.
Audelco Award Nominee, Cultural Architect and Editor, CHARLES REESE along with special guest moderator, and Emmy Award Nominee, CCH POUNDER brings the unique literary performance book salon experience to the newest cultural jewel in Culver City, CA—MAYME CLAYTON LIBRARY & MUSEUM (MCLM). 4130 Overland Avenue, Culver City, CA. 90230. Saturday, November 10, 2012 from 3:00pm-5:00pm. 310.302.1647. www.claytonmuseum.org
Actress and cultural doyenne, CCH POUNDER, who currently plays the role of Mrs. Irene Frederic on the SyFy Channel Original Series, Warehouse 13 states, " I am excited to have a conversation with Charles on the legacy of James Baldwin in today's society at the Mayme Clayton Library & Museum ."
“JAMES BALDWIN A SOUL ON FIRE,” a book version of the critically-acclaimed Off Broadway short play by the late playwright and Emmy Award Nominee, Howard B. Simon (1962-2000) is now available at Amazon.com. Edited and guided by the original Off-Broadway actor, Charles Reese with a special foreword by David Leeming (Baldwin’s Biographer and former secretary); and coupled with an afterword by original actor and Tony Award Nominee, Forrest McClendon (Scottsboro Boys). The book was published by Azaan Kamau/Glover Lane Press, an independent publisher.
David DeWitt of The New York Times declared, "JAMES BALDWIN A SOUL ON FIRE is funny, thrilling and wise buoyed by the passionate performance of Charles Reese in the title role." This short performance play book highlights Baldwin's innermost thoughts as he prepares for a secret historical meeting with Attorney General Robert Kennedy on May 24, 1963 in New York to discuss race relations in America--three months prior to the famous March on Washington. This lesser known Baldwin/Kennedy meeting was also attended by Harry Belafonte, Lorraine Hansberry, Lena Horne, Dr. Kenneth Clarke, Jerome Smith, a young freedom rider and others.
Reese states, “ It is so wonderful to reunite with my mentor and colleague,CCH Pounder on the eve of James Baldwin’s 25th anniversary of his departure from the literary, political and cultural scene. " Ms. Pounder appeared in the only film adaptation of one of Baldwin’s books, “Go Tell It On The Mountain”—so this performance book salon experience with Reese and Pounder is a very special treat for Mayme Clayton and for the global community for which the cultural institution serves.
The James Baldwin Literary Performance Book Salon Experience with Charles Reese and special guest moderator, CCH Pounder, coupled with master percussionist, Chazz Clarence Ross will include some rare archival footage of the Off Broadway play and music in the gallery areas; selected performance readings by Reese from the newly published book in the Court House Theatre@ MCLM, followed by a lively conversation lead by CCH Pounder. Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm. Book signing immediately follows the Q&A. Books will be available for $15 USD.
The event is Free and Open to the Public. Please RSVP: 310.302.1647. Email: soulonfire63@yahoo.com.
For media inquires, please contact: TEC Communications Inc., soulonfire63@yahoo.com
