Paul Robeson to be honored with performance
By PHYLLIS SIDES
Journal Times | Posted: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 12:00 am
When you give kids a book, you give them the world. And on Sept. 8, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 2710-A S. Green Bay Road, will help give that gift by collecting new books for Cops 'N Kids Reading Center. Customers may buy any new children's or teen book for the center, and Barnes & Noble will collect and deliver the books. If customers advise cashiers they are buying the books for Cops 'N Kids, a percentage of the sale also will go to Cops 'N Kids. For more information, call Midge Green at (262) 598-9757.
A worthwhile performance
For those of you who admire the talent of Paul Robeson, an upcoming production of Next Act Theatre in Milwaukee is the ticket you want to purchase. "An Interview with Paul Robeson" opens at the Off-Broadway Theatre at 342 N. Water St. in Milwaukee on Sept. 20 and runs through Oct. 21.
In an effort to raise awareness of Robeson and his many accomplishments, excerpts from the production also will be performed at community outreach programs around Milwaukee by Paul A. Mabon Sr., star and co-author of "An Interview with Paul Robeson."
Robeson was an exceptional athlete, actor, singer, scholar, author and political activist. He grew up in Princeton, N.J., the son of a former slave who became a Presbyterian minister and a teacher.
At 17, Robeson received an academic scholarship to Rutgers University, where he lettered in football, baseball, basketball and track, earning 12 varsity letters and becoming a two-time All-American. In addition to his athletic talents, Robeson was a Phi Beta Kappa scholar who graduated valedictorian of his class in 1919.
He went on to study law at Columbia in New York and received his degree in 1923. Robeson worked as a law clerk in New York, but discrimination caused him to leave the practice.
He returned to his childhood love of drama and singing and found work as an actor. Robeson starred in Eugene O'Neill's "All God's Chillun Got Wings" in 1924, and "The Emperor Jones" in 1925. With songs such as his trademark "Ol' Man River," he became one of the most popular concert singers of his time.
Tickets for "An Interview with Paul Robeson" are available at Next Act's Off-Broadway Theatre box office at 342 N. Water St., Milwaukee, by telephone at (414) 278-0765, or online at
http://www.nextact.org/
A special recognition
A special citation from the Wisconsin State Legislature was presented to the family of the late Randall Prideaux of Union Grove in honor of his years of service to the community. A special ceremony was held Aug. 17 at Union Grove Lumber. State Rep. Robin Vos, Jeff Nelson, Renee and Grace Nelson, Randy Prideaux Jr. Linda Prideaux and former state Sen. Cathy Stepp were at the presentation. Prideaux was a former village president and a longtime member of the Village Board and president of Union Grove Lumber. He passed away June 1.
Let's go
to the movies
September also offers us the opportunity to expand our horizons when the Milwaukee International Film Festival returns Sept. 20-30. The festival offers music, documentaries and a collection of thought-provoking films from around the world. Tickets go on sale Wednesday. More information about the festival is available at
http://www.milwaukeefilmfest.org/
Steppin' out
Downtown Racine Corp. is seeking entries for its 2007 Holiday Parade, "The Enchanted Christmas." This year's parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 10. Parade applications are available at the DRC office at 425 Main St. or may be downloaded from http://www.racinedowntown.com/d_holidayparade.html.
Applications should be returned to the DRC office by Oct. 1. For more information, call DRC at (262) 634-6002.
Phyllis Sides is a reporter for The Journal Times. This column, about the good stories of good people in Racine County, appears each week. She can be reached at (262) 631-1714 or by e-mail at: