A dance into history (Charlotte, N.C.)

[Blue_Tires]

With trumpets and drummers, dancers and jazz, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture officially opens Saturday with 17 hours of activities.

After a morning ribbon-cutting for the $18.6 million building, the day's free activities will start with dance and drumming. Things won't end until 3 a.m. Sunday, when a jam session concludes after an evening of musical performances.

There will be face-painting, puppeteers and stories for children.

One key appearance will be that of Vivian Hewitt, who will talk about how she and her late husband assembled the Hewitt Collection, a body of 58 works by 20th century African American artists. Donated by Bank of America, it is the cornerstone of the center's permanent collection.

Also appearing will be actress Victoria Rowell of "The Young and the Restless," doing a signing for her book, "The Women Who Raised Me." Her husband, Radcliffe Bailey, will also speak about his exhibition at the Gantt Center.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/312/story/1014509.html

I remember when Gantt spoke to my Jack and Jill group when he was running for senate in '90...Even though I was living in VA that was one of the first political races I followed very closely...