Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THEY SAID IT “Put on your red shoes and dance." DAVID BOWIE SINGER “Lightning in a Bottle'' and “Moolaadb" are two of the four films to be presented at the Nickelodeon Theatre. ■JJIIfJ PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK Four award-winning movies celebrate Black History Month By JENNIFER FREEMAN THE MIX EDITOR February is Black History Month, and along with the many on-campus events, the community is getting into the spirit of things. The Nickelodeon Theatre on Main Street is sponsoring the Fourth Annual African-American/International Film Festival today through Thursday. Four films are presented in this year’s festival. Three" celebrate music — blues, Afro-Peruvian and gospel. The fourth film, “Moolaade,” is the newest piece by respected African filmmaker Ousmane Sembene. “Lightning in a Bottle” will play today through Sunday at 7 and 9:10 p.m. with 3 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday. “Bottle” was made in 2003, when a group of blues artists, including B.B. King, Solomon Burke and Ruth Brown, came together at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall. The director, Antoine Fuqua of “King Arthur,” mixes images of that event with archive footage of the artists performing at Radio City at a younger age. Aerosmith, Chuck D and David Johansen are brought on stage to show the influence of blues on popular music. Benedict College will play host to a free screening of “Susana Baca: Memoria Viva” at 1 p.m. Saturday. Baca is a singer who has preserved the tradition of Afro-Peruvian music. She and her husband, Ricardo Pereira, founded the Instituto Negrocontinuo “Black Contimuum” in Lima as a facility for the exploration, expression and creation of Black Peruvian culture. “Lando,” or a slow-to-mid-tempo, highly evocative mix of Spanish, Indigenous and African rhythms, has become the sound of Black Peru and the trademark of Baca. This film is in Spanish with English subtitles and is not rated, but suitable for all audiences. IF YOU’RE GOING WHAT: Fourth Annual African American/International Film Festival WHERE: Nickelodeon Theatre WHEN: Today through Thursday The screening will take place in the Benedict College Ponder Auditorium at Harden and Blanding streets. Stanley Nelson, the recipient of a 2002 MacArthur “genius” Fellowship, will be at the Nickelodeon on Tuesday night to discuss his gospel-group documentary, “Sweet Honey in the Rock: Raise Your Voice.” Tuesday’s screening will be the second in the world, following its premiere at the Miami Film Festival last Wednesday. Sweet Honey in the Rock is a Grammy Award-winning African-American female a cappella ensemble with musical roots embedded in the sacred music of the black church — spirituals, hymns, gospel, jazz and blues. The five members use their voices and hand percussion instruments to tell a story, point out injustices and sing about love. The film tells the tale of their history and music through concert footage, interviews and archival stills. Screenings of “Sweet Honey in the Rock: Raise Your Voice” will be Monday and Tuesday at 7 and 9 p.m. Nelson will speak after Tuesday’s 7 p.m. showing. “Moolaade” will play at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, with a 3 p.m. matinee Wednesday. This story is about the all-too-common practice of female circumcision. It takes place in a small Africa village where ♦ Please see FILM, page 7 Greeks get to Steppin’ for black history month By SHANA TILL THE GAMECOCK African-American fraternities and sororities from all over the Southeast will get together tonight at the Colonial Center to celebrate Black History Month, as the Colonial Center will play host to the Eighth Annual Black History Month Step Off. Greek life members from USC, Allen University, Benedict College, Claflin College, S.C. State University and Clemson have been invited, along with other colleges and universities in the Southeast. “This event showcases the historical traditions of African-American fraternities and sororities while exposing at-risk youth to positive alternatives to street gangs,” a news release said. While USC fraternities will not participate in the step show, most plan on attending and showing their support. Justin Williams, Kappa Alpha Psi president and third-year public relations student, said he and his fraternity brothers are looking forward to the event. “We want to support the other Greeks in the area,” he said. “We participated in the AAAS [Association of African-American Students] show this year, and we think this event is good in that it celebrates our heritage and at least sewn years of black tradition.” Phi Beta Sigma might participate in the Step Off s party-hop contest. Travis Sheffield, Phi Beta Sigma president and fourth-year pharmacy student, said the contest is open to any group attending the show. “For the party-hop contest, members will be in a line doing something a little like stepping, but it’s usually to a jong at a party,” he said. Chi Upsllon Sigma President Nicola Bell said her sorority will be in attendance. During Step Offs last seven years, more than 6,000 students, faculty, friends, alumni and business leaders have offered their support for a function celebrating the Southeast’s strong sense of African-American pride. Step Off will honor some of the area’s community leaders and special businesses. They will be awarded for their dedication to their community. Step Off begins at 8 p.m. at the Colonial Center. Tickets are $13 in advance and $16 the day of the show. For more information, visit www.thecolonialcenter.com. The Eighth Annual Black History Month Step Off is sponsored by Johnson Communications, Celebrity Entertainment and VI2 Management. Comments on this stoiy? E-mail gamecockfeaturesd&gwm.sc. edu ASSOCIATED PRESS Prince Charles plans to marry his longtime sweetheart Camilla Parker Bowles. Parker Bowles will never hold the title of Queen. Charles to wed Parker Bowles By MICHAEL McDonough THE ASSOCIATED PRESS LONDON — Thirty years after their first romance, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, both now graying divorcees, will finally wed in a civil ceremony and put the official seal on a relationship Princess Diana blamed for the breakdown of her marriage to the man who would be king. In a nod to those who have not warmed to Parker Bowles, the royal family said Thursday she will never hold the title of queen but eventually will be called HRH Princess Consort instead. But usually reserved Charles seemed overjoyed simply to be able to take her as his wife. “I’m very excited,” the'prince said as he entered London’s storied Goldsmith s Hall and looked at wedding rings. In their first public appearance together since the announcement, Charles, 56, and Parker Bowles, 57, smiled broadly as they walked into a Windsor Castle reception Thursday night, and the guests applauded. A radiant Parker Bowles, wearing a fuschia gown, showed off her engagement ring against a black clutch bag. The platinum band, a royal family heirloom, has a square-cut central diamond with three diamond baguettes on each side. “Of course,” she said when asked by a reporter if Charles had gotten down on one knee to propose. “I’m just coming down to Earth.” The April 8 ceremony at Windsor Casde will be a far cry ♦ Please see PRINCE, page 7