Central MS Welcomes New Programs To Encourage Reading, Dialogue
Contact: Frank, Cici's Pizza (Brandon, MS)
601-591-
Stanley Clark, For The People Productions
601-559-
Cyrus A. Webb, Conversations Book Club/ Shadow Play Entertainment
cawebb4@
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Beginning in July 2009 Hinds and Rankin County will be adding to the heat with exciting projects including three new book clubs, a town hall-style meeting and outdoor family events.
Conversations Book Club, the nationally-recognized literary organization, is bringing three new chapters to Rankin County as part of its partnership with Cici's Pizza of Brandon, MS. The two began working together in 2007, now the popular eatery will be the home of book clubs geared towards teens, those who enjoy inspirational stories as well as celebrating Mississippi authors.
Stanley Clark, the co-founder of the new events called "Conversations At Cici's" (see www.conversationsatcicis.com)
Cici's Pizza will also be the new home of Rankin County's only weekly open mic night. Hosted by Cyrus A. Webb, "Spoken Word Fridays" at Cici's in Brandon will replace "Spoken Word Saturdays" that was held at Subway Restaurant in Pearl, MS. Webb believes that such an outlet is important to encourage expression among people of all ages. "When I first began hosting open mic nights it was to give people a voice," says Webb,33. As a spoken word artist himself, he has been participating in such events for over a decade. "'Spoken Word Fridays' will have something for the entire family. We welcome freedom of expression, however, all material will be suitable for a family setting."
On Monday, July 6, 2009 at 7p.m. CST (8p.m. EST/5p.m. PT) Cyrus A. Webb will be hosting an hour-long discussion on his radio show Conversations LIVE! commemorating the 180th anniversary of Prince Abd al Rahman's death. Rahman was an African Prince who was captured and sold into slavery in Natchez, Mississippi. Webb has interviewed Terry Alford, the author of the book about Rahman's life, as well as one of the producers of the documentary about him, and will play these during the show. Conversations LIVE! Radio can be heard live online at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/
Webb will also be hosting a free town-hall style discussion called "HIP HOP UNDER OBAMA: Change We Can Believe In?" It will discuss what if any effect having an African American President has had on the Hip Hop community, especially the music it produces. This will take place on Thursday, July 16, 2009 at the Margaret Walker Alexander Library in Jackson, MS beginning at 5:30p.m. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend and participate. (see www.best-of-
Shadow Play Entertainment's "Hip Hop and Books" literacy campaign will host a free concert on Saturday, July 25, 2009 at Smith Park in Downtown Jackson. The event will feature local and regional entertainment suitable for the entire family. Clark and Webb will be present with information about their other projects along with other vendors as well. Admission free, and details will be released at www.best-of-
For more information about any of the events listed, contact either Stanley Clark or Cyrus A. Webb.
