National and Local Entertainers Support Events

By Raymond Dean Jones

The 20th anniversary of the Denver Urban Spectrum will be celebrated with five days of fun, reflection, and education. Turning Page 20 will occur Wednesday through Sunday, Aug. 15-19, at various locations. The entire metropolitan community is invited to participate, and to bear witness to the great service the Spectrum has provided to the community. This publication has aimed to fulfill the need of communities of color to be informed of general news, events of interest to its people, and political, social, and economic issues of importance, but often not covered from the community’s perspective by larger media.

On the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 15, the celebration will kick off with a special regional premiere performance of Hattie…What I Need You To Know!, written and performed by noted vocalist and actress Vickilyn Reynolds of Los Angeles. This stage reading of the musical honors the energy, talent, determination, and power of Hattie McDaniel, who spent a substantial portion of her young life in Denver before going to Hollywood and establishing a successful film career. Her story provides a synergistic comparison to the drive and success of Spectrum publisher Rosalind "Bee" Harris in developing an award-winning newspaper devoted to serving the community. The debut performance will be presented at Shadow Theater, 14th Avenue and Ogden Street, to anniversary sponsors, award honorees, and VIPs. An encore performance, open to the public, will be held Sunday, Aug. 19, preceded by a reception.

On Thursday, the kick-off reception will be held at Cleatz Sports Bar in Denver, where the public can meet the guest entertainment, program talent, and honorees – up close and personal – in a relaxed adult atmosphere.

The celebration will continue with a black-tie dinner on Friday, Aug. 17.  The “Top 20” Awards Dinner will be held at the Hyatt Convention Center Hotel. Featuring the loquacious and engaging editor of The Denver Post, Greg Moore, the dinner will be the occasion to honor 20 individuals who, in Harris’ 20 years of publishing, have provided conspicuous levels of service to the community through various endeavors, such as journalism, community service, politics, laws, corporate, medical, arts, business, and other areas. Actor Bill Cobbs, best known for his role as the old man who shot Nino Brown in New Jack City, will be recognized and receive the ultimate gift award.

The awards dinner, along with other facets of the celebration, is a fundraising effort to support the Denver Urban Spectrum Youth Foundation, and its programs to encourage young people to improve their writing and other communications skills, and to seek productive careers in journalism and related professions. Youth from the foundation and other organizations in Denver will display their talent in various capacities throughout the celebrations.

In support of the fundraising effort, a silent auction will be held contemporaneously with the dinner. Several works of art by outstanding local and nationally known artists, as well as other items of considerable value, will be available for bidding. Although positioned as centerpieces at each table, works of art designed in the image of today’s youth by local artist and sculptor Deidre Hardin will also be for sale. Cash, checks, and credit cards will be accepted from those eager to assist the youth foundation.

The evening will end like it began with first-class entertainment. Gospel aficionado and keyboardist, Michael Williams, who penned the musical arrangements for Hattie, will play for vocalists Vickilyn Reynolds and newcomer Terry Black.

The celebration will continue on Saturday, Aug. 18, with the Turning Page 20 Free Community Festival at Fuller Park, adjacent to Manual High School.  Commencing at 2 p.m., and continuing until 8 p.m., the Festival will be a mélange of wonderful offerings by artists, businesses, and entertainers, with fun, food, prizes, and music for people of all ages.  It will be an opportunity to converse and rub shoulders with community leaders, neighbors, friends, and Spectrum personalities, and to make new friends.

Like the Spectrum itself, the festival will be an opportunity for all who attend to literally open their own personal pages to all aspects of the community, to reach out, and to communicate with others in a respectful and loving way, noting that such is the way to raise the consciousness of the community as to the talents of its people and the resources it contains to serve its people.

All members of the community are invited to come to some or all activities, and to be generous in support of the youth foundation.

Editor's note: For more information on sponsorship opportunities, tables, tickets; silent auction donations, volunteering, or participation in the community festival, call the Denver Urban Spectrum at 303-292-6446.

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