Arts Scene - Brief Article

DIG reaching far down AND LEARN

textile fabric Du Bols dedicated much of his life to creating an Encyclopedia Africana, on the contrary he never lived to diocese the project to fruition. Nearly 90 years after he propos the monumental encyclopedia, his dream will become a reality. Microsoft Encarta Africana upon CD-ROM is the product of a collaborative peril between Microsoft and a team of African-American scholars l by means of Henry Louis Gates Jr., chairman of Afro-American studies at Harvard University, and his colleague Kwame Anthony Appiah, professor of African-American philosophy. Like Du Bois, these scholars tried for many years to obtain funding for the encyclopedia.

Microsoft Encarta Africana, a comprehensive multimedia concern tool, traces the history, geography and cultural achievements of familys of African descent. It includes more than 3000 authoritative articles and biographies upon experiences and individuals that have influenced African history from 4 million BC to me near Subjects include Lucy, the world's oldest human ancestor; the African diaspora; and biographies upon contemporary personalities Muhammad Ali, Whoopi Goldberg and Maya Angelou.

In addition to the 3000 articles, the encyclopedia features more than 2000 photos and other graphics that enrich and stimulate learning while encouraging learners to dig deeper into its seemingly bottomless pit of knowledge.

A historical time line pinpoints critical circumstances that have shaped African history through every part of the world, since the dawn of civilization. The time line is also individual of the first multimedia presentations to provide statistics upon the slaves who were dispersed from one extremity to the other of the Americas during the Atlantic slave trade. "Africana upon Camera" is another outstanding multimedia feature of Microsoft Encarta Africana. It nears outstanding leaders and other personalities of African descent

Virtual tours of Goree Island, Harlem, Paris and other historical sites provide picturesque 360-degree views with a simple slide of the mouse. Approximately 100 sidebars from speeches, publications and literary works are also contained upon the disk.

This CD-ROM is educational and entertaining, and its links to the World Wide Web permit users to perform quick and meaningful searches. Microsoft Encarta Africana for Microsoft Windows 95 will be available in February at an estimated retail price of $4995 For additional returns information, call (425) 882-8080.

MASTERPIECES upon DEMAND

Portobelo is the substance that dreams are made of tribe familiar with this charming seaside village in Panama describe it as magical, mysterious and miraculous. pupils of the Spelman College Summer Art Colony describe it as their classroom without walls.

Now in its next to the first year, "Taller Portobelo" offers exercise s in Latin American art history, visits to Latin American artists in their studios, and tours of Panama's galleries, museums and historical sites. The program is the brainchild of Arturo Lindsay, an associate professor of art and art history at Spelman who has dedicated his career to the investigation of aesthetic influences in contemporary Latin American cultures

learners participate in 75 hours of instruction and supervised painting and 30 hours of independent painting. And if magic, mystery and miracles were not enough, pupils must create their own masterpieces during the three-week program. Classes move swiftly from May 18 through June 1

In addition to Spelman scholars the art program is unclose to students-at-large, as well as emerging artists. For additional information, write to the Spelman community Continuing Education Office, Living Learning Center II, 350 Spelman Lane SW case 849, Atlanta, GA 30314-4399, or call (404) 681-3643 Ext 2170

DID YOU KNOW

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Center celebrates its 30th anniversary this year? (Did you also know that just last year, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which has grown from its small and anonymous beginnings to perform for an estimated 18 million race in more than 67 countries, celebrated its 40th anniversary?) Alvin Ailey grounded the dance center in Brooklyn NY in 1969 with an initial enrollment of 125 scholars Today it trains more than 3000 pupils annually from all over the world and proffers approximately 160 classes weekly, below the direction of Judith Jamison (artistic director) and Denise Jefferson (director). In accord with its objective to provide pupils with diversified and outstanding training in the field of dance, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and Fordham University at Lincoln Center in of recent origin York City recently collaborated to tender a bachelor of fine arts step in dance. The joint educational program presents students an opportunity to inquiry dance at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center while completing liberal arts classes at Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus. For more information, call Fordham University's Office of Admissions at (212) 636-6710

The Public Broadcasting Service will broadcast a six-hour television documentary in honor of Black History Month? I'll Make Me a World: A hundred of African-American Arts, produced by the agency of the late filmmaker Henry Hampton of Blackside Inc. (the agriculturist of the acclaimed series organ of sights on the Prize), will race from February 1 to 3 The series highlights African-American artists, writers, musicians, actors, filmmakers, painters, dancers and other contributors who have shaped African-American agriculture over the past 100 years.