[00:00:18.600] The following program is produced [00:00:20.280] by Community Video Services of Durham Technical Institute. [00:00:25.360] [music] [00:01:05.840] Good evening, I'm Cynthia Watts. [00:01:08.360] Welcome to the Arts in Durham. [00:01:10.720] The Durham Arts Council and the Durham Recreation Department [00:01:14.280] has sponsored several jazz in the park concerts [00:01:17.371] in our community this summer. [00:01:19.520] The concerts have featured some very talented jazz musicians from our area. [00:01:24.440] Bob Gunter, Director of the Arts in Durham, [00:01:27.040] and I went to Duke Park to spend [00:01:29.760] an evening in the park with the jazz musicians [00:01:33.243] and the community residents. [00:01:35.240] The residents brought out their blankets, [00:01:37.320] their picnic baskets, and everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves. [00:01:41.600] We would now like to show you Yusuf and Friends [00:01:45.657] in Jazz in the Parks. [00:01:47.271] [jazz music] [00:05:56.360] - [Yusuf] Thank you, thank you, [00:05:57.440] thank you all so very kindly for your royal presence [00:05:59.804] and connoisseurship. [00:06:01.200] All right. All right. [00:06:02.814] [jazz music] [00:06:11.557] [jazz music] [00:08:32.040] Thank you. [00:08:33.240] Thank you. [00:08:37.160] As you can see it was a very enjoyable Saturday evening. [00:08:41.080] We have some very talented musicians in this area, [00:08:44.243] and I ask you to support these musicians. [00:08:46.640] Help these young artists. [00:08:48.357] Give them a boost, support their events, [00:08:51.360] attend the Jazz in the Park concerts. [00:08:53.671] And [?]. This Sunday [?] [00:08:55.600] will be held at Hillside Park starting at two o'clock. [00:08:59.680] I talked briefly with Brother Yusuf [00:09:02.243] after his performance on the stage. [00:09:04.520] Let's watch an interview with a very beautiful man, [00:09:08.520] inwardly and outwardly, Brother Yusuf. [00:09:16.440] Duke Park with the man that needs no introduction to the Durham community. [00:09:20.840] A man that has shared his life with this [00:09:22.760] community now for many, many years, [00:09:25.143] a man that is respected in this community. [00:09:28.160] I would like to introduce those who do not [00:09:30.160] know who I'm talking about to [00:09:32.457] one fantastic, beautiful human being— [00:09:37.040] Brother Yusuf. Welcome. [00:09:37.286] And a man that loves you all. [00:09:39.857] [speaking in Arabic] Peace be unto you all out there. [00:09:42.760] - [Cynthia] Sitting in the park listening to you this evening. [00:09:46.160] A man that is a composer, [00:09:48.400] a man that is a pianist, I'm quite sure that you stay very, very busy. [00:09:54.520] What, [00:09:55.160] between those two disciplines of music, is your favorite? [00:10:00.200] Wow. [00:10:01.640] Well, really it's so related [00:10:03.200] my sister, really, [00:10:04.800] that as soon as one is born, the other one is in its shell, really. [00:10:13.040] Its a spontaneous thing as far as I'm concerned. [00:10:15.040] I am inspired. [00:10:16.760] Everything that I really rely on is inspiration [00:10:19.520] because like I said I do feel God and I relate to that. [00:10:23.880] - [Cynthia] I want to talk about the other two artists [00:10:26.480] that were on the stage with you—the bass player and the vocalist. [00:10:31.280] I enjoyed both of them. [00:10:32.720] Let's talk a little bit about them. [00:10:34.600] Certainly. [00:10:35.640] Brother John Davis is a very talented, [00:10:39.040] talented little bass player. [00:10:41.280] And this is just representative of the kind of [00:10:44.843] talent and the artists in the area. [00:10:47.960] These brothers and sisters constantly come [00:10:49.560] to me at the club and different places [00:10:51.914] and get up on the stage and really execute. [00:10:55.560] Like I said, I'm almost 50 years old now. [00:10:57.720] On July the 10th [00:10:58.520] I'll be going into my 50th year. [00:10:59.800] And I know what is happening and what I see happening in the Triangle area [00:11:03.720] it looks to me like divinity in playing. [00:11:05.600] People are so beautiful here. [00:11:06.920] The temperature and the temperament are both harmonious. [00:11:09.920] [?] in my particular nature, It's beautiful. I love it here, sister. [00:11:12.280] It's beautiful. [00:11:13.280] Now, sister Eve Cornelius [00:11:15.280] is a very talented little young sister [00:11:18.200] I met about a year ago. [00:11:19.960] She came to me, another [00:11:21.429] piano player named Alma Gibson sent her to me, and she [00:11:23.600] came to me and then said, "I want to sing and I can sing." [00:11:27.120] So when somebody comes to you like that, [00:11:28.280] the only thing to do is start the introduction up [?]. [00:11:30.800] And since then, she's really proven to be a very [00:11:33.840] promising, developing little artist, very talented. [00:11:36.800] She writes. When she came to me, [00:11:39.280] she had already went to school and learned how to [00:11:42.286] score her own tune. [00:11:44.440] She's very talented and it's a very spiritual pleasure playing with her. [00:11:48.160] - [Cynthia] I want to talk about the Salam. [00:11:51.800] What programs are the Salam offering right now? [00:11:52.600] Well, the Salam is offering a whole bunch of— [00:11:54.871] Salam is really a community. Its nothing but an extension of the community. [00:11:59.360] I'm saying that to say it's not [00:12:00.920] an economic situation because you have four people incorporated. [00:12:05.000] Like we have three continents represented in our incorporation. [00:12:07.640] We have a little sister from India. [00:12:10.640] Sister [?] who represents the continent of Asia. [00:12:12.240] You have myself representing the African continent [00:12:14.847] and we have two hip [00:12:16.040] Caucasian brothers, young and spiritual and energetic and shared. [00:12:20.880] And all of us have the same idea. [00:12:21.680] And that kind of [00:12:23.880] essence from the ownership is really [00:12:26.240] reflected in what's happening. People responding to that warmth and love. [00:12:28.960] We just happen to have the best food in the town. [00:12:32.840] But we're done with doing things with the kids. [00:12:35.200] [?] [00:12:35.600] I'm having a ball hanging out with the kids every day. [00:12:39.000] I program clean up things [?] just walking around the street. [00:12:45.600] Manicuring the gutters and sidewalks. [00:12:47.160] Not just sweeping up, but we get the dust out of them and it's beautiful. [00:12:51.160] So like I said, God is blessing me. [00:12:52.600] I'm really happy because I'm seeing so many beautiful people become human. [00:12:57.280] I'm seeing humanity [00:12:58.840] become contagious to the point where [00:13:01.157] inhumanity is almost not visible anymore. [00:13:03.520] All praises due to our God. You understand, right? [00:13:06.160] [?] I'm happy. [00:13:08.640] It's contagious. [00:13:09.160] I find that being happy is contagious [00:13:11.440] because I hate to see so many people walking around with mean mugs on [00:13:14.960] and they can't explain it. They can't really explain it. [00:13:20.360] We're so far into each other, [00:13:21.600] we've been so strange and [00:13:24.963] defensive of each other, but we're coming around. [00:13:27.271] I see us heading to utopia sister, I'm optimistic. [00:13:30.640] - [Cynthia] I am too. [00:13:31.413] I see it happening. [00:13:33.320] Now, like I said I'm almost 50 years old and when I can be [00:13:35.080] in the State of North Carolina sitting here being interviewed in Duke Park [00:13:38.720] by a Caucasian brother and sister, [00:13:40.971] by a Bilalian or African American sister, [00:13:44.800] as the interviewee and all these Caucasian brothers and sisters [00:13:48.440] and all these Bilalian African American brothers and sisters out here [00:13:51.640] in social harmony and no funny bad vibrations, everything. [00:13:56.840] I got a right to be optimistic because I remember [00:13:59.960] when, from my position I couldn't see nothing but up you understand. [00:14:02.960] And this is beautiful. I see humanity and it knocks me out. [00:14:05.960] I got to be happy because I see people beginning to be human again. [00:14:09.200] All praises due to Allah. [00:14:10.960] - [Cynthia] I want to thank you very, very much [00:14:13.214] for sharing this time with me. [00:14:14.800] Thank you my sister. [00:14:15.440] And I wish you the best. [00:14:17.300] Thank you my sister, [speaking in Arabic]. Peace. [00:14:21.760] As you can gather, Yusuf is one beautiful human being, [00:14:26.320] a great artist, and a great man. [00:14:28.880] A man that has shared his talents with many young artists in this community, [00:14:33.520] who has helped create and develop art in the Durham community. [00:14:38.560] And now a word from Durham Technical Institute. [00:14:45.360] Because of Linda Wilson people can breathe easier. [00:14:48.480] Linda is a respiratory therapy student at Durham Technical Institute. [00:14:53.000] Linda's education at Durham Tech will [00:14:54.840] enable her to work with hospital patients with breathing deficiencies. [00:14:59.040] Linda will graduate next September [00:15:00.840] and already has a job with Duke University Medical Center. [00:15:04.440] If you want to help people breathe easier [00:15:06.760] call Durham Tech. [00:15:07.686] Ask about respiratory therapy. [00:15:09.960] The number is 596-9311. [00:15:15.080] The Durham Arts Council [00:15:17.000] currently has several exhibitions hanging in its galleries. [00:15:20.920] In fact, all four galleries are full. [00:15:23.880] There is an exhibition by Robert Nelson and the Triangle Weavers Guild [00:15:28.920] that is being sponsored by [00:15:30.257] the Durham Arts Council's Durham Art Guild. [00:15:33.480] We invite you to come by the Durham Arts Council [00:15:36.320] and take a look at these exhibitions. [00:15:39.200] We would now like to share some small footage [00:15:42.200] of these hangings with you. [00:15:44.157] [music] [00:22:27.960] The Photographic Art Society, an affiliate of the Durham Arts Council, [00:22:31.760] also has an exhibition hanging at the present time. [00:22:35.080] I extend an invitation to you [00:22:37.600] to come to the galleries of the Durham Arts Council. [00:22:39.560] We are located at 120 Murray Street in the former city hall building. [00:22:43.800] Our galleries are open from nine to five [00:22:46.040] Monday through Friday and two to five on Sunday. [00:22:49.520] Come down and see these great works of art. [00:22:52.920] The Durham Arts Council has an [?] in its program [00:22:56.314] entitled Community Service Program. [00:22:58.760] It deals with the neighborhoods in our city. [00:23:01.240] I have in the studio with me Lyn Roberts, [00:23:03.920] the coordinator of the Durham Arts Council's [00:23:06.571] Community Services Program. [00:23:08.440] This program is now [00:23:10.543] going through its Neighborhood Taproots summer projects. [00:23:14.000] And Lyn will be talking with us [00:23:16.000] about what's happening in our area communities. [00:23:18.680] Lyn, welcome to the Arts in Durham. [00:23:21.337] Thank you, Cynthia. [00:23:22.440] - [Cynthia] I would first like to know what Taproots [00:23:25.040] definition is and the objectives of Taproots. [00:23:28.286] Taproots is a community outreach program [00:23:30.920] that is designed to offer a variety of [00:23:34.520] creative experiences to neighborhoods [00:23:38.000] that generally have not had access [00:23:40.471] to such programs in the past. [00:23:42.800] The neighborhoods [00:23:43.743] that we currently serve are those [00:23:45.840] that are generally beyond [00:23:47.814] the reach of our downtown location. [00:23:50.920] We have been [00:23:53.100] offering this program for two years with a great deal of success. [00:23:56.560] Our intentions and objectives have been to have [00:24:01.214] valid creative experiences going [00:24:04.000] on in these areas, to have people come together to [00:24:08.280] have self-esteem, [00:24:11.600] promoting experiences and to have [00:24:14.371] community spirit promoting experiences. [00:24:16.680] And I think we had a great deal of success [00:24:18.957] in both areas with the Taproots Program. [00:24:21.360] - [Cynthia] So in other words, Neighborhood Taproots [00:24:23.680] motivates the artists in the neighborhood. [00:24:26.629] - [Lyn] Motivates all of the residents in the neighborhood, because [00:24:29.520] we feel that everyone is an artist. [00:24:31.680] Everyone has a self-expression that will [00:24:34.960] be gratifying to the person and valid as a process and a product. [00:24:40.880] - [Cynthia] I know that you're currently involved in five centers in Durham. [00:24:44.800] What centers are you working in the summer? [00:24:47.520] - [Lyn] Our program includes: [00:24:49.243] the WD Hill Center and the area there around it; [00:24:53.920] McDogald Terrace and the surrounding area; [00:24:57.243] the [?] Gardens Edgemont Center; [00:25:00.560] the Carwood, Bluefield, Braggtown, Oxford Manor area, [00:25:04.571] most of the activities being centered in the Carwood Center; [00:25:07.880] and the Weaver Street, Cornwallis Road area. [00:25:11.920] - [Cynthia] I know that you're also involved in [00:25:14.480] two murals that [00:25:16.029] you're looking for area residents at the present time to come out [00:25:18.943] and help design. [00:25:20.160] Where are those murals located? [00:25:23.760] One of the murals will be in the Braggtown area. [00:25:26.800] It's going to be painted on the wall [00:25:29.080] of Currents Cafeteria at 3002 Roxboro Road [00:25:33.586] with the confirmation of Mr. and Mrs. Current, [00:25:36.480] the owners of the cafeteria. [00:25:38.480] It's actually painted on [00:25:40.640] the wall of the barbershop that's directly adjacent to the cafeteria. [00:25:46.280] The other location is on the wall of the [00:25:49.120] Lincoln Community Health Center on Fayetteville Street. [00:25:52.920] Again, we're very grateful to [00:25:54.814] Carolyn Thornton and the other people [00:25:56.640] at the Lincoln Community Center [00:25:58.557] for inviting us to put the mural on the wall. [00:26:00.400] I think it will be [00:26:01.920] a real addition and something that we're going to enjoy very much. [00:26:06.320] - [Cynthia] You have two local artists [00:26:07.886] who are heading this project on the murals and [00:26:10.040] I would like for you to tell us something about them. [00:26:12.400] I think we're very fortunate to have two such [00:26:15.200] really fine committed individuals working on these mural projects. [00:26:20.040] Carlyle Johnson is Assistant Professor of Art [00:26:22.971] at North Carolina Central University. [00:26:24.600] He's had a lot of experience doing mural [00:26:26.960] projects and obviously working with people in his capacity as a teacher. [00:26:31.400] Ronald Bryant is a serious artist, is [00:26:36.000] something that I think is a definite [00:26:38.143] true statement about Ronald Bryant. [00:26:39.680] He came into the Arts Council several months ago [00:26:42.840] with some of his work that I personally found to be superlative. [00:26:47.400] Many of the people who had [00:26:49.029] an opportunity to see his work at that time at the Arts Council [00:26:51.080] also commented that he is indeed a very, very fine artist. [00:26:54.400] And at that time he expressed a willingness to get involved [00:26:57.120] in our community arts program [00:26:59.500] and his interest in doing this sort of thing. [00:27:03.800] I've been very pleased with how well [00:27:06.680] Carlyle and Ronald have communicated [00:27:08.986] with one another and with the community. [00:27:11.160] I think they're going to solicit the input [00:27:14.143] and participation of community residents [00:27:16.400] and make this a significant public artwork. [00:27:19.040] I'm very much looking [00:27:20.843] forward to seeing these two murals completed as [00:27:24.160] an expression of the community by the community [00:27:27.520] very expertly directed by two very fine artistic directors. [00:27:32.360] - [Cynthia] I know that you are currently soliciting [00:27:36.620] help from the Durham community. [00:27:36.800] I would like for you to tell us [00:27:38.840] what times Carlyle and Ronald are working at the murals [00:27:42.680] and if this is not an opportune time [00:27:45.120] for someone to come out and they want to participate, [00:27:47.727] what number they should [00:27:48.840] call to find out more information on the murals. [00:27:51.320] - [Lyn] Carlyle and Ronald [00:27:54.800] will certainly be at the mural sites from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. daily. [00:27:59.480] Now, I'm certain they will be working other hours as well. [00:28:02.120] We've decided to say 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. [00:28:04.471] so that if someone wants to come unannounced [00:28:06.800] and participate [00:28:08.240] then certainly they may do so during those two hours daily. [00:28:11.040] Very probably work will be going on at the murals [00:28:14.271] during other hours. [00:28:15.520] And for more information I'd welcome any calls [00:28:21.760] at the Durham Arts Council, 682-5519. [00:28:22.520] My name again is Lyn Roberts. [00:28:25.440] I think that the [00:28:27.086] mural projects are going to be very exciting. [00:28:29.040] There are basic designs that have been [00:28:30.680] conceived by the artistic directors, but [00:28:33.500] there will be a great deal of room [00:28:35.240] for input from the people who come to participate. [00:28:39.720] I highly recommend it. [00:28:40.760] I've participated in many murals myself, [00:28:43.429] both as a community artist and as an artistic director [00:28:47.400] and it is extremely exciting, gratifying thing to do. [00:28:51.680] - [Cynthia] I want to talk about [00:28:53.229] the centers and what's going on in those centers. [00:28:57.080] - [Lyn] Well, we have a really varied program this summer. [00:29:00.760] We're trying to explore a lot of new [00:29:03.200] directions to know [00:29:04.986] what it's going to be most valuable to offer the community [00:29:07.280] and our subsequent programing. [00:29:09.257] In the McDougald Terrace Center [00:29:11.640] Tom Shuey, who's [00:29:13.543] been with the program now for almost two years, [00:29:15.920] is teaching batik. [00:29:18.200] Doing a large joint effort batik wall hanging for the Center. [00:29:22.280] He's also doing some soft sculpture, working with puppetry [00:29:25.543] with the children. [00:29:26.880] We tend to have younger people participating in this program, [00:29:30.400] but everyone is invited [00:29:33.071] and it's Tuesdays and Thursdays from ten till four. [00:29:37.320] - [Cynthia] What about [?] Gardens? [00:29:39.400] You're offering classes in macramé [00:29:41.280] and puppet making at [?] Gardens, am I correct? [00:29:44.720] - [Lyn] And soft sculpture. [00:29:44.720] And the instructor there is Shirley McConaghy, who has [00:29:47.400] had a show very recently at Duke and [00:29:51.080] who has really put a lot of energy and enthusiasm [00:29:53.329] into her work in the neighborhoods. [00:29:55.160] - [Cynthia] I want to thank you Lyn for joining me. [00:29:57.080] And I want to also remind you the Durham Arts Council's [00:29:59.757] Neighborhood Tap Program [00:30:01.480] is also holding a registration for community artists. [00:30:04.880] It's called the Community Register. [00:30:06.800] And if you're a musician, [00:30:08.160] a member of the performing arts, or visual arts, [00:30:11.000] contact George Reed at the Durham Arts Council at 682-5519. [00:30:16.160] And I invite you to join me to paint [00:30:19.080] a mural, get involved in your community, [00:30:21.829] join the Neighborhood Taps Program. [00:30:24.080] I want to thank you for watching and I hope you have a good night. [00:30:27.360] Join me next week. [00:30:28.643] [jazz music] [00:31:02.440] The preceding program has been produced [00:31:04.360] by Community Video Services of Durham Technical Institute.