Download full schedule.

Thursday, February 18th – COMMUNITY NIGHT

6:00pm – Reception
6:30pm – Human Relations Department Awards
7:15pm – Featured Film - Providence Effect

The Providence Effect is the story of an individual man, the inner city Chicago school he founded, and the student lives the school has changed and saved. The school, Providence St. Mel, has a 30-year 100% college placement record; with an “old school” approach to learning — “Do the work.” — and a dedicated corps of teachers and administrators, Providence St. Mel can serve as a model for revamping all of American education.

COST: Free

Co-Sponsored by Durham Human Relations Department and Chapel Hill/Carrboro Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.

Friday, February 19th – OPENING NIGHT

7:15pm – Featured Film – Mississippi Damned

Filmed in North Carolina and winner of multiple film festival awards. Wanting to escape was the easy part. Taking place in 1986 and 1998 and based on a true story, three poor, Black kids in rural Mississippi reap the consequences of their family’s cycle of abuse, addiction, and violence. They independently struggle to escape their circumstances and must decide whether to confront what’s plagued their family for generations or succumb to the same crippling fate, forever damned in Mississippi.

Filmmaker Tina Mabry and Producer Morgan Stiff will be in attendance. (Inappropriate for children under 15).

10:00pm-2:00am – Party at the Cotton Room

Join filmmakers in celebrating at The Cotton Room in Golden Belt 807 East Main Street featuring live Jazz
music by Kim Pacheco followed by Joey the DJ.

COST $15.00 includes opening night screening and reception. Festival Passes are $50.00 for the entire weekend (savings of $35 off individual block tickets). [Purchase Tickets]

Saturday, February 20th – FULL DAY OF SCREENINGS

9:00am – Registration opens/Pick up Passes/Tickets

Festival Passes are $50.00 for the entire weekend (savings of $35 off individual block tickets).
Each Film Block is $8.00.

Block 2 – 9:30am

Feature Film Screening
Obama in North Carolina: The Path to History documentary by
Cash Michaels
Location: Theatre
Cost: $8 per person [Purchase Tickets]

This documentary film explores the unforgettable people and events of 2008, capturing the historic path carved in North Carolina that made the election of the President possible. Stories from post-Reconstruction and black disenfranchisement of early 1900s through the tumultuous 1960s civil rights movement and beyond frame this historic achievement.

Short Films Screening
Free Meal dramatic short by Eva Castine 4 min
Hug dramedy by Khary Jones 16 min
Wedding Day dramatic short by Dilsey Davis 15 min
Corporate Politics dramatic short by Ablavi Gbenyon 16 min
Brother’s Incorporated dramatic short by Michael Johnson (Encore presentation winner best student film HHFF, 2009) 23 min

Block 3 – 11:00am

Cost: $8 per person  [Purchase Tickets]

Feature Screening
Tribute to Haiti – The Agronomist
Directed by Jonathan Demme
A profile of Haitian radio journalist and human rights activist, Jean Dominique. It includes: historical footage of Haiti’s vivid and tumultuous past; interviews with Dominique, himself and with Michele Montas—his heroic wife, life-long love, and extraordinary partner; and incorporates footage shot before Dominique’s assassination on April 3, 2000.
Co-sponsored by the Duke African and African-American Studies Working Group
Location: Theatre

Short Films Screening
Wake a dramedy by Bree Newsome (NC Filmmaker) 21 min
Lost Colony a short form documentary by Carolyn Stephenson (NC filmmaker) 15 min
The Jewelry Box a drama by Rayana Thomas (NC filmmaker) 25 min
Sparkling Wrath a drama by Abosede Copeland (NC filmmaker) 14 min
Location: Dance Studio

Panel Discussion
1:00pm – 2:25pm – Behind the Scenes – From A to Z – The Anatomy of Making a Film

Directors and producers will talk about the process of moving from an initial idea to the actual creation of a feature film. They will discuss challenges and rewards of making a film, including pitching, fundraising, hiring talent, festival screenings, and distribution. Panelist include Tina Marbrey and Morgan Stiff (Mississippi Damned), Hannah Sink and Michelle McGrier (the upcoming “Kaffir Boy”) and Gary Hooker (Sister’s Keeper).
Free with any block ticket purchase or festival pass.
Location: Theatre

Block 4 – 2:30pm

Cost: $8 per person [Purchase Tickets]

Feature Film Screening
American Violet– Narrative
This fact-based drama about an innocent Texas mother caught up in a high-profile drug raid, and unjustly accused due to the uncorroborated testimony of a single informant. Dee Roberts (Nicole Beharie) is a young single mother of four living in a small Texas town. Arrested during a drug raid and accused of a crime she didn’t commit, Dee goes against the wishes of her mother, Alma (Alfre Woodard), and rejects the plea-bargain that would free her from jail, but brand her as a felon for life. As word begins to spread that similar incidents are occurring in poor communities all across the country, Dee realizes that there are more mothers out there like her, and decides to take a stand against powerful district attorney Calvin Beckett (Michael O’Keefe).
Location: Theatre

Short Films Screening
Amazon Woman dramatic short by Kiara C. Jones 14 min (inappr. for children under 15)
Cuts dramatic short by Rashaad Ernesto Green 16 min.
Malicious Intent work-in-progress by Karim Shyllon 25 min.
Lady in My Life dramatic short by Malik Aziz 6 min.
The Hands dramatic short by Charise M. Studesville 11 min.
Location: Dance Studio

Panel Discussion
4:15-5:20pm – Working as an Actor in Today’s Market
The internet is not only changing the way distribution and marketing work in the film business, it is also changing how actors are hired to work in film and television. Panelist will discuss the current trends in casting and getting the job. Casting Director, Tracy Kilpatrick Actor, Vaughn Wilson (One Tree Hill) and Rasool J’han are invited to participate.
Cost: Free with any block ticket purchase or festival pass. [Purchase Tickets]

Block 5- 5:30pm
Cost: $8 per person [Purchase Tickets]

Feature Screening
Tribute to Haiti – The Other Side of Water: The Journey of a Haitian Rara Band in Brooklyn
Co-sponsored by the Duke African and African American Studies Working Group
Location: Theatre

Short and Feature Film Screening
5:30pm
Hug a dramedy short by Khary Jones 16 min.
Don’t Blame the Lettuce – Dramatic Feature a work-in-progress Don’t Blame the Lettuce is the first feature by North Carolina Filmmaker David Jones. A relationship drama and love story about the finding and losing
of one’s way in love and relationships. The film reflects the contradictions, insecurities, and loneliness in life and in love.
Filmmaker David Jones will be in attendance.
Location: Dance Studio

Block 6 – 7:30pm

Cost: $8 per person[Purchase Tickets]

Feature Film Screening
Sister’s Keeper – Suspense Drama by Kent Faulcon
Jacob Tate (Kent Faulcon), a tormented hired assassin with a sudden case of conscience, is dispatched to kill a small town, school teacher, Diane Mulberry (Denise Boutte). Conflicted about his assignment and ready to walk from the profession, he reluctantly goes to complete this final job when things go unexpected and Diane mistakes him for her long lost brother.
Executive Producers Lisa Hooker and Gary Hooker will be in attendance.
Location: Theatre

Short Film Screenings
Amazon Woman dramatic short by Kiara C. Jones 14 min (inappr. for children under 15)
Cuts dramatic short by Rashaad Ernesto Green 16 min
Malicious Intent a work-in-progress by Karim Shyllon 25 min
Lady in My Life dramatic short by Malik Aziz 6 min
The Hands dramatic short by Charise M. Studesville 11 min

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Block 7 – 1:00pm

Cost: $8 per person [Purchase Tickets]

Feature Film Screening
Bass Reeves – Narrative based on a true story
Bass Reeves was one of the first Black Federal Deputy Marshalls. He arrested more than 3,000 outlaws in his career as Deputy Marshal. A former slave, Bass fled to Indian Territory during the Civil War where he learned over 12 languages and studied land until he knew the territory “like a cook knows her kitchen”.
Location: Theatre

Short Film Screenings
Wake dramedy by Bree Newsome (NC filmmaker) 21 min
Lost Colony short form documentary by Carolyn Stephenson (NC filmmaker) 15 min
The Last One Standing drama by Roderick Shepard (NC filmmaker) 10min
The Jewelry Box drama by Rayana Thomas (NC filmmaker) 25 min

Block 8 – 3:00pm

Feature Film Screening
Sisters in Cinema – Documentary by Yvonne Welbon
Sisters in Cinema is a seminal work that pays homage to African American women, who against all odds made history. The careers, lives and films of inspirational women filmmakers, such as, Euzhan Palcy, Julie Dash, Darnell Martin, Dianne Houston, Neema Barnette, Cheryl Dunye, Kasi Lemmons and Maya Angelou are showcased within the film. Interviews are interwoven with film clips, rare archival footage and photographs and production video of filmmaker at work.
Cost: $8 per person [Purchase Tickets]
Location: Theatre

Guest Speaker
4:30pm – Yvonne Welbon
Yvonne Welbon is an award-winning independent filmmaker and freelance producer. Since 1991, she has made eight films and produced a dozen others. Her independent films have screened on PBS, Starz/Encore, TVONE,
IFC, Bravo, the Sundance Channel and in over one hundred film festivals around the world. Ms. Welbon is currently the Department Chair and Professor of the Journalism and Media Department at Bennett College in Greensboro.
Cost: Free with any block ticket purchase or festival pass
Location: Theatre

Awards Ceremony
5:30pm
Location: Theatre

Filmmaker Eligibility:

The Hayti Heritage Film Festival is currently accepting applications and submissions for films and videos, both short and long form. Films can be of any genre including drama, comedy, horror, adventure, animation, romance, experimental and science fiction. These works must be made by and/or about people of African descent and includes domestic and international films. (African Descent is inclusive of all people who are or whose ancestors are from Africa (i.e. African America, Latino, African, Caribbean, etc). Films can be turned in separately from the film application if they are works in progress, however all materials must be received by January 16, 2010. Please include a 50 work synopsis, photo stills, and biographies. Notification of acceptance will be determined within 7 days of the completed film submission (application and film). Films must have been completed and copyrighted no earlier than 2008.

The winner of the competition will have their film screened as part of the closing awards ceremony at the festival and will receive a cash award and may also have the opportunity to have their film showcased both regionally and nationally. Applications and Films must be received by February 1st, 2010.

Download Application

Invitation to Students

Competition:
All films submitted and accepted to the festival are eligible for the competition categories. Films requested for special screenings are not eligible for competition. The competition categories are as follows: Best Long Form (narrative/documentary), Best Short Film (narrative/documentary), Best Acting Ensemble, Audience Choice Award, Best Student Film – General Submission, and Best Student Film – Financial Film Challenge. With the exception of the Audience Choice Award, all films will be judged by an independent jury panel.

General Filmmaker Guideline Checklist

Submission Procedure:

• The preferred format for submission is DVD, however Digi-Beta Video, Beta SP will also be accepted.
• There are two opportunity to submit your film. Early-bird submission, December 16, 2009 – fee $25 or final deadline January 16, 2010- fee $35 filmmaker fee submission/application fee for the 2010 Hayti Heritage Film Festival. This fee is waived for students. Please make checks/ or money order payable to St. Joseph Historic Foundation. You may also pay on line through Paypal.
• Films for the competition must have been completed after January 1st, 2008.
• Long Form Submission – Films 45 minutes and longer.
• Short Film Submission – Films 44 minutes or less.
• For General Film Submission, the films/videos must be made by and/or about people of African descent. The filmmaker does not have to be of African descent if the subject matter is about people of African descent. Also, if the filmmaker is of African descent, the subject matter can be inclusive of all subjects, topics, or audiences.
• The 3 out of 6 rule applies to student film categories only. Three of the following six key roles in the project must be of African descent: Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Director of Photography, Lead Actor, Lead Actress.
• Filmmaker accepted into the Festival will receive two festival passes which includes access to all films, panels, access to the filmmaker lounge, opening and closing receptions, and awards ceremonies.
• Please send a stamped self-addressed postcard with your application if you would like to receive notification that we received your entry and film.
• Please include a stamped self-address envelope with your application if you would like to have your film returned.

All Films and Applications must be submitted to Hayti Heritage Film Festival, 804 Old Fayetteville Road, Durham, NC 27702
www.haytifilmfest.org
Email: haytifilmfestival@yahoo.com
Fax: (919) 667-1558 or (919) 682-5869 (Hayti)

22nd ANNUAL BULL DURHAM BLUES FESTIVAL
September 11 & 12, 2009

St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation is celebrating twenty two years of presenting the best in acoustic, traditional and contemporary blues music, this year’s festival will be a mix of rhythm and blues legends, show-masters, regional and local blues artists that will surely provide festival attendees two days of the best the blues world has to offer.

At the Festival there is something for the entirefamily, a Kids Zone with interactive entertainment for youngsters; and a Marketplace where blues lovers can indulge in an eclectic mix of regional and international foods for the soul, arts and crafts by NC artists, and a variety of unique specialty items. The music is sure to make you move, but if you feel a need, lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. Join in the fun on the infield or in the grandstand, rain or shine!!

We will be back at the Durham Athletic Park (DAP) and hope to see you there. More information will be available in May on our website or www.bulldurhamblues.org. You will learn more about the new festival format including time and location, volunteer and vendor opportunities, and how you or your business can take advantage of the new sponsorship perks!

Vendor and Volunteer applications available May 4th at www.bulldurhamblues.org

Keeping the Blues Alive!!

To download the the press release, click here.

To download schedule, click here.

To download the Hayti Heritage Film Festival application, click here.

To download the Hayti Filmmaker application, click here.

Buy Tickets:

15th Annual Hayti Heritage Film Festival
February 20, 7 pm, Hayti Heritage Center:
Purchase Tickets

15th Annual Hayti Heritage Film Festival – FESTIVAL PASS
February 20, 7 pm, Hayti Heritage Center:
Purchase Tickets

15th Annual Hayti Heritage Film Festival
February 21, 10 am – 10 pm, Hayti Heritage Center:
Purchase Tickets

Film Festival Industry Party
February 21, 10 pm – 2 pm, Golden Belt, Building #2, Floor 3 – 807 E. Main Street, Durham:
Purchase Tickets

15th Annual Hayti Heritage Film Festival
February 22, 1 pm – 6 pm, Hayti Heritage Center:
Purchase Tickets

September 18-20, 2008

Durham, NC- The St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc. presenters of the 21^st annual Bull Durham Blues Festival, embarks on a new date, new location and new decade of the blues, September 18-20 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, located at 409 Blackwell Street in downtown Durham. Celebrating twenty one years of presenting the best in acoustic, traditional and contemporary blues music, this year’s line up is a mix of blues legends, show-masters, second generation blues artists and regional artists that will surely provide festival attendees three evenings of the best the blues world has to offer.

Thursday night, September 18 at 7:00 PM the festival opens in the historic St. Joseph’s Performance Hall at the Hayti Heritage Center. Actin’ Up: Juke Joint & Holy Blues featuring Scott Ainslie and Ernie Hawkins. In Actin’ Up, Scott Ainslie and Ernie Hawkins bring Delta and Ragtime Blues to the stage in a spirited tour of hot ragtime instrumentals, passionate singing, and slide guitar, stories, and songs. Lifelong students of Ragtime-Piedmont Blues and Mississippi Delta Blues, Ainslie and Hawkins bring more than seven decades of experience with them to the stage. Their long apprenticeships with known and unknown traditional players from all around the country have lined their pockets with music, personal anecdotes, and history – riches that we hear jingle as they tap their feet. Both Ainslie and Hawkins will conduct Blues in the Schools residency activities throughout the week at various public and private schools and community centers.

Performing on the same night will be M.S.G.-The Acoustic Blues Trio from Hampton, Virginia. M.S.G. perform traditional Piedmont blues. Their style of music has been influenced by the likes of Archie Edwards, Etta Baker, and Cephas & Wiggins. This band can raise the roof with some old-fashioned house party tunes, make you laugh with their witty originals and then make you weep with blues ballads! The trio will be performing the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation Band. They have performed at numerous regional festivals including: Blues in the ‘Burg, Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Artscape, and Bayou Boogaloo. They’ve also had the honor of performing on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. The group consists of Jackie Merritt - harmonica player, Miles Spicer – guitarist, and Resa Gibbs - lead vocalist and percussionist, known for her warm, soulful and heartfelt sound. M.S.G. will conduct Blues in the Schools residency activities during the festival week.

On Friday and Saturday, September 19 & 20, the BDBF moves to the new Durham Bulls Athletic Park, 409 Blackwell Street, home of the Durham Bulls Baseball Club. Gates open at 5pm and the show starts at 6pm – 11pm. Friday night’s concert features singer/pianist Blues Music Award winner Marcia Ball. Ball knows how to raise roofs and tear down walls with her infectious, intelligent and deeply emotional brand of southern boogie, rollicking, roadhouse blues and heartfelt ballads. Singer Clarence Carter exemplifies the gritty, earthy sounds of Muscle Shoals R&B, fusing the devastating poignancy of blues with a wicked, lascivious wit to create deeply soulful music rooted in the American South of the past and present. Accordionist, singer and songwriter Rosie Ledet provides a unique female presence in the male-dominated zydeco world. She sings both Creole French and in English. Her songs are often shy and lusty and combined with her national good looks and distinctive, bluesy singing voice, she wows audiences wherever she goes. Finally the Triangle Blues Society Blues Challenge winner for 2007, 2008 Beale Street Blues Kings Award and 2008 Charlotte Music Award Winner for Best Blues Band, Contagious Blues Band from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Saturday night the BDBF brings to the stage the legendary musician Taj Mahal who has been playing his own distinctive brand of music- variously described as Afro-Caribbean blues, folk-world-blues, hula blues, folk-funk, and a host of other hyphenations for more than 40 years. A self taught musician, Taj Mahal plays more than 20 instruments, including the National Steel and Dobro guitars. His remarkable voice ranges from gruff and gravelly to smooth and sultry. Denise LaSalle is a seriously talented songwriter. Her soul blues style has strong urban contemporary overtones at times. It is best to think of LaSalle as a modern-day Bessie Smith. Bernard Allison totes the same sookin’ six string shooter that his late father, Luther Allison assaulted the blues with. He is blessed with his father’s soulful voice, spiritual devotion, and a musical freedom which experiments with the blues. As a true “son of the blues” Allison possesses the requisite guitar feel and vocal intonations necessary to push his blurs into the next century. He knows the energy level necessary to hold audiences and combines enough showmanship and spontaneity to push the performance in fresh, innovative directions each night. Finally, the Piedmont Preservation Blues Society Blues Challenge Award winner for 2007, The Big Road Blues Band, a stripped-down three-piece band from Ashville, NC featuring Duane Simpson on Guitar, Peggy Ratusz on Vocals and Percussion, Jill Fromewick on Harmonica or Joshua Singleton on Harmonica and vocals.

At the Festival there is something for the entire family, a Kids Zone with interactive entertainment for youngsters; and a Marketplace where blues lovers can indulge in an eclectic mix of regional and international foods for the soul, arts and crafts by NC artists, and a variety of unique specialty items. The music is sure to make you move, but if you feel a need, lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. Join in the fun on the infield or in the grandstand, rain or shine!! Gates open at 5 PM and show ends at 11PM.

The annual festival pre-sale is scheduled for June 23-27. Tickets will be (2) for $50 for this one week only special, limited number of tickets available. Advance tickets on sale July 1. Tickets per night are $35 advance; $45 after 9/17/08. A three day package will be on sale for $85 each through 9/17/08. Children 12 and under admitted free with a ticketed adult-except on 9/18. Visa/MasterCard/Amex/cash accepted. Tickets can be purchased on line at www.hayti.org or www.bulldurhamblues.org, or drop by the Hayti Heritage Center at 804 Old Fayetteville Street, Durham, NC. Or call (919) 683-1709 ext. 21.

Vendor application forms are available now, call 919-683-1709 ext. 21 or download the application from the website at www.hayti.org.

Volunteer forms will be available June 1^st, call 919-683-1709 ext. 33 or download the application from the website at www.hayti.org.

For sponsorship information contact Janella Sellars, Development Director at 919-683-1709 ext 28 or jsellars@hayti.org

This annual festival, produced by St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc., has been successfully presented since 1988. It is nationally recognized as one of the premier Blues festivals in the country and was honored in 2000 with the “Keeping the Blues Alive Award” by The Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN. This three-day event has become North Carolina’s largest celebration of the Blues, recognizing Durham’s rich musical heritage as an important center of Carolina and Piedmont Blues. The festival has attracted as many as 20,000 Blues lovers and has over a 3 million dollar economic impact on the Durham economy annually.

The St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc. (SJHF) founded in 1975, is an African American cultural and educational institution deeply rooted in the historic Hayti community of Durham, North Carolina. SJHF is dedicated to advancing cultural understanding through diverse programs that examine the experiences of Americans of African descent – locally, nationally and globally. The Foundation is committed to preserving, restoring and developing the Hayti Heritage Center, the former St. Joseph’s AME Church, a National Historic Landmark, as a cultural and economic anchor to the greater Durham community. Funds raised from the event support the programs and operations of the Foundation and Hayti Heritage Center.

For more information call (919) 683-1709 or info@hayti.org.