Jimmy Turns Ninety !!!August 2, 2015 was James Baldwin’s 90th Birthday. Our Celebration: A Nationwide Series of Community Forums,
"Conversations with Jimmy" ... NEWS ... EPK
- Outreach & Engagement -
- A nationwide Outreach & Engagement initiative: public forums … with our film as catalyst.
An ongoing series of community collaborations, “Conversations with Jimmy” uses the award-winning film classic JAMES BALDWIN: THE PRICE OF THE TICKET – recently re-mastered to Digital WideScreen HD – to spark town-wide discussions on diversity, discrimination and the meaning of brotherhood … in the context of current events.
Launched in the fall of 2014, this series of film screenings and public forums premiered at The National Gallery of Art in DC and The New School in NYC. In 2015, with funding from two state Humanities Councils, CWJ expanded into a regional pilot project: first in Massachusetts, where James Baldwin spent his later years as a Five-College Professor, and then in Connecticut, the Baldwin Project’s home base. Events are now being booked nationwide.
From Boys & Girls Clubs in Omaha to public high schools in Bridgeport & Hartford, from New York University to the University of California Merced, from Quinebaug Valley Community College to Southern Oregon University, from Stanford to Yale, we’ve already brought free “Conversations with Jimmy” to thousands of students.
We’ve also brought Baldwin to African American festivals, NAACP conventions, Juneteenth celebrations, professional development workshops, senior citizen study groups (for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute), government programs, scholar symposia and radio talk shows. We've even brought Baldwin to inmates at San Quentin prison, in collaboration with California’s Prison University Project.
All of these events have been transformative, each in their own way – and all of them have involved inspiring collaborations.
Coming Soon: A series of Baldwin Film Screenings + Talkbacks in collaboration with the National Park Service, designed to bring our nation’s Historic Sites & Parks into their 'Second Century’ by engaging local communities, students and people of color.
The Mission: To engage diverse communities, inspire dialogue across differences, encourage citizen-activists ... and to ensure that Baldwin's message – a clarion call for equality that is still incredibly, painfully relevant – will be heard and debated by those who need it most.
An Exhibition of Paintings, Drawings and Archival Materials Examining the 38-year Relationship Between Painter Beauford Delaney and Writer James Baldwin
Portrait of James Baldwin, 1941
Knoxville Museum of Art
Hosted by the prestigious James Baldwin Review, this roundtable addresses James Baldwin and film, broadly conceived. Panelists discuss Baldwin’s lifelong fascination with film, screen adaptations of his writings, plus descriptions of his life and and legacies in cinema.
Panelists:
Rich Blint,
New SchoolRobert A. Jackson,
U of Tulsa
D. Quentin Miller,
Suffolk UKaren Thorsen,
James Baldwin Project
The Portland Art Museum is honored to present the first major retrospective of this important artist’s work Oct. 12, 2019 - Jan. 12, 2020
This screening is the first of eight in a film series
curated by Mr. Thomas.
“These films impacted my life and whole understanding of the power of art to shape our notions of the truth and therefore reality.” ~ Hank Willis Thomas
NW FILM CENTER ~ Whitsell Auditorium 1219 SW Park Avenue Portland, Oregon 97205 Info: 503-221-1156
Featuring the Complete Raw Footage from James Baldwin’s Funeral at Cathedral of St. John the Divine as shot by Greg Andrake and Bill Dill for “James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket”
Discussion with Director Karen Thorsen & Hilton Als
James Baldwin, Harlem, New York c.1945 by Richard Avedon
In conjunction with the Metrograph cinema screening of James Baldwin’s Funeral at Cathedral of St. John the Divine
(See Feb 2nd Event Above)
This exhibit features continuous playback of James Baldwin's performance of "O Precious Lord," an a capella vocal recorded by David Linx, with piano accompaniment by Charles Darden, produced & recorded for James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket
Ryan Murphy James Baldwin ACLU Sybrina Fulton & Tracy Martin Parents of Trayvon Martin
30 Years Ago, Our Film Celebrating Baldwin’s Life
Opened with his Memorial Service at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Now, he is being honored there once again ...
Appearances by Ricky Martin Bebe Rexha The Cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race and more
The Show Features A Short Tribute from
“James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket”
~ Film Screening & Public Discussion - Free and Open to the Public ~ Selected Readings from Baldwin, May Ayim and Audre Lorde ~ by Modupe Laja ~ Roundtable Discussions on Anti-Racism Activism ... w/ Baldwin Film Clips
Interdepartmental Co-Hosts:
Philologisch-Historische Fakultät
Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin &
Neue Englische Literaturen und Kulturwissenschaft
Prof. Dr. Annika McPherson ~ New English Literatures and Cultural Studies
MA Sarah Alam
Mathilde Légitimus-Schleicher ~ Collectif James Baldwin - Munich Modupe Laja ~ ADEFRA Black Women in Germany
Filmmakers Karen Thorsen & Douglas K. Dempsey
Toronto International Film Festival Cinematheque Special Screening
"Long regarded as the definitive film biography of its subject, Karen Thorsen's newly restored documentary is a remarkable autoportrait, a social critique and a passionate plea for human equality." -- TIFF Cinematheque Program Notes
Hartford, CT Sunday, January 29 - 2:00pm Hartbeat Ensemble Presents
The Hartbeat Ensemble Theatre Company in Hartford CT Presents "Jimmy & Lorraine" - A Play by Talvin Wilks About the Friendship Between James Baldwin and Lorraine Hansberry
Followed by a Discussion, Moderated by Frank Mitchell (Director of the Amistad Center for Arts & Culture) & Karen Thorsen (Director, James Baldwin Project)
A Prestigious, Semester-Long Undergraduate Honors English Course At the University of Connecticut
Excerpt from the Course Description: "Studying the life and work of James Baldwin, one of the most important American writers of the twentieth century ... Baldwin was a novelist and playwright, literary and cultural critic, and one of the greatest essayists of all time."
Presented by Professor Shawn Salvant
The Filmmakers Will Lead Three Classes: We will use our film clips and topical questions, to spark student discussions on Baldwin.
Film Screening & Discussion / Talkback **Free and Open to the Public.
Featuring Dr. Michael J. Marotto, Ph.D Lecturer, University of Connecticut Michael Hyman Executive Director, Domus & Past President, NAACP Trevor Baldwin Writer, Producer James Baldwin's Nephew
Co-Sponsored by Amistad Center for Art & Culture Domus-Chester Addison Community Center
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
Featuring Baldwin's Niece & Nephew Aisha Karefa-Smart and Trevor Baldwin with Karen Thorsen, Filmmaker
For Details, See Eventbrite Announcement ~ NOTE: SOLD OUT! Co-Sponsored by Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture Maysles Cinema JamesBaldwinProject.Org
The Langston Hughes Auditorium @ Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture 515 Malcolm X Blvd New York, NY 10037
Restoration Made Possible By Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Cinema, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
A Comprehensive Weeklong Series of Classes,
Workshops, Screenings and Discussions!
**Multiple Events, February 5 thru 23
Bridgeport City Hall ~ Feb 5, 9am - Noon Harding High School ~ Feb 17, 9am - 11am Fairchild Wheeler School ~ Feb 18, 8am - 10am Fairchild Wheeler School ~ Feb 18, 12pm - 2pm Central High School ~ Feb 19, 9am - 11am Fairchild Wheeler School ~ Feb 19, 1pm - 3:30pm HSC Joint Districtwide ~ Feb 20, 5pm - 7pm Fairchild Wheeler School ~ Feb 22, 10am - Noon Bassick High School ~ Feb 23, 9am - 11am Fairchild Wheeler School ~ Feb 23, 12pm - 4pm
Melissa Jenkins, Director of Literacy, Bridgeport Public Schools
Dawn Cole, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Aresta L. Johnson, Executive Director of Secondary Education Beth Funari, Assistant Principle, Fairchild Wheeler School Shaun Mitchell, Teacher of English, Central High Schoo Janice F. Jones, English Language Arts Coordinator, Harding High Karen Thorsen, Filmmaker & Co-Director, James Baldwin Project
Co-Sponsored by: Bridgeport Public Schools Bridgeport Public Schools Department of Literacy
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
Hoffman Auditorium @USJ
Autorino Center for the Arts
1678 Asylum Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
Dr. Walton Brown-Foster, Moderator Professor, Department of Political Science and African American Studies Dr. Felton O. Best Director, African American Studies Program Dr. Beverly Johnson Department of English Dr. Joshua Perlstein Department of Theatre Dr. Evelyn Philips Director, Africana Center and Department of Anthropology
Karen Thorsen,
Filmmaker Co-Director, James Baldwin Project
Co-Sponsored by: CCSU Department of Political Science, Department of Theatre CCSU African American Studies Program and Africana Studies Program Arts Committee - Greater Hartford Chapter of the Links, Inc. Arts Committee-- Farmington Valley Chapter of the Links, Inc.
New Britain Chapter of the NAACP
Be There, and Bring A Friend!
Connecticut Central State University ~ Directions 1615 Stanley Street New Britain, CT 06050 Alumni Hall, Student Center
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
405 Babbidge Road, Unit 1205 Storrs, CT 06269 ~ Directions
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
~ Office of Spiritual and Religious Life ~ Political Science Department ~ Office of Multicultural Affairs ~ Center for Urban and Global Studies ~ Film Department ~ Sociology Department ~ Women & Gender Resource Action Center ~ Encouraging Respect of Sexualities ~ History Department
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
This event is presented by Amherst Together, in partnership with Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools and Amherst Human Rights Commission, and in collaboration with the W.E.B Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Five Colleges, Inc., and the Jones Library.
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
Wednesday, November 4 ... 10:30 am & 12:20 pm Wednesday, November 11 ... 12:30 pm
Thursday, November 12 ... 6:00 pm Friday, November 13 ... 10:30 am
Our screenings of "James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket" have been coordinated with student exposure to Baldwin's work. Upper School and Middle School students will attend separate "Conversations with Jimmy" sessions.
Additionally, we are hosting a special event with the "Learning in Retirement" organization.
Distinguished Panel Discussions on Wednesday, November 11 and Thursday, November 12
~ Click Buttons to See Panel Participants ~
Wed, Nov 4 - Danielson Auditorium ... Screenings
Wed, Nov 11 - Danielson Auditorium ... Panel
Thu, Nov 12 - Capital Theater, Willimantic ... Screening & Panel Fri, Nov 13 - Danielson Auditorium ... Screening
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
A screening of "James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket" For Students, Parents and Grandparents ... Followed by a "Conversation with Jimmy" talkback session.
~ Pomfret Director of Diversity, Steve Davis says:
"We are honored to have Producer / Director
Karen Thorsen visit Pomfret School for Parent / Grandparents Weekend.
We hope this event will inspire you to share some of
your life experiences and have positive conversations
between you, your children and grandchildren about
the culturally, technologically and socially changing
world they will inherit."
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
Producer/Director Bill Miles & James Baldwin, during production of "I Remember Harlem"
Restoration Made Possible By ~ Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Maysles Documentary Center, Goldcrest Post, Stan & Joanne Marder, Greg Melville & Family.
With the Support of The United States Embassy Cultural Services Hosted by Our Good Friend, Actor / Director Samuel Légitimus
Events & Screenings from July 1st thru 11th, 2015
6pm Screening Forum Follows, "Legacy of James Baldwin"
The Panel ...
Rose Styron Nikky Finney
Peniel Joseph Aisha Karefa-Smart
Kim McLarin Karen Thorsen
Thursday, June 11 ~ Attended by overflow crowd of 450+
"A spectacular evening. The feedback has been incredible. It truly was one of the most moving events I’ve witnessed at the Library." ~ Amy Macdonald, Forum Producer
Wednesday, May 6 at 1:00pm, Leslie Phillips Theater (FORUM) ~ African Drums, Current Events Slideshow, Film Screening & "Talkback" Public Forum, as part of Holyoke Community College's "Dialogues on Race" series.
Wednesday, March 4 at 1:00pm, Leslie Phillips Theater (FORUM) ~ Screening followed by discussion with Filmmakers, as part of Holyoke Community College's "Dialogues on Race" series.
Tuesday, March 3 at 5:00pm, in the C. Walsh Theatre ~ Screening followed by discussion with Filmmakers, hosted by Quentin Miller, PhD. Professor & Chair, Department of English and a Baldwin Project Scholar / Advisor.
"Conversations with Jimmy" debuted at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, Massachusetts.
Our restored film was screened in the school's "Society Café" and attended by a packed house of 75+ people -- including students, teachers, scholars and artists.
An intense discussion followed, emotional truths were shared -- about difficult lives, encounters with prejudice and ideas for tolerance, hope and change in their communities.
Represented were: African American, Indian, Honduran, Asian and Caucasian folks. We heard from high school & college students, teachers, single mothers, an ex-serviceman, a bi-racial household and more.
Professor Susan Blake had her students share their reactions later:
>> [ Mr. Baldwin ] was luminous when he spoke . . . the film made me want to learn more about James Baldwin . . . but also made me consider how we still treat people differently. . . I feel I’ll be more likely to stand up and say something, should I see someone being treated differently because of their race.”
>> “Baldwin states in the documentary that as long as I identify as “white” he is forced to identify as “black.” This really struck a chord with me. . . . nothing touched me more than the personal stories told during the Q and A session. I don’t know what it’s like to be black in America . . . admitting that I cannot be in the shoes of a black man is to open the door to a necessary education. . . I would like to stand up and proclaim that I am not white and you are not black, that I am me and you are you.”
>> “Granted, racism is still something very strongly present in America, but I can’t help but wish that Mr. Baldwin was still alive to see how far we’ve come. . . As a “wannabe” writer, I may have found a role model in Mr. James Arthur Baldwin. I respect the spirit of his writing . . . and I don’t know if my writing will ever touch or help as many people as he did, but that’s certainly something to aim for, and I’m absolutely sure he would tell me to aim even higher.”
>> “One of the biggest things I gained from the film screening was the discussion that followed. . . it is this very process of discussion which has the potential to disarm us and bind us together. That post-film dialogue could be seen as a microcosm of what needs to happen on a national scale. . . There is a danger for us as a nation to collectively lull ourselves into believing we are indeed a post-racial society. . . . this film, and James Baldwin himself, still have a lot to teach us about who we have been and where we are going.”
Our hosts at Mount Wachusetts Community College, including Dean of Students Jason Zalesky, proclaimed the event a huge success … and we are invited back!
Saturday, February 14 at 1:00pm, in the Community Room ~ Screening followed by discussion the with Filmmakers, hosted by Sherelle Harris, Assistant Director, Norwalk Public Library.
2 5 th A n n i v e r s i t y S c r e e n i n g O f t h e N e w l y R e s t o r e d 2 K V e r s i o n
Wednesday, November 12, 6:30 PM
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>> More Than 350 People Attended Including Executive Producer Albert Maysles, Baldwin Biographer David Leeming and Family Members Helen Baldwin & Trevor Baldwin!
>> The 2K Digital Restoration Looked Spectacular! Thanks to Tim Spitzer of Goldcrest Post, Also In Attendance
Above: David Baldwin tries to sum up his brother's life.
Followed by Q&A with filmmaker Karen Thorsen and Ricardo Montez, Assistant Professor of Performance Studies, Humanities Department, the School of Undergraduate Studies, The New School.
Moderated by Michelle Materre, Assistant Professor, School of Media Studies at The New School Curator/Producer, Creatively Speaking Film Series.
