Feb. 5, 2004

(Dallas) - Exploring a family tree can be enlightening, fun and sobering. Exploring the family history of African American literature has become a Dallas event each year, with the help of authors, playwrights, actors and the Dallas County Community College District. This year, area residents are invited to DCCCD's fifth annual citywide African American Read-In on Sun., Feb. 8, to learn more about the African Diaspora through a commissioned work titled AncesTREE: African Roots, American Branches. The free program begins at 3 p.m. in the Majestic Theatre on Elm Street in downtown Dallas; seating is limited, so interested participants are encouraged to arrive early.

The production will take audience members on a journey to learn more about the African Diaspora, a phenomena that resulted during the 400-year slave trade in which enslaved Africans were brought to Europe and the Americas. The program will feature not only poetry and prose but also the music and dance of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean; it will bring to life the works of local, national and international writers.

AncesTREE pays tribute to the courage and strength of African people, who survived, adapted and thrived during hard times. "Their spirit and culture helped shape and grow the world - the tree of humanity," said Carla Ranger, executive director of DCCCD's office of educational partnerships and founder of the Dallas African American Read-In.

The production will feature an intergenerational and multicultural group of actors, readers, dancers, singers and musicians, bringing the "page to the stage" of a work penned by Dallas talent Anyika McMillan-Herod and directed by Monique Ridge-Williams. Guest readers Glynn Turman and Anna Maria Horsford, plus a host of others, will take audience members through two acts that includes scenes titled "Our Roots: The Motherland"; "The Middle Passage: Enslavement"; "The Mexican Branch: The Ballad of Veracruz"; "The Native American Branch: Great Spirit" and "Black Indian"; "Freedom Days: The Party"; "The Caribbean Branch: The Tree of Love"; "Our Sustaining Faith"; "Testimony"; "Reclamation"; and the finale, titled "Celebrate, We Are One!"

Audience members will receive free T-shirts, tote bags and books; adults and children age 8 and older are invited. Visit www.readin.dcccd.edu or call 214.860.2005.