COLUMBUS, Ohio—Columbus once again demonstrates its collaborative spirit by hosting a series of arts events and community conversations to celebrate the release of author Wil Haygood’s “Colorization: One Hundred Years of Black Films in a White World.”
Born in Columbus, Haygood has authored multiple nonfiction books including “The Butler: A Witness to History” (2013); “Showdown: Thurgood Marshall and the Supreme Court Nomination That Changed America” (2015); “In Black and White: The Life of Sammy Davis, Jr.” (2003) and “The Haygoods of Columbus” (1997), among others. In 2018, he published “TIGERLAND: 1968-1969: A City Divided, a Nation Torn Apart and a Magical Season of Healing” and curated the catalog for the Columbus Museum of Art’s “Harlem Renaissance: I, Too, Sing America” exhibition.
This series of events is something at which Columbus arts organization excel and continues the spirit of collaboration born during the “Harlem Renaissance: I, Too, Sing America” celebration, a year-long series of events presented by more than 30 area cultural organizations in 2018.
“Colorization” events take place Oct. 16-28, 2021. All events can be found at www.columbusmakesart.com/haygood.
Saturday, Oct. 16, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Columbus Museum of Art hosts a unique, one-day immersive film program for teens with Wil Haygood to cultivate and inspire the next generation of cultural producers. The program is by invitation and includes workshops and mentoring opportunities with local Black filmmakers and creatives. For more information, call (614) 629-0369.
Saturday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.
The Lincoln Theatre will host a free, 30th-anniversary screening of Robert Townsend’s 1991 feature film, “The Five Heartbeats.” Seats can be reserved here: my.cbusarts.com/2725
Sunday, Oct. 17, 3:30 p.m.
Columbus native and author Wil Haygood and Hollywood director and actor Robert Townsend will be live on stage at the Lincoln Theatre to discuss Black filmmaking and the history of Blacks in the film industry. Both Lincoln Theatre events are free but registration is required.
For more information and to register for either event visit: lincolntheatrecolumbus.com/black-film
Monday, Oct. 18, 7:00 p.m.
The Wexner Center will present a conversation with Wil and prolific film and television director Michael Schultz (who will appear remotely) where they will discuss such Schultz films as “Car Wash,” “Krush Groove,” and “The Last Dragon.” A book signing follows. Schultz’s landmark film “Cooley High” screens earlier that day at 4 p.m. Both are free to attend, and tickets are available at the Wexner Center Visitor Experience Desk. For more information on these events and the full Michael Schultz series: wexarts.org/explore/director-michael-schultz
Wednesday, Oct. 20, 11:30 a.m.
The Columbus Metropolitan Club’s weekly program will feature an interview with Wil to be moderated by Wexner Center Director of Film and Video, Dave Filipi. Registration information is available here: columbusmetroclub.wildapricot.org/event-4489591
Wednesday, Oct. 20, 6 p.m.
Gateway Film Center will host a conversation between American poet, essayist and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib and Wil Haygood, followed by a screening of Joseph Sargent’s “The Man” (1972). Admission is free and tickets will be available for pick up at the GFC Ticket Center three hours prior to screening. To register go to: gatewayfilmcenter.org/movies/the-man-1972-with-author-wil-haygood/
Thursday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m.
Gramercy Books will partner with the Drexel Theatre to present an evening of conversation and film that explores Black filmmaking in Hollywood. There will be a screening of “Foxy Brown” (1974), the first of a series of films from “Colorization” at the Drexel, followed by a Q&A and book sale and signing with Haygood. Cost to attend is $10. For more information and to purchase tickets visit: drexel.net/colorization/
Sunday, Oct. 24, 1 p.m.
The Columbus Metropolitan Library, in partnership with The King Arts Complex, will feature Wil Haygood as part of their Carnegie Author Series. Music provided by the King Arts Complex musicians performing scores from films referenced in “Colorization” and an in-person talk with Haygood about “Colorization” and book signing afterwards. Free to attend, registration required. To register visit: eventbrite.com/e/carnegie-author-series-featuring-wil-haygood-registration-166067551517
Monday, Oct. 25, 1:30 p.m.
Join Columbus State Community College in welcoming author Wil Haygood for a free reading from his new book “Colorization, One Hundred Years of Black Films in a White World.” The reading will be following by a Q&A and book signing. Register here: eventbrite.com/e/a-reading-with-wil-haygood-colorization-one-hundred-years-of-black-films-tickets-183731946197
Thursday, Oct. 28, 6 p.m.
The Columbus International Black Film Festival will host a free screening of “Shaft” at the Columbus Museum of Art. Free to attend, registration required. To register visit: columbusmuseum.org/?post_type=cma_event&p=36295
The community-wide celebration of the release of “Colorization” is supported by CAPA, Columbus International Black Film Festival, Columbus Metropolitan Club, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus Museum of Art, Drexel Theatre, Gateway Film Center, Gramercy Books, Greater Columbus Arts Council, King Arts Complex, Larry and Donna James, Lincoln Theatre and Wexner Center for the Arts.
Photos and interviews are available upon request.
Mission of the Greater Columbus Arts Council: To support and advance the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. www.gcac.org
The Greater Columbus Arts Council receives major financial support from the City of Columbus, Franklin County Commissioners and the Ohio Arts Council.
For translations of this release and other pages, please see the dropdown menu at the top right corner of gcac.org.
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CONTACT: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org