PITT TO PRESENT PROGRAM DEVOTED TO LITERATURE AND CULTURE OF AFRICAN DIASPORA

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 12 -- The University of Pittsburgh Department of Africana Studies and the English Department will present "Fusions: Crossing Languages and Spaces," a program of events devoted to the literature and culture of the African Diaspora, opening with a reading by Merle Collins, novelist and poet, on Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 8:15 p.m., in 125 Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, Schenley Drive, Oakland.

Author of two poetry collections, "Because the Dawn Breaks" and "Rotten Pomerack;" the novels "Angel" and "The Colour of Forgetting;" and a short story collection, "Rain Darling," Collins also is the first guest author for the Pittsburgh Contemporary Writers Series. Several of the events are both part of the Writers Series and the Fusions program. The Fusions program is supported by a grant from the Office of the Provost.

A departmental colloquium, entitled "African-American Writing in The Academy and Other Public Places," will be held on Thursday, Jan. 18, at 4 p.m. in 2P56 Posvar Hall, South Bouquet Street, Oakland. The panel will feature science fiction writer Samuel Delany; poets Nathaniel Mackey and Lorenzo Thomas; and Mae G. Henderson, English professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

At 8:15 p.m. that evening, Delany, Mackey, and Thomas will conduct a reading, also as part of the Contemporary Writers Series, in 125 Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, Schenley Drive, Oakland.

The Fusions program will culminate with "Artists and Influence: A Panel Discussion," featuring author James Hatch; critic Woodie King, Jr.; journalist Shauneille Perry; and playwright Elizabeth Van Dyke, on Monday, April 16, at 8:15 p.m., in 120 David Lawrence Hall, Forbes Avenue, Oakland.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, call

412-648-7540 or 412-624-6506. A complete schedules follows:

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2000, 8:15 p.m.

Merle Collins, author of "Because the Dawn Breaks," "Rotten Pomerack,"

"Angel," "The Colour of Forgetting," and "Rain Darling."

125 Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, Schenley Drive, Oakland.

Thursday, Jan. 18, 2001, 4 p.m. Panel Discussion

Samuel R. Delany, author of "They Fly at Ciron,"

Mae G. Henderson, editor of "Borders, Boundaries, and Frames,"

Nathaniel Mackey, author of "Discrepant Engagement," and

Lorenzo Thomas, author of "Extraordinary Measures."

2P56 Posvar Hall, South Bouquet Street, Oakland.

Thursday, Jan. 18, 2001, 8:15 p.m. Reading

Samuel R. Delany

Nathaniel Mackey

Lorenzo Thomas

125 Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, Schenley Drive, Oakland.

Monday, April 16, 2001, 8:15 p.m.

Artists and Influence: A Panel of African-American Theater

James Hatch, author, "Black Theater USA;"

Woodie King Jr., critic, "National Black Drama Anthology;"

Shauneille Perry, journalist, "Black Playwrights of the Twentieth Century;" and

Elizabeth Van Dyke, playwright, "Love to All, Lorraine."

120 David Lawrence Hall, Forbes Avenue, Oakland.

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