Community Corner
Roswell Roots Festival Returns in February
Roswell Roots: A Festival of Black History and Culture.
The City of Roswell will host its 15th Annual Roswell Roots Festival in February, in conjunction with Black History Month. This year, there will be 23 different events ranging from music and art exhibitions to panel discussions and poetry.
Roswell Roots has grown into one of the largest and most comprehensive celebrations of black history and culture in the Southeast and has been awarded the “Gold Award for Best Cultural Event” by the Southeast Festival and Events Association.
Selected highlights of this year’s festival include:
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Kuibuka – Artist Talk and Reception
January 30, 3:00-5:00 p.m., Bulloch Hall, FREE
Experience Dawn Williams Boyd’s exhibit of cloth paintings that reflect her interest in American history, women’s identity, sexuality, religion and politics. Through cutting, patching, surface enhancement and quilting, bits and pieces of fabric are transformed into modern visual storytelling.
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Unity Concert featuring The Shades of Pink Breast Cancer Survivors Choir
January 31, 4:00 p.m., Zion Missionary Baptist Church, FREE
Come hear the magnificent voices of choirs from several area churches, including Zion Missionary Baptist Church and Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, along with featured guest – The Shades of Pink Breast Cancer Survivors Choir – as they perform their favorite selections.
LIVE! In Roswell presents The Blind Boys of Alabama
February 6, 8:00 p.m., Roswell Cultural Arts Center
Presented by the Roswell Presents LIVE! in Roswell series, The Blind Boys of Alabama are recognized around the world as living legends and modern-day innovators, and their live shows are roof-raising musical events that have taken them to virtually every continent. The Blind Boys have won five Grammy Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Grammy, have been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and have performed at the White House for three different presidents. To purchase tickets, call (770) 594-6232 or visit roswellcac.com.
“Goin’ to Chicago” Film Viewing and Reception with the Director
February 9, 4:00-7:00 p.m., Roswell Cultural Arts Center, FREE
Enjoy this 50-minute documentary that chronicles the great migration of African-Americans from the rural south to the cities of the north and west after World War II. After the film, there will be a brief discussion with producer/director George King and a reception hosted by the Roswell Historical Society.
“Slammin’ in the Suburbs” – Roswell Poetry Slam
February 11, 7:00 p.m., Roswell Historic Cottage, FREE
This is Roswell’s 12th annual poetry slam, during which poets perform their work and are judged by members of the audience on content and performance. For details on the rules and how to participate, visit roswellroots.com/poetryslam.
Southern Sweets – 2nd Annual Pound Cake Cook-Off
February 27, 1:00-3:00 p.m., East Roswell Recreation Center, FREE
A new favorite to the Roswell Roots event lineup, the pound cake cook-off features both amateur and professional bakers. If you’re an amateur baker, register to enter the contest and see how your pound cake measures up. Attendees will get to meet and mingle with the competing bakers, swap recipes, sample delicious pound cake, and vote for their favorites. Several local restaurants and bakeries will have cake entries and will provide guest judges. For details about how to enter the competition, visit roswellroots.com/poundcake.
For a full listing of Roswell Roots events, visit www.roswellroots.com.
