Dorothy West

The New York Public Library will open a new exhibit, The Ways of Langston Hughes: Griff Davis and Black Artists in the Making. The exhibit will continue until July 8.

Renaissance House Retreat for Writers & Artists has invited the public and volunteer readers to participate in the 17th annual free dramatic reading of Frederick Douglass' powerful speech 'What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?' on July 4 at 11:00 a.m. at Martha's Vineyard's historic Inkwell Beach in Oak Bluffs.

THE WIZARD OF OZ, and HAMA Productions pulled out all the stops to stage a spectacular production at Crown Theatre, with an entertaining, energetic and colourful production being a wonderful way to kick off 2022 in the theatre.

Renaissance House Retreat for Writers & Artists invites the public to celebrate Independence Day by participating in the 12th annual free dramatic reading of Frederick Douglass' powerful landmark speech 'What Does the Fourth of July Mean to the Negro?' at Martha's Vineyard's historic Inkwell Beach in Oak Bluffs on July 4 at 4:00pm. Readers of all ages are invited to help bring the words of Frederick Douglass to life. Each volunteer reader will recite different sections of the 10,000-plus word address Douglass wrote during American slavery in 1852. Although it's been 166 years since Frederick Douglass delivered his Fourth of July speech at a convention in Rochester, New York, the message is especially resonating during today's turbulent political era.

Renaissance House Retreat for Writers & Artists invites the public to celebrate Independence Day by participating in the 12th annual free dramatic reading of Frederick Douglass' powerful landmark speech 'What Does the Fourth of July Mean to the Negro?' at Martha's Vineyard's historic Inkwell Beach in Oak Bluffs on July 4 at 4:00pm. Readers of all ages are invited to help bring the words of Frederick Douglass to life. Each volunteer reader will recite different sections of the 10,000-plus word address Douglass wrote during American slavery in 1852. Although it's been 166 years since Frederick Douglass delivered his Fourth of July speech at a convention in Rochester, New York, the message is especially resonating during today's turbulent political era.

The public is invited to a celebration of diversity and human rights by participating in the Renaissance House: Retreat for Writers & Artists' 11th annual free dramatic reading of Frederick Douglass' powerful landmark speech 'What Does the Fourth of July Mean to the Negro?' taking place on July 4 at 4:00pm on Martha's Vineyard historic Inkwell Beach in Oak Bluffs.

The public is invited to a celebration of diversity and human rights by participating in the Renaissance House: Retreat for Writers & Artists' 11th annual free dramatic reading of Frederick Douglass' powerful landmark speech 'What Does the Fourth of July Mean to the Negro?' taking place on July 4 at 4:00pm on Martha's Vineyard historic Inkwell Beach in Oak Bluffs.

On Today, December 2, Amazon Original Kids Special LOST IN OZ: EXTENDED ADVENTUREis set to premiere on Prime Video in the US and UK.

On Friday, December 2, Amazon Original Kids Special LOST IN OZ: EXTENDED ADVENTUREis set to premiere on Prime Video in the US and UK.

Readers of all ages, races and backgrounds are invited by Renaissance House: Retreat for Writers & Artists in Martha's Vineyard to celebrate Independence Day by being a part of one of the most powerful speeches of all time in America --"What Does the Fourth of July Mean to the Negro?" by legendary human rights activist Frederick Douglass taking place at the historic Inkwell Beach in Oak Bluffs on Monday, July 4 at 12:00noon. It's free to the public.

Two of the most regaled poets of the 21st century, Afaa Michael Weaver and Rich Michelson, will be reading together at the Katharine Cornell Theater, 54 Spring Street in Vineyard Haven tonight, July 3 at 7:00PM. It is free and the public is invited.

Two of the most regaled poets of the 21st century, Afaa Michael Weaver and Rich Michelson, will be reading together at the Katharine Cornell Theater, 54 Spring Street in Vineyard Haven on Friday, July 3 at 7:00PM. It is free and the public is invited.

Renaissance House: A Retreat for Writers Salon Series will host an evening with Martha's Vineyard poets: Dan Waters, Mike West and Justin Ahren on Tuesday, July 8 at 7:30pm at Renaissance House, 31 Pennacook Avenue in Oak Bluffs.

Renaissance House: Retreat for Writers & Artists in Martha's Vineyard invites readers of all ages, races and backgrounds to go to the historic Inkwell Beach in Oak Bluffs today, July 4 to raise their voices in powerful group and individual efforts to bring life to the words of one of the top speeches of all time "What Does the Fourth of July Mean to the Negro?" by one of the great writers of all time, human rights activist Frederick Douglass, the first black citizen in U.S. history to hold a high ranking government office.

Renaissance House: Retreat for Writers & Artists in Martha's Vineyard invites readers of all ages, races and backgrounds to go to the historic Inkwell Beach in Oak Bluffs on Friday, July 4 to raise their voices in powerful group and individual efforts to bring life to the words of one of the top speeches of all time "What Does the Fourth of July Mean to the Negro?" by one of the great writers of all time, human rights activist Frederick Douglass, the first black citizen in U.S. history to hold a high ranking government office.

Martha's Vineyard, MA (June 22, 2014)-- Renaissance House: A Retreat for Writers Salon Series will host an evening with Patricia Williams, award-winning writer, Nation Magazine columnist, Columbia Law School professor and MacArthur Fellow on Tuesday, June 24 at 7:30pm at Renaissance House, 31 Pennacook Avenue in Oak Bluffs.

Abigail McGrath, founder of Renaissance House: A Retreat for Writers & Other Artists, will be previewing her book in development, Three Little Women, at the Harlem Fine Arts Show @ Martha's Vineyard Authors' Pavilion on Wednesday, August 7 at 3:30pm at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, 100 Vineyard Road in Oak Bluffs.

Renaissance House: A Retreat for Writers and Other Artists in Martha's Vineyard will host a presentation on writing about cultural cuisine by Jessica B. Harris, award-winning author and scholar of foods of the African Diaspora today, July 30 at 7:30pm at the Renaissance House,31 Pennacook Avenue in historic Oak Bluffs.

Renaissance House: A Retreat for Writers and Other Artists in historic Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard celebrates July 4th at 4pm with a free pot luck picnic and group reading of Frederick Douglass's famous speech 'What Does The Fourth of July Mean to a Negro?' on the Little Bridge on State Beach in Oak Bluffs. 'The year is 1852, slavery of black people is still in effect. In Rochester, NY, Frederick Douglass is invited to speak about what the fourth of July means for slaves. He is in a bind. He praises the American founding fathers yet, he must condemn slavery,' explained Abigail McGrath, founder of Renaissance House. 'Remember, Douglass had escaped from slavery. In the speech, he tells the audience that they have gathered to celebrate the Fourth of July, but he reminds them, without being bitter, that the nation is young, and, like a young child, it is still impressionable and capable of positive changes.' Fred Collins, a longtime cultural advocate in Oak Bluffs, will start the readings. The program will continue with members from the audience reciting passages from Frederick Douglass' historic speech. The will also be a pot luck dinner, where people are invited to share their favorite dishes. 'Renaissance House is located in Oak Bluffs, an historic black community. It was inspired by cousins Helene Johnson and Dorothy West, writers from the Harlem Renaissance,' said McGrath. 'To celebrate the Fourth of July, it is important for Renaissance House to explore the words of writer Frederick Douglass on his thoughts of this important American holiday.' Renaissance House Retreat provides writers and artists with a subsidized retreat away from life's responsibilities and the space in which to create new works of art. Renaissance House is one of the few retreats designed for issue-oriented writers, writers of color and writers of social justice.' Renaissance House Fellows for 2013 include Afaa Michael Weaver, Pushcart Award-winning poet, playwright and director of the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Center at Simmons College. In addition, Renaissance House holds a weekly salon series that is free to the public and is sponsored by the Helene Johnson and Dorothy West Foundation For Artists In Need. It is held at 31 Pennacook Avenue in Oak Bluffs. Dessert is served after each salon. From July to August, the Renaissance House Salon Series will host a free memoir writing workshop with Susan Klein on Mondays and on Tuesdays there will be guest speakers. The Renaissance House Salon Series schedule is: 7:30 PM Monday, July 8, Susan Klein, Memoir Writing 7:30 PM Tuesday, July 9, Shana Mahaffey, Surviving as a Writer 7:30 PM Monday, July 15, Susan Klein, Memoir Writing 7:30 PM Tuesday, July 16, Holly Nadler, How To Blossom From the Shadow Of Your Husband 7:30 PM Monday, July 22, Susan Klein, Memoir Writing 7:30 PM Tuesday, July 23, Cynthia Riggs, Mysterious Matters 7:30 PM Monday, July 29, Susan Klein, Memoir Writing 7:30 PM Tuesday, July 30, Jessica Harris, Food As Thought 7:30 PM Monday, August 5, Susan Klein, Memoir Writing 7:30 PM Tuesday, August 6, TBA The Renaissance House Salon Series and July 4 programs are free and open to the public. Please RSVP for a reservation. For more information call Renaissance House at 917-747-0367.