Big Read celebrations, nationwide from January to June 2008, will focus on 16 classic novels, out of which the NBAF will promote Zora Neal Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God throughout communities in metro Atlanta. The NBAF hosts author Alice Walker for the 2008 festival, who was so moved by Hurston’s novel she traveled to Eatonville, Fla., to purchase a gravestone for Hurston’s unmarked grave.

To learn more about NBAF’s Big Read initiative and to get a full listing of activities, visit here.

For guidelines on applying, organizations should head to the Arts Council’s website and contact the agency early to make sure they are eligible to apply.

“We hope the wireless program at the Woodruff will encourage guests to spend more time on our campus,” Flood said in a press release. “We want them to come earlier and stay longer so they can enjoy the full range of arts we have to offer.”

Patrons with Wi-Fi-enabled laptops or other devices compatible with 802.11b/g standard will be able to connect to the network, allowing them to search for pieces of artwork, learn more about what they’ve just seen, or just like, check their e-mail and stuff.

Throughout its 28 years, Mercer University Press has printed materials focusing on philosophy, religion, and Southern history and culture, particularly that of the Civil War. The publishing company holds its 18th annual fundraiser, the MERCER UNIVERSITY PRESS AUTHORS LUNCHEON, Sat., DEC. 1. Four of the 14 speakers/authors include Steve Berry (right), lawyer and historical-thriller writer; Terry Kay, a recent inductee to the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame; Pulitzer-Prize-winning author Hank Klibanoff; and Fayetteville humorist Ferrol Sams. $125. Opening reception and book signing: 10:30 a.m. Lunch and speakers: noon. InterContinental Hotel Buckhead, 3315 Peachtree Road. 678-547-6439. apps.mercer.edu/calendar.

Check this very earnest review of one of Steve Berry’s books…

(photo MJ Conboy)

Theatre in the Square’s production of Christmas at Sweet Apple has been extended for another week of performances. The show was scheduled to close Dec. 30, but six more shows have been added that will run until Sunday, Jan. 6. The added shows are:

Wed., Jan. 2, 8 p.m. $25; Thurs., Jan. 3, 8 p.m. $25; Fri., Jan. 4, 8 p.m. $30; Sat., Jan. 5, 2:30 p.m. $25; Sat., Jan. 5, 8 p.m. $35; Sun., Jan. 6, 2:30 p.m. $30.

Read Curt Holman’s recent review of the show here.

Paul Rusesabagina being presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom
(photo by Paul Morse)

Tuesday night, Emory University hosts the event Beyond Hollywood’s Rwanda: Truth and Justice, Security and Development to counter Paul Rusesabagina’s (the supposed hero of Hotel Rwanda fame) controversial visit last month.

When it comes to conflict in post-colonial Africa, the issues of military intervention and humanitarian efforts are always many-sided. African conflicts do not exist isolated from external forces; African history is too inextricably tied to external actors for that to ever be the case. The issue then isn’t whether or not outsiders intervene, but how intervention should be handled.

When Hollywood takes on violence in Africa, what begin as honestly good intentions often lead to overly simplistic and even blatantly wrong portrayals of the situation. Movies such as Darfur Now and Hotel Rwanda want to bring American attention to the long-ignored atrocities committed in Rwanda during the ’90s and in Darfur today — parts of the world many Americans know nothing about.

Despite this genuine wish to do good, in the case of Hotel Rwanda, the story of Paul Rusesabagina and his celebrated efforts during the Rwandan genocide is now being virulently protested as a Hollywood falsehood by those who were there when it happened. While the movie paints Rusesabagina to Rwanda as Spielberg’s Schindler was to the Holocaust, he was denounced by columnist Job Jabiro from Rwanda’s New Times daily as a “publicity hound, genocide revisionist, promoter of ethnic hate speech” who was “shamelessly banking on the genocide and endangering the survivors.” (See Curt Holman’s 2005 review of Hotel Rwanda here.)

Amid controversy, Emory University welcomed Rusesabagina to speak on campus for the State of Race event last month. Now, to counter this event and address protest, the university is hosting tomorrow night’s event, which brings together diplomats, genocide survivors and academics moderated by CNN’s Jim Clancey to discuss the events that led to the 1994 genocide and the ongoing efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

People are smart enough to understand the issues as they actually exist, and it is vital that we continue to try to educate and spread information about African conflicts. It just means taking the time to look past the simplicity of a T-shirt slogan or a Hollywood hero to fully appreciate the complexities of the situation.

Tues., Nov. 27. 6-8 p.m. Glenn Memorial Auditorium, Emory University. Free. Tickets available at DUC information desk, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory School of Law, and other locations. Information at www. rzhrg.com.

Arts Clayton, a community-service arts agency promoting Georgia artists with an eye toward Clayton County and south metro Atlanta, has chosen recipients for grants from its Grassroots Art Program (GAP).

The grants, funded by the Georgia Council of the Arts with money from the Georgia General Assembly, are part of a statewide arts program aimed at providing equal access to the arts for Georgians all around. GAP provides up to $2000 per organization through the grants for Clayton, Coweta, Fayette, Henry and Spalding counties. By supporting those projects just starting out, GAP hopes to provide funds during the “gap” period between startup and the point when an organization can become self-sufficient or apply directly for funding from larger funding agents.

To be picked for funding, projects must be accessible to the general public and provide a cash match of the grant for half of the total project cost. In determining awardees this year, consideration was given to those art projects with a commitment to “excellence, accessibility, education, collaboration and support for local artists.”

A sampling of those projects selected for funding: Clayton County Public Schools Performing Arts Center, African American Philharmonic, Festival Ballet, Griffin Ballet Theatre (pictured above), “Speak on It” Film Making Workshops for Teens, Fayette County Society for Fine Art … and many more.

Visit the Arts Clayton website for more information about GAP.

In its fall concert titled “Frames and References,” THE EMORY DANCE COMPANY features a range of pieces expressing themes related to syncopated time, landscapes, relationships, clothing and protest. The concert, Thurs.-Sun., Nov. 15-18, features choreography by Atlanta guest artists Amanda Luna and Kathleen Wessel, and national choreographer David Dorfman, along with Emory Dance faculty members. All pieces are preformed by students in the Emory Dance Company. $6-$10. 8 p.m.; Nov. 17, 2 p.m.  Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, Emory University, 1700 N. Decatur Road. 404-727-5050. www.schwartzcenter.emory.edu.

(Photo credit: (c) 2003 Dimension Films)Are you representative of the holidays in some way, shape or form? For CL’s upcoming Holiday Guide ’07, we’re profiling six people who define the holiday season. We are looking for people who fit the following categories:

The Spiritual (Christian, Jewish, you name it), the Secular (not so religious), the Department-Store Santa (you know who you are), the Anti-Consumer (hey, no spender!), the Workhorse (moonlighting, are we?), the Lonely Heart (single, are we?)

And asking you these questions:

Why are you the way you are? What’s your ideal holiday meal? What’s the perfect gift to give or receive this season? Where are your holiday festivities/parties? What’s the best feel-good activity of the season for you?

If you’re interested and would like to participate, please e-mail me at adina.fleming@cln.com.

A closing keynote presentation Sat., NOV. 17, on repairing America’s image in the world features Ambassador Dennis Ross, who has served as chief negotiator to the Middle East under both Republican and Democratic presidents, and professor of political science and Israeli studies at Emory, Ken Stein. The days in between include Esquire editor-at-large and author of The Year of Living Biblically A.J. Jacobs Thurs., NOV. 8 (read the profile/podcast), and 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner and AJC managing editor Hank Klibanoff, author of The Race Beat: The Press, The Civil Rights Struggle, and the Awakening of a Nation, in conversation with U.S. Rep. John Lewis on Wed., NOV. 14.

Prices, times, dates and locations vary. 678-812-4005.