Department of Tourism
For Immediate Release:  July 19, 2002
Contact:  Alis Veren (605) 835-8002

GREGORY HOSTS SEVENTH ANNUAL OSCAR MICHEAUX FILM FESTIVAL

The seventh annual Oscar Micheaux Film Festival, co-sponsored by the South Dakota Humanities Council and South Dakota Arts Council, is Aug. 7–11 in Gregory. The festival is a celebration of the life and films of one of America’s first black homesteaders and greatest filmmakers. Take part in an independent film festival, meals at the original Micheaux homestead, discussions on Micheaux’s works, and showings of Micheaux films.

Film showings are $5 and meals at the homestead are $6. Presentations and other events are open to the public and free of charge.

After registration, the festival will start off with the Oscar Micheaux Life History Exhibit at the Pocahontas Historical Rural School, adjacent to the Dixon Town Hall Theater at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7. At 5:30 p.m., the tipi and tent raising at the original Micheaux Homestead Site will give visitors a hands-on pioneering experience. Enjoy a sunset supper at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, where Dallas Chief Eagle, a nationally recognized American Indian dancer and storyteller, will perform. 

As the week continues, presentations and discussions led by Micheaux scholars from around the country will be held at the Dixon Town Hall Theater. Independently produced films will be shown each day and a forum featuring filmmakers is set for 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10. Micheaux films, "God’s Stepchildren," "Swing" and "Body and Soul" will also be shown throughout the week. Audiences watching the 1924 silent film "Body and Soul" will also get the pleasure of hearing piano accompaniment by Roger Wolff, a retired Hollywood musician and silent film collector.

Actress Queen Bey, a jazz singer who appears in two of the Micheaux films showing at the festival, will perform musical selections and speak about her starring role in "Ninth Street" at 1 p.m. on Aug. 10. 

For information, contact Alis Veren at (605) 835-8002 or visit www.travelsd.com or www.micheaux.org. 

The Oscar Micheaux Film Festival has been designated a "Great Event" by the South Dakota Department of Tourism. With that designation, the department provides assistance to event coordinators and creates and funds promotions for the event. The objective of the Department of Tourism’s "Great Events" program is to boost attendance at South Dakota events and to increase economic impact in host communities.

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