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PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 21 april 2018
From far and wide, Beyonce brings excitement to HBCU culture

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. about her. She really spot-
Associated Press lighted a lot of the dancers
ATLANTA (AP) — When and the instrument players.
Beyonce paid tribute to I really appreciated that."
historically black colleges It's not the first time Be-
at Coachella, the singer's yonce has included an
grand performance reignit- HBCU band or dancers in
ed interest in the marching her routine. She performed
band culture and created with Southern University's
shockwaves of excitement Dancing Dolls during the
to students attending those 2013 Super Bowl halftime
schools. show.
From far and wide, some "I'm happy that she put
HBCU students are saying marching bands on a big-
Beyonce's routine was the ger stage, because we
main topic on their cam- deserve that," said James
pus this week — even over Oliver, band director of the
finals. The singer's high-en- Mighty Marching Hornets
ergy festival set over the at Alabama State Univer-
weekend involved a black sity. "We have been looked
college marching band, over for so many years.
dance troupes and step There are so many talented
teams along with her sing- students and band mem-
ing "Lift Every Voice and In this June 26, 2016, file photo, Beyonce performs "Freedom" at the BET Awards in Los Angeles. bers. We have to do more,
Sing," known as the nation- Associated Press and I'm going to make sure
al black anthem. we do."
"It's what everyone has plans to donate $100,000 ing at these schools." in Indio Valley, California, Over the years, other HBCU
been talking about. All my to four black universities — Xavier student Kamry Thom- would be confused by the marching bands have ap-
friends were gushing over $25,000 each to Tuskegee as, along with her friends black culture references. peared with some of the
it," said Cierra Johnson, 22, University, Bethune-Cook- Kai Wilson, Leah Tiller and But in the post, Knowles- biggest names in music.
a senior at Clark Atlanta man University, Xavier Uni- Tashely Drake, are plan- Lawson said she found Florida A&M's Marching
University. The journalism versity of Louisiana and Wil- ning on applying for the comfort after her superstar 100 performed with Prince
major watched Beyonce's berforce University. scholarship. Each believes daughter told her: "I have for his spectacular Super
performance online with One student from each Beyonce's performance a responsibility to do what's Bowl halftime show in 2007.
her friends (though the school will receive the will help boost HBCU enroll- best for the world and not Southern University's Danc-
superstar's second perfor- scholarship for the 2018- ment. what is most popular." ing Dolls squad accompa-
mance this weekend at 2019 academic year "People on Twitter, on so- Clark Atlanta senior Darrius nied Madonna at Super
the Coachella Valley Mu- through Beyonce's Bey- cial media, they are like Newton was glad the singer Bowl 46.
sic & Arts Festival will not be GOOD initiative. they're going to an HBCU used that platform, making Bethune-Cookman march-
streamed for fans). "She's getting the message next semester," said Wilson, him feel proud that he at- ing band director Donovan
"It shows that our culture is out there that HBCUs are a mass communion major. tends an HBCU. He called Wells hopes others can fol-
appreciated," she added. vital," Xavier president C. Thomas added: "I really her show "well thought out." low Beyonce's lead.
"I was happy to see black Reynold Verret said. "She's didn't think a lot of people "It really shows what hap- "One year at Texas, athletic
people unite to do great an important messenger knew about Xavier, but pens at HBCUs," said New- boosters raised $70 million
work. It has the power to in- to our community. It's im- they did and they're going ton, 22, who is majoring in for football, but most HB-
spire a lot of African-Ameri- portant that these young to." business and administra- CUs don't have $70 million
cans students who want to African-American students Even Beyonce's mother, tion with a concentration in annually in their budget or
go to an HBCU to experi- and even the parents of Tina Knowles-Lawson, said marketing. endowment. As far as what
ence that culture." the young women and in an Instagram post she "I really felt like I was at she has done, I hope she
Beyonce is also helping men know that HBCUs are was initially afraid that the someone's probate show can inspire other people to
people get there. She an- out here doing excellent predominantly white au- or a football game," he give and continue to move
nounced Monday she work. They should be look- dience at Coachella, set said. "She didn't make it all the needle."q

Sarah Jessica Parker calls Cynthia Nixon’s run ‘exciting’

By JOHN CARUCCI fan excited — Sarah Jessi- people are excited and “Blue Night,” Parker plays
Associated Press ca Parker. Parker said Thurs- enthusiastically supporting a New York singer who re-
NEW YORK (AP) — Cynthia day her former “Sex and her,” Parker said. ceives disturbing health-
Nixon’s quest for the gov- the City” co-star would be Then she added: “I think related news that makes
ernorship of New York state “right for New York.” she’s been great for the her reevaluate her life and
has at least one high-profile The actress spoke briefly conversation.” “Sex and dreams. It was shot in just 16
about Nixon’s New York gu- the City” ran on HBO from days and co-stars Jacque-
bernatorial run on the red 1998-2004 and spawned line Bisset, Common and
carpet for the world pre- two films. Parker has pre- Renee Zellweger. Parker
miere of her new film, “Blue viously endorsed Nixon, said she is proud that she
Night” at the Tribeca Film along with “Sex and the also handled all of the film’s Actress Sarah Jessica Parker
Festival. “I’m excited about City” co-star Kristin Davis. vocals, including a Rufus attends the 2018 Chanel
her candidacy. I’m proud Nixon is challenging New Wainwright-penned song. Tribeca Film Festival Women
of her. I know she loves this York governor Andrew “Yeah, it’s all me. Yeah, Filmmakers Luncheon at
Odeon on Friday, April 20,
city. She’s born and raised Cuomo in the upcoming even the ambient vocals 2018 in New York.
here, and I think a lot of Democratic primary. In are me,” Parker said.q Associated Press