Conversations... with Dad: * Pop Lloyd Weekend Update

Thursday, September 23, 2010

* Pop Lloyd Weekend Update - Fri. 9-24

18th Annual Pop Lloyd Weekend

Celebrating the Negro Leagues

October 1-3, 2010

Through the years Pop Lloyd Weekend has been a special time. (You can view our scrapbook to your right.) I'm still grappling with how quickly 18 years can slip away. The weekends have been memorable and the source of some of my most treasured memories. And, even though each one brought with it the kinds of unique challenges and struggles that come with bringing anything to life. I wouldn't trade any of them. Not one. Because, at its core, Pop Lloyd Weekend is a celebration of the legacy of the men and women of the Negro Leagues.

This year is absolutely no different. Local schools strapped for cash don't have money to transport students to our Friday symposium or to pay for substitutes. Many of them will be there anyway. I am humbled by their determination and thirst. And, as always, they will not be disappointed and their minds and their souls will be filled.

Stephan A Smith
Stockton Symposium 2008

Over the years The Pop Lloyd Committee has been able to give area high school students a unique window into history. And, through the eyes of authors and athletes themselves they have had the ability to not only hear the stories, but to question the stories behind the story. These young adults have challenged and at the same time been challenging. It has grown to be a important part of weekend and reflects the growing partnership between the Committee and the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey--the symposium home. We will miss those students who are unable to be with us.

The Atlantic City Art Center, which has provided a home for our art shows in the past has been closed due to weather damage to the Pier. We are still waiting to see if it will be available on Sunday. We will display as much as we can at the Awards dinner on Saturday night but...

We've been here before and to take a quote from Philadelphia Star Stanley Glenn's book: Don't Let Anybody Take Your Joy.

So this is OUR reality...

The 18th Annual Pop Lloyd Weekend will be held October 1-3 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Beginning Oct 1 with our Annual Symposium of authors to be held at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Performing Arts Center. On Saturday evening the Humanitarian Awards Dinner will be held at Bally's Hotel and Casino where there will be a display of art portraying the early lives of the men of the Negro Leagues.

Emilio Navarro will be with us to celebrate his 105 birthday.

We will also continue to celebrate with Monte Irvin, the retiring of his Jersey this year by the San Francisco Giants, always remembering he was a Newark Eagle first.

Joining Monte will be Red Moore, another former Eagle and Octogenarians Mahlon Duckett, Stanley Glenn and Harold Gould of the Philadelphia Stars.

And, as always-- what a JOYous time we will have!
Click on the images below to enlarge invitation and schedule:

*Eureka the Art Center will be open

Pop Lloyd and the Northside

The Art of Wayne Mann
Artist Reception
Oct. 3, 1-4pm
The Atlantic City Art Center is located at New Jersey Avenue and Boardwalk.
Admission and Parking Free

Also on display artists Lou Grant and Dane Tilghman and the collected works from the Pop Lloyd Committee.

Live Music and Refreshments!

1 comment:

Dee J. said...: Belinda, I found this blog from your other blog when I was looking for dollmakers and quilters. I love your work and this blog. It is such a heartfelt and beautiful tribute to your father. Reading your profile info, I find we share a lot of likes. I especially loved the "Playing for Change" songs. I've been a fan and supporter of that initiative for some time. I invite you to visit my blog also, www.fab-lover.blogspot.com.; September 30, 2010 at 6:55 AM

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About this Blog

My father died in 2003, 6 months after my mother. After his death, one of the things I missed most was our conversations. So I started this blog. We would sit at the kitchen table or on the front porch and have these long, philosophical conversations about the state of everything. Then we would solve all of the world's problems over a cigarette and a cup of coffee. One of the warmest memories I have was of him sitting on the front porch talking to me while I painted around him. It was the beginning of summer and he was commenting on how he wished he could pick up a brush and help. He often would read something from the paper and then voice his righteous indignation. It would end with a "It's a damn shame!" or "They must think we're stupid." I miss that. I miss the bond we shared around joint perspectives. And I miss the knowledge that could only come from one seasoned with so many life experiences, especially now that I have come to the point in my life that I know the real important questions to ask. I am 60 years old, and came of age during the '60s. I'm a proud boomer. I remember when poets poeted

Writers wrote... Actors acted out, Painters created art from everything and anything that remained still long enough to be painted

and there was truly civil disobedience at the very thought of someone taking away any of our freedoms.

And the world began to shift... A little. Well, I took a rest. And it must have been a long rest. I feel like Rip Van Winkle. Anyway, by the time I REALLY woke up things were shifting back. Way back. And right now, I gotta say I'm feeling like it's gonna take more thin I got to turn this around. And my dad's not here to share my anger, to talk about our outrage, and to answer my questions. So here is where I can have the conversations I would have with him if he were still here and we could share a cigarette and a cup of coffee on his front porch.