• Cary’s Annual African American Celebration is “A Special Tribute to Cash Michaels - Reflections of a Journalist’s Life.”
• The Cary Theater, 122 East Chatham St., hosts the festival March 3 and 4 at 6 p.m. both days.
• Events are free; tickets are required for each evening and can be reserved in advance.

Cary, N.C. – Reserve your seats for the Town of Cary’s annual African American Celebration: “A Special Tribute to Cash Michaels - Reflections of a Journalists Life”; The Cary Theater, 122 East Chatham St., hosts the festival March 3 and 4 at 6 p.m. both days. While the events are free, tickets are required for each evening. 

Cash Michaels is an award-winning contributing writer for the Winston-Salem Chronicle and the Carolina Peacemaker in Greensboro. He is also a staff writer and award-winning columnist for the Wilmington Journal in Wilmington, NC and contributing writer for The Amsterdam News in New York. The 200-member National Newspaper Publishers Association also carries many of his stories.  Locally, he is weekly commentator for Raleigh’s 680 WPTF-AM and, since January 2008, has served as a regular panelist on WRAL-TV’s “NC Spin,” the weekly public affairs program that airs statewide.

On March 3, the Town invites ticket holders to a reception at The Cary Theater followed by a compilation screening of Michaels’ documentary work. Following the screening Tom Campbell, who hosts the weekly television program NC SPIN, moderates a panel discussion on the theme “Stay Strong: Journalism and Social Activism Together.”  Irving L. Joyner, North Carolina Central University professor of law; Afrique Kilimanjaro, Carolina Peacemaker publisher; Al McSurely, North Carolina NCAAP communications chair; attorney Deborah Ross, former member North Carolina House; and Salima Thomas, director of Member Engagement at the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits will participate.

The following day, March 4, ticket holders are invited to a reception followed by an on-stage interview with Cash Michaels in which he speaks of his life and career. Jazz vocalist Eve Cornelious performs following Michaels’ presentation.

Tickets can be reserved in advance:

• in person at the Cary Arts Center, Monday, 4-8 p.m. or
• at The Cary Theater Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. or Saturday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
• anytime online at www.etix.com
• through the eTix Phone Center, 1 (800) 514-3849, Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. or Sunday, 12–8 p.m.

Assuming availability, patrons can also pick up tickets at The Cary Theatre one hour prior to any show on the day of the event.

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Primary Contacts    

Robbie Stone, Arts Program and Operations Coordinator, (919) 460-4969

Marie Maguire, Public Information Specialist, (919) 380-4227

Deanna Hawkes, Deputy Public Information Officer, (919) 380-4240

Resources

African American Festival

The Cary Theater