... On “Dancing The Dream”
On March 26th, 2013, I did a presentation at Alabama A&M University on Michael Jackson’s 1992 book Dancing The Dream as part of the university’s annual spring Books and Coffee series. Perhaps before launching into the presentation, I should explain a little bit about what the Books and Coffee series is. This is a series sponsored by the English department every spring, for which faculty members review a book of their choice to colleagues, students, and the community. Late last year, I submitted a request to review Dancing The Dream after learning that the committee had recently overturned the old rule that only current books could be reviewed. I was also encouraged after learning that one of my colleagues, Dr. Peter Green, was going to kick off the series with a presentation on the new James Brown biography, The One, by R.J. Smith. It seemed only natural, then, that James Brown’s greatest protoge’, Michael Jackson, should be the follow up act. Much to my delight, my request was met with an enthusiastic response, and in the month leading up to it, I had worked very hard at promoting the event to the community and encouraging student turnout. But little did I-or anyone-anticipate the standing-room-only crowd that gathered in the LRC multi-purpose room that day!
The crowd began filtering in about 12:00pm. By 12:25 or so it was already a packed room…and still more coming in! By the time I took the microphone at 12:30, I was looking out over a sea of faces. By the time it was over (so I was told) they were having to scramble to bring in extra chairs. Many had to end up standing in back of the room. I was later told that it was the largest turn-out A&M University had ever had for any Books and Coffee presentation. “It looked like a movie theatre in there,” said one colleague the next day.
I am still, a week later, overwhelmed and touched by this unprecedented response. I had so many kind words afterword, and so many asking to know more about this book and about Michael’s life-but, more importantly, asking to know more about his message.
Unfortunately, I did have to cut the presentation a bit shorter than initially planned, but when all was said and done, it turned out fine. So, as promised, I am going to let you guys see the presentation I gave and also, try to recreate the full experience as much as possible.
So here is the early crowd, starting to gather at just after 12pm:
(weiter im Link) http://www.allforloveblog.com/?p=7957
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