Alpha Week features play, AIDS lecture

A forum on AIDS and a drama production are among events scheduled for Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity's Alpha Week starting Sunday. Alpha Week, a series of events sponsored by the Psi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, will begin Sunday night, January 19, and continue through Saturday, January 25. The purpose of Alpha Week, according to Alpha Phi Alpha Program Chair Sean Gumbs, is twofold. The chapter planned it to coincide with the national celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, to celebrate his memory. But the week also coincides with the anniversary of the Psi chapter's founding, January 21, 1920. The Psi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha is based at the University, but encompasses a number of other area schools, including Villanova University, Drexel University and St. Joseph's University. Events during the week will take place at both Villanova and the University. Gumbs added that the open nature of the week reflected the nature of Alpha Phi Alpha itself. "The fraternity works toward social change," Gumbs said. "We're trying to get the groups on campus together, while still meeting our committment to the African-American community." On Sunday night at 8 p.m., Alpha Phi Alpha will sponsor a candlelight vigil and procession in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. The procession will walk from DuBois College House to College Green and back. DuBois House will host a reception afterwards. No specific Alpha Week activities are scheduled for Monday, January 20, due to the University-wide commemoration of King. On Tuesday, January 21, Alpha Phi Alpha will hold a lecture at Villanova titled, "The Politics of Rap: Racism, Culture and Violence." There will be two speakers: Joseph Eure, a University alumnus and the co-author of the book, Nation Conscious Rap: The Hip Hop Vision; and Del Jones, the author of Culture Bandits. The lecture will take place at the Mendel Physics Lecture Hall at Villanova at 7:30 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public. This event at Villanova, Gumbs said, will allow the University community the chance to see different campuses and different people. A lecture titled, "AIDS: A Personal and Realistic View," will be held at DuBois College House on Wednesday, January 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose room. Kevin Dickerson, who is HIV-positive, will talk about his experiences and struggles with the disease. Gumbs said he would "really recommend" that members of the University community attend this event, due to its timely and important nature. Admission to the event will be free. "It will be really hard-hitting and emotional," Gumbs said. On Thursday, January 23, the fraternity will present the Adelphia Repertory Touring Company's play, Black Man/Black Woman at the Underground Cafe. The play, according to Gumbs, is "a controversial play about love and trust." Gumbs stressed that the performance is being held at the Underground Cafe to ensure "as much diversity as possible." "We want people of all races to be able to see the richness of our culture," Gumbs said. The doors to the cafe will open at 8 p.m., and the free performance will begin at 9 p.m. On Friday, January 24, Alpha Phi Alpha will co-sponsor the Annual Charity Basketball Game, to raise money for a Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship. The event is co-sponsored by the four other members of the Bi-Cultural InterGreek Council of fraternities and sororities, as well as Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Incorporated. The event will also include a slam dunk and three point competition. The game will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Weightmen Hall on 33rd Street. Admission will be one dollar. On Saturday, January 25, the final event of the week will be Alpha Phi Alpha's seventh annual formal,"The Cabaret: Unforgettable." The event will include a fashion show, entertainment, and a jazz band. Tickets are $12 per person, $20 per couple, and will be sold both at the door and on the Walk during Alpha Week. The event will be "open to everybody", according to Gumbs. "We encourage everybody to attend all programs, truly and honestly," Gumbs said. "That's what we strive towards."