Awards to be given for Bunk Fest honorees

BY CHRISTI LANDRY THE DAILY IBERIAN

The observances and events honoring the late Bunk Johnson will continue Wednesday with the annual Bunk Fest Awards Celebration.

Several local citizens will be honored for contributions in their respective fields during the ceremony, which will begin at 6 p.m. at the Iberia Parish Library’s main branch on Main Street.

“This is an opportunity to recognize our own. Many times we don’t get to have an opportunity like this. Annually, in conjunction with the library, the board takes an opportunity to recognize the people who have made contributions to this area,” said John Reedom, with the Bunk Johnson Jazz, Arts and Heritage Festival Organization.

The gala will be a celebration of arts and talent featuring music and a discussion with Dr. Alex Marshall, a noted theater director, actor and teacher.

“With over 60 plays directed in venues throughout the United States, Dr. Marshall brings extensive knowledge to this program,” said Susan Hester Edmonds, the library’s community relations director.

“His long and successful teaching career includes terms as professor of theater at Grambling University, Hampton University, Mississippi Valley State University and Dillard University. He is the current adjunct professor of theater at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette,” Edmonds said.

In addition to his keynote speaker duties, Marshall will also be recognized as the 2007 recipient of the Literary Award.

Each year, the awards ceremony notes the accomplishments of those in the arts. Reedom said those recognized this year are each deserving of their respective honor and have each touched the community in some way.

Other honorees include:

  • Launder Roy, who will be posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame.

  • Former St. Martinville Mayor Eric Martin will receive the Humanitarian Award.

  • Alaina O. Currie and Margo Baker will each receive the Visual Arts Award.

  • Kay Charpentier Greene will receive the Minister of Music Award.

  • The Rochelle Family will receive the Newcomers Award.

  • The Hebert Family will receive the Ambassador Award.

  • Dennis Broussard will receive the Band Director Award.

    Reedom said, this year, the two families are being recognized for their collective talents.

    “It’s because of their musical abilities, and music extends through the family. I guess it’s the year of the family,” Reedom said.

    “Every year names are submitted to us of people who are considered deserving in various categories, and we have identified them,” he said. “We want to recognize them and encourage them to continue.”

    The Bunk Fest 2007 events will continue Thursday with the production of “Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years” presented by the Teche Players.

    The play chronicles the life and times of the late Sarah “Sadie” and Elizabeth “Bessie” Delany, sisters who lived well past 100 years. The sisters wrote “Having Our Say,” which follows the sisters growing up in the South, living in Harlem and living the remainder of their lives in New York.

    The show begins at 7 p.m. at the Sliman Theater. Admission is $10 per person.

    The festival will conclude Sunday beginning with a Jazz Brunch Concert featuring a jazz band in the St. Edward Cafetorium from 8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Following the brunch, there will be a procession to St. Edward Catholic Church for a jazz Mass.

    Once the jazz Mass ends, there will be a jazz funeral procession to Bunk Johnson’s grave in St. Edward Church Cemetery on Dale Street. After a short ceremony at the grave, participants will second line back to the church. The public is invited to attend.

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