Bill Cosby and Malcolm-Jamal Warner Launches Duets & Dialogues Series at CAAM | June 11th, 2010

Los Angeles – The California
African American Museum (CAAM) has played host to some of Los
Angeles’ most culturally significant events over the last 30 years. From
art openings to book signings to vintage film screenings, CAAM has
shone a fresh perspective on the rich traditions and legacy of African
American art, history and culture.

 

On Friday, June 11,
2010, CAAM will set yet another precedent with the launch of
its new series, Duets & Dialogues featuring
television’s most beloved father and son duo, Bill Cosby
and Malcolm-Jamal Warner.  Produced by Friends, the
Foundation of the California African American Museum as a fundraiser for
CAAM, this great evening will begin with dinner from 5:30 p.m.
to 6:45 p.m. followed from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
by conversation between Cosby and Warner before a general audience with
a closing question and answer session.  KNBC-TV’s Morning News Anchor Chris
Schauble will serve as program host for this special
evening.  

A limited number of dinner/reserved
seat program/post-program dessert tickets are available for $150. 
General admission tickets for $50.00 include program and post-program
desserts.  CAAM is located at 600 State Drive in Exposition Park, in
Los Angeles.  Parking is available at Figueroa and 39th Streets for $10
per vehicle.

 

“We are extremely excited to have the very distinguished
Bill Cosby, alongside Malcolm-Jamal Warner for the launch of our series,
Duets & Dialogues,” states Charmaine
Jefferson, executive director of
CAAM.  “Our program is designed to pair African American celebrities of
note and accomplishment in a setting that allows the easy flow of
memories and thoughtful examinations of the present and the future.  For
so many of us, Cosby is a pivotal role model within the African
American community and beyond. His television role as father to Theo,
played by Warner on ‘The Cosby Show,’ continues to speak volumes to
generations of sons and fathers, and Mr. Cosby regularly uses his
celebrity to keep asking our young people to be all that they can be.”

  

“And then there is the extremely talented
Malcolm-Jamal Warner,” Ms. Jefferson continued. “We all  watched
Malcolm-Jamal Warner grow into an accomplished and talented young man
in his own right.  Whether it
is his project selection as a director and actor, or the power of the
messages and composition in his brand of jazz and hip-hop style music,
Warner is impressive in the scope and range of his talent and human
generosity….and we would have expected nothing less.  We know the dialogue
from this duet will be stimulating, thought provoking and
entertaining.” 

 

Internationally renowned comedian,
actor, philanthropist and activist,  William H.  Cosby, Jr., Ed.D. has
dazzled generations of fans with his comedy routines, iconic albums,
best-selling books and the groundbreaking television hit series, “The
Cosby Show.”  Perhaps his greatest contribution to American
entertainment and culture, “The Cosby Show,” portrayed a close-knit,
upper class black family and dominated the #1 spot for years, earning
popular and critical praise and altering the previous characterization
of black families.   

 

Actor,  spoken word artist,
poet, composer and musician Malcolm-Jamal Warner first rose to national
prominence starring in “The Cosby Show.”  He has continued to achieve
success as an actor, but also has received accolades as a poet and bass
player.    A seasoned director as well, Warner directed several episodes
of “The Cosby Show” along with the comedy series “Malcolm & Eddie,”
 “All That,” “Keenan & Kel,” and a host of music videos. He can be
heard on the audio book version of Simon & Schuster’s “Fatherhood”
by Bill Cosby.  Warner also heads his own band Miles Long and
independently distributes their CD’s, “The Miles Long Mix Tape” and
“Love and Other Social Issues,” both of which are extremely popular in
the underground music scene. 

 

Both men have recognized CAAM
in the past, Cosby supported and made a performance appearance with his
friend Sammy Davis, Jr. at the public opening of CAAM
in its then new building back in 1984.  Warner and his band Miles Long
have twice headlined CAAM’s once a month family performance series Target
Sundays at CAAM. 

 

The California African American Museum (CAAM) researches,
collects, preserves and interprets for public enrichment the history,
art and culture of African Americans.  In addition to Duets &
Dialogues, the CAAM galleries will be open on June 11 to showcase
CAAM’s current exhibits which include Dance Theatre of Harlem, Forty
Years of Firsts, Our Love of John T. Scott, and the Gallery of
Discovery.  CAAM’s newest exhibition, How We Roll, will open
July 22, 2010 and feature a glimpse into the African American influences
in the surfing, skating and very contemporary skateboarding culture. 

 

Chartered by the California State Legislature in 1977, the
California African American Museum is a state supported institution. In
addition to its permanent collection, CAAM hosts specially borrowed and
self-curated exhibitions, free public and school-age education programs,
and tours CAAM-owned exhibitions throughout California and the nation.
 Admission to CAAM is generally free and open to the public, Tuesday
through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm.   

 

Friends, the
Foundation of the California African American Museum is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization that exists to provide resources, staffing,
programming and exhibition resources in support of CAAM’s mission. 
Net proceeds from this June 11^th Duets &
Dialogues program will benefit and further the collections, programs and exhibitions of the California African
American Museum. 

 

Explore the California African
American Museum’s offerings at http://www.caamuseum.org. For general CAAM
information call (213) 744-7432. 

 

This event may be captured on film for archival purposes. 
Attendance includes permission to be a part of this documentation
process.

 

Duets & Dialogues is produced by
Friends, the Foundation of the California African American
Museum.  Program Director, Charles Reese/Teeth &
Eyes Communications.