Renaissance House Writers Retreat Has July 4 Frederick Douglass Reading at Martha's Vineyard Beach

Renaissance House: A Retreat for Writers and Other Artists in historic Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard celebrates July 4th at 4pm with a free pot luck picnic and group reading of Frederick Douglass's famous speech "What Does The Fourth of July Mean to a Negro?" on the Little Bridge on State Beach in Oak Bluffs.

"The year is 1852, slavery of black people is still in effect. In Rochester, NY, Frederick Douglass is invited to speak about what the fourth of July means for slaves. He is in a bind. He praises the American founding fathers yet, he must condemn slavery," explained Abigail McGrath, founder of Renaissance House. "Remember, Douglass had escaped from slavery. In the speech, he tells the audience that they have gathered to celebrate the Fourth of July, but he reminds them, without being bitter, that the nation is young, and, like a young child, it is still impressionable and capable of positive changes."

Fred Collins, a longtime cultural advocate in Oak Bluffs, will start the readings. The program will continue with members from the audience reciting passages from Frederick Douglass' historic speech. The will also be a pot luck dinner, where people are invited to share their favorite dishes.

"Renaissance House is located in Oak Bluffs, an historic black community. It was inspired by cousins Helene Johnson and Dorothy West, writers from the Harlem Renaissance," said McGrath. "To celebrate the Fourth of July, it is important for Renaissance House to explore the words of writer Frederick Douglass on his thoughts of this important American holiday."

Renaissance House Retreat provides writers and artists with a subsidized retreat away from life's responsibilities and the space in which to create new works of art. Renaissance House is one of the few retreats designed for issue-oriented writers, writers of color and writers of social justice."

Renaissance House Fellows for 2013 include Afaa Michael Weaver, Pushcart Award-winning poet, playwright and director of the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Center at Simmons College. In addition, Renaissance House holds a weekly salon series that is free to the public and is sponsored by the Helene Johnson and Dorothy West Foundation For Artists In Need. It is held at 31 Pennacook Avenue in Oak Bluffs. Dessert is served after each salon.

From July to August, the Renaissance House Salon Series will host a free memoir writing workshop with Susan Klein on Mondays and on Tuesdays there will be guest speakers.

The Renaissance House Salon Series schedule is:

7:30 PM Monday, July 8, Susan Klein, Memoir Writing
7:30 PM Tuesday, July 9, Shana Mahaffey, Surviving as a Writer

7:30 PM Monday, July 15, Susan Klein, Memoir Writing
7:30 PM Tuesday, July 16, Holly Nadler, How To Blossom From the Shadow Of Your Husband

7:30 PM Monday, July 22, Susan Klein, Memoir Writing
7:30 PM Tuesday, July 23, Cynthia Riggs, Mysterious Matters

7:30 PM Monday, July 29, Susan Klein, Memoir Writing
7:30 PM Tuesday, July 30, Jessica Harris, Food As Thought

7:30 PM Monday, August 5, Susan Klein, Memoir Writing
7:30 PM Tuesday, August 6, TBA

The Renaissance House Salon Series and July 4 programs are free and open to the public. Please RSVP for a reservation. For more information call Renaissance House at 917-747-0367.

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